Just winterized, but what about Spring?

[Ki Ki]

So I have a 4.3 Merc and it's the first i/o we've owned. First year getting it winterized. Just got it done by a marine mechanic.

Now, the question is, anything special to do in the Spring other than fill it up and start it and let warm up?

 

[GA_Boater]

It depends on which method was used to winterize.

1) Antifreeze flush - All the drains should be in place and all hoses connected to do the flush. So fill 'er up, start the motor and go boating.

2) Water drain - Reinstall all the drain plugs and any hoses left dangling. Fill 'er up, start the motor and go boating.

On either case, probably a good idea to do the first start on muffs to check for leaks.

 

[rderenzy]

I used this
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...ow-to-summerize-your-winterized-boat?t=192804

depends on what your winterizing, included - what all did they do?
curious on how much it cost you?

 

[JASinIL2006]

If you pulled the drain plugs, I'd consider putting them back in before winter. If you don't the threads can rust and you might have a difficult time come Spring.

 

[hemi rt]

What type of anti-freeze did they use? Automotive anti-freeze - use muffs to get the anti-freeze out of every thing, do NOT just put it in a lake/river and go boating - you are polluting the lake/river with something that will not disperse very well and is very poisonous to marine life. You can't ingest the stuff and marine life can't either

 

[JoLin]

What type of anti-freeze did they use? Automotive anti-freeze - use muffs to get the anti-freeze out of every thing, do NOT just put it in a lake/river and go boating - you are polluting the lake/river with something that will not disperse very well and is very poisonous to marine life. You can't ingest the stuff and marine life can't either

What makes you think that? I have NEVER seen a marine mechanic use automotive AF for winterizing purposes. If you've seen it done, that mechanic or shop should be reported to the authorities.

 

[Pat_220v]

The mechanic who is doing mine said he used 100% biodegradable anti-freeze that was 100% safe for the environment / water and good for some ridiculously low temperature.

He told me to just put the boat in the water and go come spring.

As the guy had 50+ boats in his lot when we dropped ours off, I figured he must be on the up and up.

 

[JoLin]

Pat, your mechanic is right. What he's using is what we all use- biodegradable AF that, depending on where you live is formulated to either -50 or -100 degrees F. Like he said, in the spring just splash the boat and go.

 

[tlewis1]

Agree that you 'should' be able to just drop the boat in the water and go in the spring if the mechanic reinstalled all the plugs and hoses correctly but in all my experience 6-8 months is a long time for anything to just sit and then hope that it runs the exact same as it did before storage.

I always tell people before loading up the whole family into the boat for the first trip in the spring the boat needs to be run either on a set of 'muffs' on your driveway or if you are unable to do that, start boat while backed into the water on the boat launch while you are STILL hooked up to the trailer. Open the back compartment and have a good look at the engine while its running looking for any water or exhaust leaks. Also a good time to check all the boat accessoires, bilge pumps/blowers etc.

If all looks good then it's time to go boating!

 

[Starcraft5834]

Ki Ki, I'd suggest you save the $ spent on a marine mechanic and drain it yourself... takes about 5 mins.. anti freeze is not necessary, air does not freeze.. drain and re-fill your out drive oil, leave drive in verticle, full down position.. jack up trailer, place blocks under frame to take most of the weight off tires.. that's about it. only thing that will cause you a world of hurt is ice,, remove water and your good..

 

[JoLin]

Agree that you 'should' be able to just drop the boat in the water and go in the spring if the mechanic reinstalled all the plugs and hoses correctly but in all my experience 6-8 months is a long time for anything to just sit and then hope that it runs the exact same as it did before storage.

I always tell people before loading up the whole family into the boat for the first trip in the spring the boat needs to be run either on a set of 'muffs' on your driveway or if you are unable to do that, start boat while backed into the water on the boat launch while you are STILL hooked up to the trailer. Open the back compartment and have a good look at the engine while its running looking for any water or exhaust leaks. Also a good time to check all the boat accessoires, bilge pumps/blowers etc.

If all looks good then it's time to go boating!

My comment to 'just splash it and go' was in reference to whether the antifreeze had to be captured and disposed of before launch. Of course, the OP should do exactly as you advise.

My .02