Boat Maintenance: winterization
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Name:
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AnchorbayDon
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Subject:
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winterization
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Date:
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9/2/2004 10:21:24 AM
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You should probably have your boat winterized at the same place that services it. That way, they will have continuous records so will know the interval since the impeller and/or anodes were replaced, oil changed or other service issues addressed.
For winterization, be sure that they change the oil and filter before storing as oil tends to turn acidic over a winter. Replace the fuel filter. Fuel treatment should be added to the fuel tank, the lower unit gear lube checked and replaced if bad or if water present (looks milky) and the engine fogged to lubricate the internals. Water jacket water should be drained and/or replaced with potable antifreeze (Not the automotive kind! - you will be discharging it in the lake next Spring! The correct stuff is blue in color!) If your boat has a sink or shower, be sure the put some potable antifreeze in there, too. The battery should be disconnected and stored in a well ventilated area. All of the above, except the antifreeze, applies to 4 stroke outboards as well as Inboard/Outboards.
We recommend that any tuneup activity be postponed until Spring -just before you intend to use it and when fresh fuel will be introduced.
The water pump impeller should be replaced every other year. It is simple and cheap to do, but not doing it in a preventive mode may ruin a weekend next year and allow your engine to overheat and be ruined. There are anodes on the foot of most I/O units that handle electrolysis sacrificially. (They absorb stray electric current and self destruct rather than allowing this current to ruin other hardware on your engine and boat). They should be replaced when pitted and corroded very much.
Of course, if all this sounds a little overwhelming, you could take it to your friendly marine service center and have it done professionallY!
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