Winterize Your Boat Now

Written By - fish4fun.com - 06/7/2007

Link to Original Article here

Now is the time to winterize your boat for the period of inactivity between now and next spring. The following list of items is intended as a basic guide to protect your boat from sitting idle during the cold, wet winter months.

General

• Completely wash and wax your boat, hull, deck, both inside and out.
• Remove all cushions, bolsters and other fabric type items if they can be removed. Store in garage. If not removable, wash and dry surfaces, leave a chemical dehumidifier or mildew inhibitor under the cover when stored.
• Remove your batteries and store in an area not subject to freezing. Leave batteries on a trickle charger. Clean battery posts and cable lugs and coat with a light coating of grease.
• Lubricate all Hatch/locker door hinges and latches. Leave doors open.
• Remove all drain plugs so any possible water accumulation will drain out.
• Remove all electronics and store in secure area.
• Cover boat with a cover that allows good ventilation and adjust to shed water/snow.

Fuel System

• Completely fill built-in fuel tanks and add a good fuel stabilizer such as "Store-n Start" or "Stabil". Run engine for 15 minutes in water or with a flushing attachment to fill fuel lines and carburetors with treated fuel.
• After adding stabilizer to portable tanks, run engine as above. Then remove portable fuel tanks from boat and drain fuel (Put fuel in car, lawn mower, snowblower, etc)
• Remove and replace all fuel filters.
• Check all fuel hoses and connectors, replace if worn or leaking.

Outboard Engine (Check owners manual for specific procedures and requirements)

• Fog Engine with a Fogging oil per manufacturers directions. This is usually accomplished by spraying in the carburetors while running and also by removing the spark plugs and spraying directly into the cylinders.
• Spray all surfaces under motor cover with a lubricant such as WD-40 or Corrosion Block, to prevent rust and corrosion.
• Install new spark plugs.
• Visually inspect all hardware, linkages and cables and replace/tighten if required.
• Apply grease to all grease fittings.
• Replace gear case lubricant.
• Lubricate and add fluids to power steering, and tilt and trim and trim tab units.
• Store motor in the down "run" position. Wash and wax exterior surfaces.

Trailer

• Repack wheel bearings
• Inspect and lubricate hitch coupler, rollers, tongue jack and winch.
• Inspect and repair lights.
• Inspect bunks

Remember the whole purpose of winterizing your boat is to eliminate or minimize problems found in the Spring which may delay the use of your boat or cost you money. Make a habit of checking twice a month to see that the cover is in place and that no water is accumulating, etc.

Each year that you own a boat you will probably be able to add to this list, items which you find need special attention during winterizing. If you have any additional helpful items on winterizing or caring for your boat, motor or trailer, please send them to editor@fish4fun.com and we will share them with other readers.