Winterizing thread - the first of many!

[RIJIMMY]

I hate to bring this up now as we approach some of the best fishing but I am trying to plan ahead. I just got the rate sheet for winter storage from my marina and I'd rather not pay them another dime. Boat is a 20" center console
Here is my first round of questions.....some may be stupid but...

1. If I shrink wrap the boat, is it ok to leave the motor and all controls on it? This assumes I winterize the motor.
2. Do I remove the batteries and keep them charged over the winter on a remote charger?
3. If I store the boat on a trailer over the winter, do I just leave it as is or do I put the trailer on blocks, lifting the tires off the ground?
4. Do you fill any of the hoses or drains with anti-freeze?

Thats it for now, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[zacs]

WHY ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT THIS NOW?!?!?!

When its time, we will tow the boat to your house, or I have a place you can keep it down here. (personally i would rather have it at my house, but i don't know your situation up there)

MTC will take care of you for shrinkwrap and anything else you don't want to do.

Don't give those thieves another penny.

to answer your questions, controls and motor stay on, bats come off, some block, some don't, anti-freeze - depends, but usually yes.

[MTC]

nice plug zacs....

[Gary]

If you can post the specs on what you have, ill make a list, I.E 2/4 stroke, fresh/saltwater washdowns head ect.

[zacs]

Originally Posted by MTC

nice plug zacs....

hey, you did me right last december......

[fishaholic18]

Clean it, cover it and let it sit, anything else you do is a waste. It wont be stting long enough to matter.

[daceman63]

shrink wrapping is up to you. I have friends who hate it and others who love it. I have a friend who shrink wraps mine so no biggie there for me.

Take the batteries out. Set them on wood not concrete.

as for the rest...more info is needed. I have an I/O so the drive gets re-done with all the seals and fluids..I do an oil change with filters and fog out the motor, reove the thermostat, drain the block and fill with anti-freeze.

It's a nice time for a good cleaning and a nice coat of wax.

In the spring I drain the block, new thermostat and gaskets, new oil change and filters....touch up paint and whatever else is needed. whatever...

[RIJIMMY]

Zac, Im a project manager, I get paid to worry about things way in advance!

MTC, I'll send ya a PM.

The motor is an Evinrude outboard, 150hp.

[Clammer]

F-18
is close / but no need to do those two things either //

no wash ,clean , or any other waste of time & money


there ain,t any motor out there >>>>>>>>> with all your time & money spent >>>> that runs better than mine // & mine [NEVER} comes out of the water >>>>>>>>

been doing it this way for over 30 years /argue this

[fish4striper]

Originally Posted by Clammer

there ain,t any motor out there >>>>>>>>> with all your time & money spent >>>> that runs better than mine // & mine [NEVER} comes out of the water >>>>>>>>

You jb weld that lower unit back on?


Mines brand new and it already died once and needed repair due to shifter, thank god for warranties

[Scrounger]

Get motor at running temperature and use fogging oil heavily until motor chokes out ...if it doesnt choke out totally (mine does not) keep spraying til its coughing and shut it down....remove plugs one at a tiime and spray foggin oil directly into the cylinder and replace ...I use a a water displacement oil (wd 40) and spray all wires, connectors and moving parts on the motor....replace the fuel filter and dont forget the Stabil in the gas tank....i use a heavy duty tarp and cinder blocks to cover....my trailer stays on the ground.....Good idea to use up as much fuel as possible before winterizing ....batteries come out but do not leave on the ground...mine go on milkcrates so they dont discharge... dont forget the lower unit oil when you open it up in the spring... Have fun

[Clammer]

the only things that has ever happen /was snapping the old telefix /trying to steer when it was frozen ;;;;

My lower unit problems happen in season & that,s bouncing off rocks, bridges, channel markers

[striperman36]

Anybody routinely:
Change thermostats, impeller
Check the compression pressure on cylinders

[Clammer]

WTF

You guys ARE really nuts ;;;


I,d love to fish near you all //

no scratches / dings / cracks / F $%^&*(
the commercial guys would love blowing you all outter places // But 2nd thought /you probably wouldn,t go there in the first place ;;

What do you do different with your car/ truck >. in the winter >>>>>>>>>> hide it & take the F $%^&*() bus ;;

RIJ same stupid ass questions every F #$%^&* fall you just started too months early >>>>>>>>> Going down Wickforf tonight to slove your concerns

[ProfessorM]

LOL

[RIJIMMY]

ouch..........

I think you need a trip with me to catch some bluefish!

[zacs]

Originally Posted by Clammer

WTF

You guys ARE really nuts ;;;


I,d love to fish near you all //

no scratches / dings / cracks / F $%^&*(
the commercial guys would love blowing you all outter places // But 2nd thought /you probably wouldn,t go there in the first place ;;

What do you do different with your car/ truck >. in the winter >>>>>>>>>> hide it & take the F $%^&*() bus ;;

RIJ same stupid ass questions every F #$%^&* fall you just started too months early >>>>>>>>> Going down Wickforf tonight to slove your concerns

RIJ isn't afraid to bounce off a rock or two. This I have witnessed.

[Clammer]

F $%^&*( the bloofish >>>>> they even invaded the F/W ponds ;;

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by zacs

RIJ isn't afraid to bounce off a rock or two. This I have witnessed.

Don't forget my smooooth control of the throttle