Winterizing my Boat

[mrfizban]

OK. I'll admit, I'm still a rookie as I just bought my boat last spring. I want to do the right thing and winterize my boat. But it is just an I/O - 17 foot bowrider with a 3.0L Volvo Penta. <br /><br />So far all I've done is wash it down and unplug my battery (as I do after every trip) and I also bought some fuel stabilizer and put that in the tank. My friend at work asked if I ran the stabilizer through the motor yet and I hadn't. He told me to hook up a hose to the motor and run it or to use earmuffs. <br /><br />I just looked and my Volvo doesn't have a spot to plug in a hose, it just has 6 little holes on each side. And I didn't want to ask what earmuffs are.<br /><br />Could someone give me some guidance on where to go from here? How do I run the stabilizer through the motor in my driveway and is that really all that matters for "winterizing". Any help is appreciated. Thanks.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

FYI. Just for some extra info. I'm storing it in my garage which is insulated but not heated. I live in Oregon which is not really a cold-weather climate, but we usually get one or two days a year in the high 20's. But without the windchill, I'm not sure any water would actually freeze in my garage, so I think that if that matters at all, that is one factor that I should mention. <br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

Hi Jeff,<br /><br />First off here is a link to ear muffs. http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...lusher&**********=384270619&*******=688652792 <br /><br />They can be bought here on iboats as well as some automotive and boating stores. They just hook up to your garden hose and provide water to the water pick up on your motor. I know they work on outboards. I think they would also work on your motor. <br /><br />As far as winterizing goes check this link in FAQs. <br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000024 <br /><br />You should definately run the motor for atleast 10 minutes to be sure they Stabil fills your carberator bowls. I did not do this last year and had to clean my carbs in the spring. Do not run it fast. Put it in gear and run it at a fast idle. Make sure water is coming out of the motor. If it is not the earmuffs are not correctly installed.<br /><br />Hope this helps<br />Jason

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

Thanks for the info. I'll go get some earmuffs as that must be what I need. I'm not sure that Winterizing post is really applicable as it gets into taking off props and greasing shafts and blowing out water in lines and so on. I'm just storing my little family runabout in my garage for a few warm, dry, safe months until next season. No need need to go overboard with all the outdoor prep and big cuddy cabin storage. But thanks, it still gives some fundamental good stuff to look into. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

Throw some mouse bait packs in there. You'd rather have them chew on poison than your upholstry and wiring. Also change the Lower unit lube. Best to let the boat sit around with good oil in the gearcase rather than the old stuff which always has at least a little water in it by the end of the season.

 

[TxShorty]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

Poison is an excellent idea... we have 2 or 3 boats every year come in the shop with eaten wiring, and i'm in Houston. Also, I hafta advise you to go ahead and pull the prop and clean and regrease the shaft at least annually, ESPECIALLY if you boat sees any salt water! During winterization is a good time for scheduling many annual maintenances...

 

[mrfizban]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

OK. It wouldn't be that hard to do. I do like the idea of letting it sit with good oil vs. bad, just not sure how much work that would be. I will say that I bought it more for the future as my family is young. The boat only has a 10 hours on it or so and it only saw a total of about 4-5 trips in a freshwater reservoir. So not much action (although I did break a prop on one of the trips). Thanks again.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[vipzach]

Re: Winterizing my Boat

It is a good idea to pull the prop and grease it once a year, if you don't you could have problems in a couple of years if the prop gets damaged. <br /><br />There are lots of things on a boat that need yearly checkups, gimbal bearing, u-joints. You should change the outdrive lube, and drain the block and manifold to prevent it from freezing.<br /><br />These are some of the things that you should do or end up paying for it next spring. You would be pretty upset next year if you found that cracked block and realized you should have spent an hour or so winterizing it!