Topic: Winterizing (Read 3398 times)

left_turn56 · « **on:** September 29, 2004, 05:51:06 PM »

I know that it is a bit early for most of you to be thinking about this, but freezing temps are close for me. What do I need to do to get my boat ready for winter...It will have to be outside (under a cover and tarp) in temps as low as -5f...BRRRRRRR.
Left_turn56

DAWG · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2004, 07:55:17 PM »

First thing i like to do is start engine with muffs on, unhook fuel line and run engine until it runs out of gas. Next i take the plugs out and spray WD-40 or a cylinder fogger{think you can buy this at boat dealer] to coat walls for prevention of rust,reinstall plugs. Next i buy a can of gas treatment called stable , which keeps the gas from jelling in the tank. Then check lower unit to make sure there is no water in the grease, probably would be best to go ahead and change it to be sure. Then wrap your pride and joy

up for the long long cold winter wait until spring.

DAWG

Jared LeBlue · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2004, 08:24:41 PM »

Winterizing, what's that? $:-\$

DAWG · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2004, 08:33:19 PM »

Must be nice

to not know what it is,wish i didnt have to do it

Mike Cork · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2004, 09:14:42 PM »

Rattle, Winterizing is that thing you do the one weekend a year that it is too cold to go fishing. You know when it gets all the way down to 40 degrees, I just barely survive the cabin fever syndrome I get all jittery and mumble it's just horrible.

Excellent advice Dawg, when I lived in Missiouri we also made sure to pull the batteries to the garage and store them off the concrete floor, make sure there is no water in any of the livewell pumps or lines. We also double wrapped the boat cover. Meaning we put the boat cover on and then bought a blue tarp from wally world that we would cover the cover with. At the end of winter we just pitched it as it was usually tattered from the cold winds.

DAWG · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2004, 09:28:12 PM »

Forgot about the batteries Mike, thanks. As for the live wells never had one until now, thanks for reminding me of that. Why didnt Ranger jump in here on this? Could it be that his boats are stored in a nice heated garage or something?

Mike Noble · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2004, 07:16:52 AM »

My only suggestion....MOVE FURTHER SOUTH

For the Sea Sprite...it should not be left outside...build that baby a heated garage.

DAWG · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2004, 07:21:49 AM »

I WISH

if only the wife would let me. Would someone please call her and tell her the advantages of living in warmer weather?

Mike Noble · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2004, 07:24:42 AM »

Advantages....warmer, fish all year, not as cold, very little snow, very little ice...and when we do get snow and ice then "everything" shuts down and you get off work.

Wildcat26 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2004, 08:06:46 AM »

I winterize by cutting my fishing to once a week.

left_turn56 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2004, 09:05:21 AM »

So I don't need to do anything to get the water out of the motor or lower unit? Is wraping in an old sleepingbag ok? Can I just move to LA?
Left_turn56

Ranger375 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2004, 09:22:01 AM »

Left Turn...in your case...I would do one additional thing..tag and mark all the wiring in your boat so that next spring you know where all the red wire goes.

Mike Noble · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2004, 09:29:58 AM »

Left_turn...head south to I-20...turn east...drive until you reach Louisiana. The borders are open.

And I would drain out any water...I think it freezes at 32 degrees F.

Mike Cork · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2004, 06:15:15 PM »

Left Turn, you do need to get all the water out of your lower unit. Simply putting it in a vertical position and letting it run out should be all you need to do. Also the grease in your lower unit needs to be checked for water, and as mentioned before it would be a good time to drain it anyway and replace it just to make sure.

But I must recommend moving south, we would love to have you. You could help me out with all your experience..... I looked under my drivers consol and OMG

there were red wires everywhere, I've had nightmares for 2 weeks now

Jared LeBlue · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2004, 06:53:07 PM »

Mike you would definately need the master of red wire to help you with that, and hey if you need some more leftturn would have all you need. How are you on gas hose, I heard leftturn has plenty.

SteveK · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2004, 01:17:38 PM »

My two vehicles are jealous. When I first bought the boat i didnt think it would fit in the garage. so i told the wife lets see if it fits. behold it fits, now the cars stay outside. hehhehhehehe.

MotherNature · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2004, 01:35:49 PM »

SteveK at least she had a garauge to start out with I married the man with the boat and my car has always been outside

maybe I will get lucky and have a two car garauge in the new house

Mike Noble · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2004, 02:25:17 PM »

Design the garage first to hold the boat....worry about everything else later.

crazybass · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2004, 06:37:47 AM »

Left Turn, I don't know if your boat has carbs, EFI or Optimax but they do winterize differently. I put staybil in the tank and let it run for approx. 15-20 minutes with muffs on the motor. You may smell the staybil in the exhaust after 15-20 minutes. Then I drain the lower unit checking for metal and cloudy oil. Refill with synthetic oil. Pull prop and check for old fishing line near the seal and grease shaft and replace the prop. Next I pull the plugs and fog the cylinders, replace plugs and pull the kill switch and turn the motor over a couple of times to get the lube on the cylinder walls and moving parts. Put engine in the down position so water can drain. Check livewells for water and remove my batteries. It gets real cold in Maryland. An engine with cabs would fog Thur the cabs or if equipped with a fitting where the fogger can hook up to. An Optimax is different from the others. I did check out homes in Florida looking for a warmer climate and the hurricanes hit every place I looked (Melbourne, Port Charlotte and Gulf Breeze).

Mike Cork · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2004, 08:03:38 AM »

Great informitive post CrazyBass Thanks

You can out run a hurricane, you have to live threw winter

Mike Noble · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2004, 08:07:19 AM »

Quote from: Mike on October 26, 2004, 08:03:38 AM

You can out run a hurricane, you have to live threw winter

Excellent point. And winter lasts longer.

Ron Fogelson · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2004, 08:10:29 AM »

There was a good section in this months Bass Masters Mag, but I do believe you guys covered this topic more in-depth and much better reading.

Fogy

Mike Cork · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2004, 08:12:48 AM »

Something not covered to indepth is the Trolling Motor is anything done special for it? Maybe just cleaning and maybe some lube?

Also what about covering the boat, if kept outside how do you protect it? Just the cover it came with, if so would you scotch guard it or anything?

Ron Fogelson · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2004, 08:34:27 AM »

The article said that some -people like to get there boat shrink-rapped, but at $200.00 a pop it’s expensive. (No Kidding) Its recommended that if you live up north in the cold & snow use a dark colored cover to absorb the heat from the sun to better melt off the weight of snow & ice so it slides off rather then tear the cover. If you live down south in the sun & heat use a light colored cover to help reflect the UV rays better. In ether case they said to tent you cover to reduce moisture build up, & also to place some type of moisture collecting material inside the lower areas (Bilge / live well) to avoid a moldy/mildew build up. Also don't forget about your tires, sitting in one spot for long periods of time can cause damage both from the sun, as well as possible warped spots if they get low or flat. They suggested covering the tires with plywood such as RVers do. And don't just forget about it once its covered, recommended checking on it from time to time so you could catch something that went wrong before it did permanent damage, such as a flat tire or a tear in the cover.

Play Nice or Die!
Fogy

MotherNature · « **Reply #24 on:** October 26, 2004, 10:48:55 AM »

This is some really good info! Thanks for sharing

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Author Topic: Winterizing (Read 3398 times)