[h2o]

Fill the fuel tanks and add the appropriate amount of stabilizer. Run the engine longenough to get treated gas into the fuel line and engine.
2. Flush the cooling system. Also remove block plugs and drain all water. This removes sediment and rust flakes. Pump in anti-freeze to avoid trapped ice pockets. Use non-toxic stuff.
3. Fog the engine with oil to prevent rust. Make sure to spray some oil into the cylinders through the spark plug holes once the engine is cool. Good time to check spark-plugs also.
4. Replace oil and oil filter.
5. Change the lower unit gear case. Even a little water trapped in the gear case can cause damage.
6. Check props for nicks even slight damage can hinder performance. Worse yet blade damage can cause vibrationl damaging other engine parts.
7. Store outboards in up-right position. Consider having water pump impeller replaced every two or three years. The rubber will get stiff and break off.
8. Spray a moisture displacing lubricant onto electrical terminals and fuse panel. Read label and make sure it's safe for electrical components.
9. Inspect steering systems. Tighten if loose.
10. Clean the backfire flame arrester with carborator cleaner.
11. Clean boat inside and out and cover when stored even indoors, Allow air circulation to prevent mildew.
12. Drain water from the bilges and leave the transom drain plug out.
13. Hang life jackets up to air out.
14. Examine trailer tires and grease the wheel bearings, Check bulbs and electrical contacts on the plugs as well as sockets. Spray contacts with a moisture displacing lubricant and wrap electrical tape around the plugs to keep them dry.
15. Put the trailor on blocks and remove tires to prolong rubber live and HINDER BOAT THIEVES... <----h2o says biggie

16. CHECK THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR TIPS THAT ARE PARTICULAR TO YOUR OWN BRAND OF BOAT ENGINE AND TRAILOR.

Take the time to do this right, ONLY YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR INTEREST. Don't fall victum to a expensive start up season and worst of all a delay in getting that boat in the water next year.

H2o<-----------says do it right or don't do it at all......

 

[Bassneck]

QUOTE14. Examine trailer tires and grease the wheel bearings, Check bulbs and electrical contacts on the plugs as well as sockets. Spray contacts with a moisture displacing lubricant and wrap electrical tape around the plugs to keep them dry.

Torque the wheel lugs before hauling the boat.

 

[Alex]

Great list...one add - grease all your fittings

Also, is it still advised to fill the fuel tank to the top? I've heard this was no longer the recommended practice.

 

[No More Mini]

Filling the tank will help prevent condensation (water in fuel)......not good. Either way add fuel stabilzer.

Mini

 

[Just One More]

I've heard mixed responses on that gas issue as well. I figure, it can't hurt to fill it up as long as you add enough stabilizer. But I am not winterizing yet. I just bought a new boat, and I see some days coming in the 60s. I have to get it out at least once

 

[No More Mini]

I think it is still too early to winterize.....if you have an aoutboard, just make sure you drain it completely. It is best to store it perfectly vertical. Alos dont for get to blow out your livewell and bilge lines.....they will freeze too.

I have fished as late as Xmas on Clair from a boat.

Mini

 

[h2o]

Oh yes it's to early to winterize but not to early to think about it. I've wraped my motor with a electric blanket before being in denial of winterizing. LOL... Take it to the limit but be careful as tempertures are expected to drop next week. Also if you suspect the motor is froze just don't start it until your positive it's thawed. Also go around and tighten everything you can. Putting damp rid, in the boat like 4 containers helps of course with moisture and i've heard also with vermone. Mice don't like that smell. You can blow out your fittings at the gas station tire pressure hose. You just need a small pipe to release the air, or a device that will allow you to pass the air.

PLEASE ADD ANY HINT OR STEP TO DO IN WINTERIZING,

h2o<-------say's let's learn together.. No problems next year.

 

[Just One More]

I have an I/O, but I'll pull the plug if it gets to cold. I've also heard controversy on fogging out the carb. Is that recommended? I think you covered most everything h2o. Some of that stuff I do in the spring. But if I think of anything else, I'll add it. I am still learnng too. In fact, my new boat has a closed cooling system. I am still not exactly sure on how the antifreeze is separate from the water. I haven't gotten a chance to really get into it yet
Wow Mini!! You are a die hard

The only thing that scares me about that time of year is the cold water temps. Sure wouldn't want something to happen & end up in the water. Buuuurrrrrrrr

 

[h2o]

Just One More: If you concerned about the fogging with your boat research that and be sure... I'm sure your resourceful on the. But Make sure.

Also to everyone, unless your absolutely positive you got every drop of water out of your bilge pump, just remove it and take it indoors. It's easy to do disconnect two hose's and two wire's on most bilge's, and this way it won't freeze and crack. Also the pump for the live-wells. They won't freeze if there in your house.

h2o<-----------wants everyone to be problem free next year.

 

[boatnfish]

For myself I will empty the fuel tanks as much as possible. I have heard the saying about condensation, but I would rather have fresh fuel in the spring. Beside, that is what the fuel separator is supposed to do.

I found out the hard way, disconnect the hose to your speedometer and water pressure gauges right behind them. I didn't that one year and in the spring found that both were pegged and had to be replaced. When the water froze in the lines it then bent the springs in those.

 

[Just One More]

I'll check on that h2o. One place told me to fog it, but I am going to double check. I didn't think of blowing out the bilge. Good idea. What are water pressure gauges? I am assuming I don't have any, because there are no hoses running out the back of the transom.

 

[djkimmel]

I was told NOT to fog Opti-Max by service at D&R Sports. I don't know for a fact if that is true with all years of Opti's...but of course, I don't have to worry about doing that anymore, do I? Heck, I don't have to worry about winterizing an outboard right now period...

 

[Alex]

QUOTE(h2o @ Oct 17 2003, 01:46 PM)Also to everyone, unless your absolutely positive you got every drop of water out of your bilge pump, just remove it and take it indoors. It's easy to do disconnect two hose's and two wire's on most bilge's
Yeah that's the easy part, getting to it is the hard part..remove oil tank, remove batt charger, unscrew support plate, contort torso and lean down into bilge.

My pumps are a pain in the arse to get to. There staying in.

Also never thought of disconnecting the speedo hose. That would explain why I'm always going 52mph no matter the RPMS's

You guys will probably think I'm a sissy, but I just haul mine up Jan's and have them do it. Takes all the worry out of it. Plus, when I go to fire it up in the Spring, if she blows I have someone to blame.

I do all the regular mainatence stuff though, just don't like to winterize. Me = wimp.

 

[Alex]

Dan forgot you were w/o a motor. I guess you won't be fishing Sunday....oops

 

[h2o]

LOL Why not tear the boat apart for those bilge pumps Alex...LOL Your smart by letting them winterize. But don't cry to hard when you leave your baby with the baby sitter.... LOL

h2o<-------says good job Alex !!!!!!!

 

[h2o]

Looks like there calling off the freezing temps for now.. Also looks like on 11/1/03 It just might be 70. Indian summer in full bloom. We just might be able to postpone winterizing for awhile...

h2o<---------says yipeeeeeee !!!!! awesome

 

[bobrob]

QUOTE(h2o @ Oct 17 2003, 12:46 PM)

Just One More: If you concerned about the fogging with your boat research that and be sure... I'm sure your resourceful on the. But Make sure.

Also to everyone, unless your absolutely positive you got every drop of water out of your bilge pump, just remove it and take it indoors. It's easy to do disconnect two hose's and two wire's on most bilge's, and this way it won't freeze and crack. Also the pump for the live-wells. They won't freeze if there in your house.

h2o<-----------wants everyone to be problem free next year.
instead of removing and trying to get in tight spot hanging and reaching in bilge i pour blue engine winterizer in bilge and pump it out that way it goes though the pump. wrks for me any thing to make life easy.

 

[grasslakebasspro]

I will winterize my Ranger and Opti once I return from the BFL Wild Card tournament in Alabama in three weeks. I too, will have the mechanic do it so I know it is done right...

 

[h2o]

Looks like freezing weather early next week, take the nesseccary precautions!!!!!!!! OUCH. Soon the ice fishing will start.

h2o<---------says don't freeze up and if you do let it thaw before starting. No what your doing...

 

[jeffff]

I always let Bill up at Rose Marine do my winterizing, etc. It's a great luxury. I drive up to his dock and walk away. Next spring, I'll come back, and he'll have it sitting in the water, ready to go.

The yachting life in a 17-foot boat!