Winterizing Tips
Unfortunately, the boating season is winding down and it is time to start thinking about protecting your valuable recreational asset. The time and effort you spend now will have a definite effect on your boat’s performance, or lack of it, and certainly save you time, effort and money come spring. The team at Redden Marine Supply has all the knowl- edge and products to help you prepare your boat for the winter months ahead. Stop by or visit us online and our team will gladly help you find everything you need to prepare your boat for the winter months ahead
Your first step in winterizing should be to make a checklist of all items that need to be accomplished. Check the owner’s manual of your boat and motor(s) for manufacturer’s recommendations on winterization. If you are a new boat owner, perhaps you should consider hiring a professional to do the job. With a little thought and preparation towards winterizing your boat this year, you’ll be ahead of the game next year. The following is a generic outline of a winterizing task list.
Inboard Engines
Always run the engines to warm it up and change the oil while it is warm. This tends to allow impurities to be drained away with the oil. You should also change the oil filters. We offer top brand marine oils, lubes and filters. Next, flush the engines with fresh water. You should then circulate antifreeze through the mani- fold by using a pickup hose from the water pump to a bucket of antifreeze or use Camco Do-it-yourself winterize kit and a motor flusher. Start the engine and allow the antifreeze to circulate until water starts to exit the exhaust. This process will vary slightly depending on whether you have a “Raw Water” cooling system or an “Enclosed Fresh Water” cooling system. For more specific information on cool- ing systems, there are many available resources online. While you’re in the en- gine room remove spark plugs and use Starbrite or Sierra Marine ‘fogging oil’ to spray into each cylinder. It is a good time to replace your spark plugs and spray down the engine with Corrosion Block spray to block moisture and corrosion.
Stern Drives
You should thoroughly inspect the stern drive and remove any plant life or barna- cles from the lower unit. Drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture in the oil. This could indicate leaking seals and should be repaired. Clean the lower unit with soap and water. If your stern drive has a rubber boot, check it for cracks or pinholes. Grease all fittings with Corrosion Block grease and check fluid levels in hydraulic steering or lift pumps. Check with your owner’s manual for additional recommendations by the manufacturer.
Outboard Engines
Flush engine with fresh water using a motor flusher or similar device attached to the raw water pickup. Let all water drain from the engine. Wash engine down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Disconnect fuel hose and run engine until it stops. It is important to follow a step by step process to make sure that all fuel is drained from the carburetor to prevent build-up of deposits from evaporat- ed fuel. Use fogging oil in the cylinders to lubricate the cylinder walls and pistons. Apply corrosion/water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads. Change the gear oil in the lower unit. Don’t forget the outboard housing and put some shine on it with Mermaid or Starbrite maintenance products.
Fuel
Fill your fuel tanks to avoid a buildup of condensation over the winter months. Add a fuel stabilizer which protects against corrosion, cleans fuel injectors, carburetors and stabilizes fuel during storage. Change the fuel filters and water separators
Bilges
Make sure the bilges are clean and dry. Use soap,hotwaterandastiffbrushtocleanupanyoil spills. Once the bilges are clean,spray with a moisture displacing lubricant like Corrosion Block and add a little antifreeze to prevent any water from freezing.
Fresh Water Systems
Completely drain the fresh water tank and hot water heater. Isolate the hot water heater by dis- connecting the in and out lines and connect them together. This would be the time to invest in a Camco water heater by-pass kit. Pump non-toxic antifreeze into the system and turn on all the facets including the shower and any wash-down areas until you see the antifreeze coming out.
Head
Pump out the holding tank at an approved facility. While pumping, add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times. Use Thetford Supreme Green crystals or whatever your owner’s manual recommends, let the product sit for a few minutes. Again add fresh water and pump out again. Add antifreeze and pump through hoses, holding tank, y-valve, macerator and dis- charge hose. Again, check your owner’s manual to make sure that alcohol-based antifreeze won’t damage your system.
Interior
Once you have taken care of the system you should remove any valuables, electronics, lines, PFD, fire extinguishers, flares, fenders, etc. Over the winter these items can be cleaned, checked andreplacedasnecessary. Open alldrawers and lockers and clean thoroughly. Turn cushions up on edge so that air is able to circulate around them or, better yet, bring them home to a climate controlled area. Open and clean the refrigerator and freezer. To keep your boat dry and mildew-free you might want to install a dehumidifier like the Caframo Stor-Dry Blower. The Stor-Dry blower works by circulating warm air and uses extremely low watts. If no electricity is available use moisture and odor absorbing products like Dri-Z-Air crystals or Damp Rid.
Out Of Water Storage
Pressure wash hull, clean barnacles off props and shafts, rudders, struts and trim tabs. Clean all thru-hulls and strainers. Open seacocks to allow any water to drain. Check the hull for blisters and if you find any that should be attended to you might want to open them to drain over the winter. While you’re at it, why not give the hull a good wax job? It is probably best to take the batteries out of the boat and take them home and either put them on a trickle charger or charge them every 30-60 days.
In Water Storage
Close all seacocks and check rudder shafts and stuffing boxes for leaks tighten or repack as necessary. Check your battery to make sure it is fully charged, clean terminals, and add water if necessary, make sure your charging system is working. Check bilge pumps to ensure they are working and that float switches properly activate the pumps and that they are not hindered by debris. Make sure either to check your boat periodically or have the marina check it and report to you.
By following some of the above suggestions, you should be in good shape for the winter. Do not, however, neglect to consult your owner’s manuals for manufacture’s recommendations on winterizing your boat and other systems. If you have not done a winterization job before or don’t have an experienced friend to rely on seek out a professional to do the job for you. Redden Marine Supply Inc or its affiliates have made every effort to ensure that the information presented on this is free from error. However, the information contained on this document is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your Boat and or Motor manufactures service manual.
