Boat/Motor Winterizing - Outboards

[skein]

How 'bout two threads, one for winterizing your outboard boat, and one for the inboard guys. I always seem to pick up a tip or two from these discussions, and since we all (most) are putting our boats away for the winter it may be a good time to talk.

Here's what I do:

* Add Stabil to gas tank
* Add a can of HEET to the tank as well
* Grease all fittings
* Grease wheel bearing
* Lube jack stand crank on trailer tongue
* Flush motors
* Check batteries and add distilled water if needed
* Unplug gps and radar screens and bring them inside
* Same with radios
* Make sure there is no water/moisture trapped anywhere in the underdeck or cabin
* Make sure outboards are well drained
* Drain gas from spare kicker tank

Then I do some little things, like unscrew kicker and lube the threads that clamp it to the bracket. I also unscrew the cartridge gas filter and add a little Stabil before I flush for the last time. That insures the stabilizer gets into the fuel system of the motor itself. After flushing, I raise the motors completely, then lower them again to make SURE no water is trapped inside.

During the winter I will periodically charge the batteries and add air to the tires. I will also pull it out and run the motors from time to time (I have dry storage).

What else should I think about?

Skein

[fyshndad]

Don't forget to check and completely clean all the nooks and crannies where some bait parts or blood may have gotten that didn't rinse away when last cleaned

It only takes a small amout to have the boat smelly
And you won't smell it til the weather warms up and the stuff really starts to get ripe

Yes you can ask me how I know this

[Herring Problem]

Skien, when I had the last outboard, I replaced all of the plugs after I brought her back to life in the spring. Seemed the motor always ran better with the new plugs over the oil covered ones that sat for months with the fogging oil on em.

Remember to pull trailer tounge forward to release pressure on the brake valve from backing the boat into the shop. This will release the pressure on the brake pads against the hub and they won't stick next spring when you pull her out.

[skein]

Remember to pull trailer tounge forward to release pressure on the brake valve from backing the boat into the shop. This will release the pressure on the brake pads...

Good point!

Skein

[Whosit]

Originally Posted by Herring Problem

Skien, when I had the last outboard, I replaced all of the plugs after I brought her back to life in the spring. Seemed the motor always ran better with the new plugs over the oil covered ones that sat for months with the fogging oil on em.

Remember to pull trailer tounge forward to release pressure on the brake valve from backing the boat into the shop. This will release the pressure on the brake pads against the hub and they won't stick next spring when you pull her out.

very good point last spring I couldn't figure out why the brakess were stuck.....duh

[Moldy45]

Jim have you ever tried putting stabil into gas that is in a clear container? it disperses very fast. I put the desired amount of stabil in my tank then add some gas to help mix even though I don't think it needs it,then run my motor long enough to get that stabil fuel into the motor and carbs.Then I fogg the motor and pull plugs to shoot more fogging oil into cylinder's may go a bt over board but it sure gives me piece of mind.

[tomictime]

change lower units
pull props and greese splines
RV antifreeze in the washdown pump
cushions off the boat
shorepower hooked up and 110 V dryers installed
door to icebox of fridge propped open

[fish-on-bend]

I solve the problem by fishing 12 months a year and keeping 2 solar chargers hooked up--1 to each battery.

[namu mac]

FYI ther is a new Marine Sta-bil soon to be in our market area. It is supposed to work with E-10 fuel as well as reg. gas. It has twice the concentration as regular Sta-bil. 1 oz. to 5 gal gas to stabilize the fuel. It also has additives to fight corrision in the tank and to combat carbon build up ( like Ring Free). Can be used daily at a rate of 1 oz. to 10 gal fuel. I wonder if this can be used in place of Ring Free.

[Mr. Fisherman]

I plan to pull mine to the poison water and fish for Sturgeon...

[Whosit]

Originally Posted by Moldy45

Jim have you ever tried putting stabil into gas that is in a clear container? it disperses very fast. I put the desired amount of stabil in my tank then add some gas to help mix even though I don't think it needs it,then run my motor long enough to get that stabil fuel into the motor and carbs.Then I fogg the motor and pull plugs to shoot more fogging oil into cylinder's may go a bt over board but it sure gives me piece of mind.

What brand of a fogg do you use?

[BigWaterBigFish]

Wash the heck out of the boat, get the flooring cover up and wash it down - best place is car wash so you can rinse with HOT WATER !!!

Before leaving the car wash, dump couple bottles of Awesome (biodegradable cleaner - restaurant quality) down the bilge after putting the plug in.

Pull by the gas station and put enough air in tires

Drive home whistling a tune

Change filters, plugs, fluids - check seals/gaskets while draining.
DISPOSE OF ITEMS PROPERLY

Pour Stabi into gas tank, maybe a little extra

Run motor - so Stabi gets into the lines and motors are flushed one last time with fresh water

Flush out trailer one last time with fresh water ... doesn't hurt to run a little salt-away through

Fog Engine

Back boat to steep angle and remove drain plug - I've got good drain field so no worries but if not, set out basin or buckets as the bilge cleaner drains

Pop the hitch forward and release the brakes so when I back it into the driveway I'm not setting the brakes for whole winter

Put some dry-ease into the cuddy to keep it moisture free this winter, check to make sure I got the head/porti cleaned out and removed ... even though it seals, leaving a porti full of water inside a sealed cuddy and expecting there not to be moisture issues doesn't make sense

Disconnect batteries AFTER putting the motors down so they drain

Lube every thing that moves or has a zert on the trailer and boat

Cover completely but allow for air circulation

[Moldy45]

Originally Posted by Whosit

What brand of a fogg do you use?

Johnson/Evenrude. I think they all do the same thing though

[Blue Seaduction]

Why don't you just use your boat in the winter time ?