winterizing

[Goose]

I'ld like to know how you salty boaters winterize your rigs?? or do you just pay someone to do it.

I was thinking of foggin my o/b, filling her up and add fuel stablizer, bringing the tires inside and throwing a tarp on her. I've never fogged the motor before, can I get some pointers??

What else??

[missing link]

me and my dad winterized our old boat yesterday and what i did with the fogging oil i spryed it in the carb till it died out... but this is on a i/o. i'll have my dad make a more detailed post.

[fishaholic18]

I change the gear oil in the lower unit,fog the engine(spray fogging oil into the carbs until engine starts billowing smoke and engine will be bogging),then remove spark plugs and spray some fogging oil in the cylinders. Then I lube all fittings and spray WD40 on engine and linkage(under the engine cover that is). I also add stabilizer to the fuel tank. Then I jack up the trailer and remove the wheels and if I feel ambitious,I repack the wheel bearings. I've always done it myself and never had any problems. Good luck.

[Clammer]

Tony , never winterized a boat in my life ===============even when it came out for the winter===
just charged the batteries,, I know that sounds stupid ,but I never had a problem ///
do you winterize your lawnmower or summerize your snowblower ???????????////

[MakoMike]

Clammer,
Always a good idea to "winterize" a two stroke engine if you're not going to use it for a while. The rings have tendency to bind to the cylinder walls if not properly lubed before layup nd that's not a good thing when you go to start it back up again. A month or so without use ain't a problem, the way you use your boat I wouldn't worry about it either. I would think that for you changing the lower unit oil would be more important, ust to make sure a seal didn't fail and you wind up getting ice in there and breaking the housing.

[Van]

Originally posted by fishaholic18
I change the gear oil in the lower unit,fog the engine(spray fogging oil into the carbs until engine starts billowing smoke and engine will be bogging),then remove spark plugs and spray some fogging oil in the cylinders. Then I lube all fittings and spray WD40 on engine and linkage(under the engine cover that is). I also add stabilizer to the fuel tank. Then I jack up the trailer and remove the wheels and if I feel ambitious,I repack the wheel bearings. I've always done it myself and never had any problems. Good luck.

I do everything fish-A does except the trailer wheels. I just put blocks next to the tire so when they loose air and fall a bit, its on blocks. I also flush the raw water sytem with pink antifreeze, and pour some into the cabin drain so it runs to the transom drain just for good measure. Oh,, and fill the tank to the top to prevent moisture and tank corrosion. (But add the Stabilizer first)

I have an on-board charger that I plug in a couple of times over the winter, that way I leave those VERY heavy batteries in place.

Good maintence=years of service.

Its cheap insurance and peace of mind.

[Got Stripers]

Goose I've got a step by step on it on my website, or it used to be there, it's not that difficult. I've never paid to have it done and I've owned a boat since 1987.

[MTC]

After you pull the bat's...pour some pink anti arount the bildge pump...this will save the float switch. Flush the engine and if it is a 4 stroke pull the plugs and spray some fogging oil. Gear oil is also a good idea and if it looks like milk you have water and should have it looked at before the spring. If this sounds to hard drop me an email...I have done 20 boats this fall but don't want to sound like I'm pushing my services on this website.

[Mr. Sandman]

It is not difficult...every has the right tone here. This year is the second time I am paying someone else to do it for me. I have done it for many years, it is not hard, takes a couple hours and some stuff.
If you leave in it the water all winter and use it from time to time you don't need to winterize anything. If you put it on land and leave it for months...it is a good idea to to the things everyone mentioned.

MTC: pour some pink stuff around the switch? what is this stuff. I have never done that. I always have problems with the float switch and just replace it each spring. This sounds interesting.

[Goose]

Thanks for all the helpful info. Saved a few bucks and did myself this weekend. Boat US has the kit for $10(on sale ) Can't wait for spring!