Primary checklist when winterizing a boat:
- Drain the engine block, manifold, circulating pump and coolers of water to prevent freezing and cracking
- Fill the engine block, manifold and circulating pump with antifreeze
- Burn as much fuel as possible then add fuel stabilizer to help prevent phase separation
- Fog the engine cylinders
- Spray entire engine with anticorrosion treatment
- Clean fuel screens and replace fuel filter
- Change oil and oil filter
- Change the gear case lube
- Be sure all water is removed from any additional systems and reservoirs
- Remove the drain plug (s)
- Cover and store your boat for the winter
When should I winterize my Boat?
Boat Winterization – If you live in an area that has cold temperatures, then you should always winterize your boat. The best time to winterize your boat is right before the first freeze of the year. Most people wait to long to winterize their boat and it puts their engine at risk. So a rule of thumb is, if you are not going to use your boat ...
What happens if you forget to winterize Your Boat?
If you do not winterize your boat, any water droplets left could freeze, expand, and crack the components they were in. This could cause anything from blowing off a hose to completely ruining your engine. When it comes to winterizing a boat, this is not a procedure that you want to miss.
What does it cost to winterize an inboard boat?
What You’ll Need
- Water hose
- Water source; a faucet will do
- Inboard motor flusher; also called muffs
- Antifreeze; around 5 gallons
- Container for the antifreeze
- Fogging oil spray
- Screwdriver
- Anti-corrosive or anti-rust spray
- Cleaning cloth
- Cleaning Materials (optional):
How much do you pay for winterizing?
What Influences Campsite Prices?
- State Taxes. Some states let you shop tax-free while others don’t. ...
- Campground Amenities. When some campgrounds have the word “resort” in their name, they really mean it. ...
- Time of Year. ...
- State Pricing. ...
- Type of RV. ...
- Duration of Your Stay. ...
- Extra Passengers/Stuff. ...
Can I winterize my boat myself?
You need to run antifreeze through the system to get it properly winterized. Winterizing antifreeze can be run through the system to clear out any water present. You'll want to check in on your boat periodically over the winter to ensure that it is in good condition.
How long does winterizing a boat take?
about 4 hoursFirst things first, how long does it take to winterize a boat? Well, depending on your experience, it should take you about 4 hours to complete the task.
What is the average cost of winterizing a boat?
The average cost of winterizing a boat is around $300. This average cost can change depending on your location. Professional fees can also vary. This average can go down to as little as $150 if you have a smaller boat, around $500 if you have a bigger one, or want to invest in other winterizing accessories.
Do you have to winterize boat every year?
Boats kept ashore must be winterized, and it must be done earlier than if they were in the water because dropping temperatures will affect them sooner. Wherever you end up keeping your boat, if you do not plan to use it for a month or more, you need to winterize it.
What happens if you don't winterize boat?
If You Don't Winterize Your Boat, Here's What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it's trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines.
How do you start a boat after winterizing?
1:386:25De Winterizing boat engine - 1st START of the summer! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt will run at idle. And then we are going to shift it into forward make sure the prop moves willMoreIt will run at idle. And then we are going to shift it into forward make sure the prop moves will shift it back in a neutral verify the prop stops. And then we'll shift it to reverse.
Can you leave a boat outside in the winter?
So, can boats be stored outside in the winter? You can keep boats outside in the winter if you provide adequate protection against harsh weather. But you can't simply park the boat on your driveway as most people do during the boating season. Leaving your boat outside during the cold season can damage the boat.
Does an outboard motor need to be winterized?
If you want your engine to start in the spring and last you many years and plan on not using your engine all winter, you do have to winterize an outboard motor. Winterizing the engine helps to prevent damage during disuse, which is the chief cause for engine failure. Failing to winterize may lead to complications.
Should I leave my outboard motor up or down?
It's best to tilt your outboard up when leaving your boat in the water to prevent marine growth from forming and from corrosion eating away at its metal parts.
How much does winterization cost?
Average Cost to Winterize a HouseAverage Cost$200 - $250High Cost$700 - $1,000Low Cost$65Jan 18, 2022
At what temperature will a boat motor freeze?
At what temperature will a boat engine freeze? Unwinterized boat engines can freeze any time the air temperature is below 28°F (-2°C) - for an extended period. Freshwater cooled engines without proper coolant can freeze below 32°F (0°C). The good news is you can prevent freeze damage fairly easily.
What month should I winterize my boat?
When To Winterize Your Boat, According To RegionRegionWinterize?PeriodUS - Northeast CoastYesOctober - NovemberUS - Northwest CoastYesDecemberCalifornia / FloridaSometimesDependsThe UKYesSeptember4 more rows
Why do you winterize a boat?
Winterization procedures protect boat systems and gear from freeze damage.
What is the best way to cover a boat?
The Best Way to Cover Your Boat. In or out of the water, you’ll need to decide how to cover your boat. The idea is to protect from snow, ice, and UV rays all winter long. If you do the job on your own you have three basic cover types to choose from. Plastic Tarps - These are the least expensive option.
How long should a boat fuel tank sit?
As Ed Sherman makes clear in Winterizing Your Boat's Fuel Tank, when your boat will sit for more than two months leaving it filled to the brim may do more harm than good.
Does pressure water need antifreeze?
Winterizing Water Systems. Pressure-water plumbing is just one system that must have potable antifreeze run through it, to prevent freeze damage. If you’ve got a faucet, showerhead, washdown nozzle, or any other fixtures onboard that provides water—raw or fresh—the system will need to be prepped with antifreeze.
Is a fuel stabilizer needed for a boat?
Fuel Systems. Adding a fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank is a must at winterization time. Water is the enemy when it comes to fuel supply and storage systems on boats. That’s especially true if yours is a gasoline-powered boat with ethanol-blended fuel in the tank. Diesel fuel comes with its own set of challenges.
Can you winterize a Lectrasan?
If you have a LectraSan or other waste treatment device, there may be some special steps you need to take. In this case, winterize it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Make sure you use propylene glycol antifreeze when winterizing your boat's systems. Antifreeze made with ethylene glycol is highly toxic.
Where to store a boat?
The best place to store your boat is on land — winter storms or a failed thru-hull can't sink a boat that's not in the water. Cradles, jackstands, dry-stack storage, and trailers are your choices. Larger boats are usually stored ashore on jackstands. Make sure that the stands sit on plywood so they can't sink and that they are chained together so they can't slip away from the boat. If you store your boat on a trailer, you'll extend the life of the tires if you take the load off of them with blocks. It also makes it harder to steal your boat.
What happens when water freezes?
Not-so-fun fact: If your raw-water cooling system holds, say, 10 quarts of water, when it freezes, there will suddenly be an extra quart inside under great pressure, with nowhere to go. It's enough pressure to destroy a manifold, wreck a refrigerator, and even crack an engine block like an eggshell. The key, then, is to get water out of places where it will cause damage when it freezes.
Why does my boat have a blister?
Blisters typically happen when a boat is stored in water for a significant amount of time , causing the gel coating to disintegrate. Just as well, freezing temperatures can cause damage.
What is the freezing point of fresh water?
Seawater and freshwater have two different freezing points, though they aren’t that far apart. The freezing point for fresh water is about 32 degrees F and the freezing point for saltwater is about 28.4 degrees F.
Do you need to drain your boat before winter?
Your boat’s freshwater and sanitation system will need to be drained before winter hits, as it will definitely freeze and could possibly cause significant damage to the internal components of your boat.
What does winterizing a boat mean?
Winterizing a boat simply refers to performing certain preventative maintenance each year to ensure that your boat is ready for the next boating season and does not get damaged in any way when it gets below freezing.
What does winterizing a boat include?
As mentioned, there are several things that you have to do in order to fully winterize your boat for the off-season. What exactly must be done to your own boat varies, but below are the main things involved in winterizing a boat. The first on the list should be done each year, while others should be done if necessary.
Can I winterize my boat myself?
Absolutely! Winterizing a boat is not difficult, but if you’ve never done it before expect to spend some time watching YouTube videos and doing a bunch of research. As well as getting your hands dirty. So it could be rather time-consuming for someone who has never done it before and not great around engines.
Knowing when to winterize a boat
We’ve covered the steps involved in winterizing your boat, but how do you know when it’s time to winterize your boat?
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped to give you a high overview of what exactly is involved in winterizing a boat. If this is something you want to try and do yourself, then I suggest heading over to YouTube and searching up “how to winterize [insert your engine]”. You should get plenty of good results.
What is winterizing a boat?
Winterizing is more than just sloshing in some fuel stabilizer, draining the engine, and adding antifreeze. Consider it to be a methodical process that runs from bow to transom. Because boats and engines differ, start by checking the winterizing/storage sections of your owner's manual.
How to flush outboards?
Flush the engine with fresh water. Some outboards have an attachment for a garden hose to make the job easier. Otherwise, use "earmuffs" to reverse flush outboards and sterndrives. Idle the engine when flushing, making sure it doesn't overheat, until the water flushes clean.
Why do I need to refill my sterndrive?
Inboards and sterndrives require refilling with propylene glycol antifreeze to prevent small ice pockets from forming, which can crack the block. Gasoline breaks down in storage—the lighter factions evaporating off and the heavier ones forming a jet-clogging and injector-sticking varnish.
How to stop fogging oil when engine stops?
When the engine stops, pull the spark plugs and squirt some fogging oil into the cylinders. Rotate the engine a few times for a good oil coating and reinstall the plugs. An alternative is to disable the ignition and crank the engine while spraying fogging oil down the carb.
How long should I idle a fuel stabilizer?
Add fuel stabilizer to the tank and idle the engine for 10 to 20 minutes to distribute stabilizer throughout the system. To protect engine internals from rust and corrosion, remove the engine flame arrestor and spray fogging oil down the carburetor with the engine running.
How to fix a rusty engine?
Check the condition of all hoses and replace those that are mushy or that show cracks. Check the condition of the belts and adjust the tension if necessary. Touch up any paint nicks to prevent corrosion. Run the engine up to temperature and change the oil and filter. Flush the engine with fresh water.
What is the most dangerous time to be on a boat?
The winter months are easily the most dangerous months for your boat. Winter weather can wreak havoc (cracked blocks, corrosion, etc.) if your vessel isn't prepared for hibernation. If you think you can just get some professional help once spring rolls around, think again—you're hitting the boat doctor at his busiest time.
How to prepare a boat for winter?
In order to prepare your boat for winter, you must properly winterize the engine, clean the boat and do any necessary repairs, and store your boat in a manner that will protect it from the elements and preserve your investment. Make sure to follow all steps. Steps.
How to keep pistons from leaking on boat?
Spin the engine by hand several times to coat the spark plugs. Put the plugs back in but do not connect the wires . This will keep your boat's pistons from being subjected to air, dampness and other caustic materials when not in use. ...
How to connect antifreeze to water intake?
Leave your engine running after performing the fresh-water flush, disconnect your water hose, and connect a hose attached to a tank of antifreeze to your water intake instead.
How long to let an inboard motor idle?
Let the motor idle until you see antifreeze coming out of the exhaust outlet for at least 30 seconds. Replace the intake hose in the seacock. ...
How to get rid of white smoke from engine?
Alternatively, if you have completely drained the fuel from your engine, you can remove the spark plugs and spray fogging oil directly into the spark plug holes. Spin the engine by hand several times to coat the spark plugs.
How to prevent corrosion in engine?
3. Fog the engine cylinders and carburetor intakes. Coating the inside of your engine with fogging oil will help prevent corrosion. Check your owner’s manual or engine manufacturer’s instructions to determine the best type of fogging oil to use and the proper procedure for fogging your engine.
How to run an outboard motor in neutral water?
For older outboard motors, get a pair of boat engine “ear muffs” and attach them to the water intakes on your engine. Attach a water hose to the opening on the ear muffs, turn on the water, and let the engine run in neutral until the water runs out clean.
How to change oil on a sandbox?
Photo 1: Change your oil. Yank the dipstick. Then shove the suction hose down the dipstick tube and suck out all the old oil. Change out the oil filter and then refill the engine with fresh oil. Photo 2: Spray fogging oil down the carb.
How to remove hull plug on power steering cooler?
Don’t use an adjustable wrench—it will round off the shoulders on the brass plug. Loosen the hose clamp and remove the drain hose from the power steering cooler ( if it doesn’t have a drain plug). Locate and remove the block drain plug (s) at the bottom of the block.
Can you freeze a boat if you don't drain it?
An I/O is full of water. So if you don’t drain the water properly , it can freeze and cause major damage. However, if your boat will be in heated storage, you can skip the draining part. How to winterize a boat isn’t hard, but we have to warn you: If you skip a step or miss a drain plug, you could wind up with a repair bill ...
