Winterizing your boat

[billmac]

I know it's early, even for the tip top of NY, but I'm wondering what should be done to winterize the boat, for those of you who have to.  I'm thinking this:

 

1. Drain lower unit.

2. Remove batteries and store in a warm place.

3. Remove fishfinder.

4. Open up all the drains, plugs, etc.

5. Use a watertight cover on the boat.

 

What about the fuel that might be left over?  What else did I miss?

[boostr]

Drain lower unit and fill with fresh lower unit oil

Fog the cylinders

Trim motor down as far as possible

Add Stabil or Startron to fuel if using ethonal based fuel

[billmac]

Had to look up fogging the cylinders.

[WRB]

Is the boat and trailer out in the elements?

Tom

[billmac]

33 minutes ago, WRB said:

Is the boat and trailer out in the elements?

Yes. It came with a cover, but it isn't much good.  I'll probably put a heavy duty tarp over the whole thing.

[WRB]

If it's isn't under a car port or some other covered shelter that protects it from snow or heavy rain you need to consider making a frame that goes inside the boat to hold up whatever cover/tarp is used. Snow needs to slide off and rain shouldn't puddle on the cover, too much weight for the cover to support.

I would also use cinder clocks under the trailer axle to reduce the weight and prevent the tire sidewalks from degrading over winter.

Moth balls in a coffee cans helps to keep out some critters making their home under the covered boat.

At Big Bear lake where it snows they now have a service that shrink wraps covers on boat stored outdoors over the winter. Maybe you have a similar service?

I am sure members from the frozen northland will help you out with more ideas than I can. My idea of winterizing is a hot cup of coffee and wearing warmer cloths, my boats have always been garaged.

 

[billmac]

Yeah, I've been thinking about the frame thing.

[Log Catcher]

If you have a compressor I would blow all the lines for the live well to make sure no water is left in them. My boat has a built in gas tank. It is recommended to fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer for winter storage. I run fuel stabilizer and ethanol treatment in mine year round. If you have oil injection fill up the oil tank.

[billmac]

The boat may have come with some ethanol fuel in it, but all I've added is ethanol free.

[BigAngus752]

It's not even Labor Day yet!  Why would you bring up such a horrendous and painful subject?!  I'm starting to get nauseous...?

[TnRiver46]

Just bring it to my place and I’ll winterize for you with pure gasoline 

[boostr]

14 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

It's not even Labor Day yet!  Why would you bring up such a horrendous and painful subject?!  I'm starting to get nauseous...?

I'm with ya 

If you do have a built in gas tank, don't fill it full, fill it maybe 3/4 and a half full. Gas expands when it tends to get warmer, and you don't want gas pouring out of you gas tank vent. Don't ask me how I know...

[Tennessee Boy]

I always winterize my boat in late October.  I removed the sun screen and UV gloves/gaiter and replace them with goggles,  ear muffs,  and winter gloves.  ?

 

[Todd2]

The lakes here almost never freeze. I do remember busting through some thin ice at the dock one time. Caught one of my best Winter bass that day. My "Winterizing" is replacing the Bass stuff for Crappie stuff. I feel for you guys up North.

[OnthePotomac]

I also store outdoors at our state park yard for the last 18 years with the same boat and motor.  I always change the lower unit oil in November and check for clarity, my live well is only for storage and I have a 60hp Yammie with 350 hours on it.  I use the recommended 1/2 oz Yamalube Ring Free per each 5 gallons of gas each time and never use a fuel stabilizer in E10.  I top off the gas to the very top to prevent condensation in the gas. I also pull the prop and cover the shaft with a piece of PVC pipe filled with Yamaha Blue Marine grease. I always keep a Lowes $40 tarp over the boat cover all year secured with bungy cords.  It usually sits for 16 weeks and always starts right up in the spring.  I do check the boat each month during the winter for rodents.  Of course the electronics come home with me always as does the 12V Tm battery, and for winter storage so does the starting battery, both of which go on a battery tender for the period with a desulfinator.  I envy those of you with a garage to keep your boat in.

[J._Bricker]

My winterization consists of a little Stabil in the tanks in the event it’s over a couple of weeks since my last fishing trip. The only time in the winter I’ve encountered “hard water” I was able to break through it with the trolling motor...