Winterizing boats

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shortstrike
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2010/09/18 10:21:30 (permalink)

Winterizing boats

I bought my first Lake Erie boat this summer. It's a 22' walkaround with a Mercruiser V6 I/O. I trailer it out of Northeast Marina. I want to know when everyone puts their boat away for the winter and do you winterize your boats yourself or do you pay someone to do it. I plan on storing it indoors with no heat. Any info would help. Thanks
#1

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    MuskyMastr
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/18 23:43:48 (permalink)
    I do my own, it is stored inside without heat as well. I have circulated it from the outdrive and by pulling the stat, both ways worked well.

    Better too far back, than too far forward.
    #2
    pghmarty
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/19 00:18:02 (permalink)
    I have circulated it from the outdrive

    Remove thermostat
    Put shop vac nozzle where thermostat was- then vac both top lines by plugging thermostat area.
    Fill engine with low toxic antifreeze-about 1.5-2gal
    Remove with shop vac in spring
    Or:
    Remove prop then lower drive into rectangular garbage can high enough to cover intake.
    Add around 3 gal low toxic antifreeze.
    Remove thermostat and run engine.
    Put shop vac nozzle on thermostat cover and suck fluid out to use next year.

    These are not recommended by the book but it has worked for me 30 some times now*
    One slight failure-power steering cooler on BBC with Bravo still had water and froze separating it.
    Firs trip out the next year filled boat with water
    Soldered with alumiweld then found water pump burned out on next outing
    post edited by pghmarty - 2010/09/19 00:19:07


    #3
    shortstrike
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/19 10:25:21 (permalink)
    What about fuel? Full tank with stabil? Should I run it with the stabil in to circulate through lines and carb? Thanks for the help guys.
    #4
    pghmarty
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/19 11:58:11 (permalink)
    stabil or seafoam


    #5
    killswitch
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/19 21:11:34 (permalink)
    How did the walleye fishing go out of Northeast this year?   Don't forget to fog cylinders.
    #6
    shortstrike
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 05:48:45 (permalink)
    First year with a boat and walleye fishing, so mostly learning how to run a boat and how to troll, but we managed a few most trips out. What is fogging the cylinders? I never had to winterize an engine before, but I would like to do it myself if possible.
    #7
    beeverfishing
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 08:15:26 (permalink)
    Spray the engine with oil that will help to prevent rust build up. It is recommended that you use fogging oil that you can purchase at a boat supply or boat dealer. This type of oil is specially formulated to not slide off the boat cylinders, but rather stick to it. The fogging oil can be sprayed through the spark plug holes once the engine has cooled down enough to remove them

    http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/fog.aspx
    post edited by beeverfishing - 2010/09/20 08:19:38
    #8
    shortstrike
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 14:09:56 (permalink)
    Ok, I think I can handle all this so far. Thanks for all the help. If anyone can think of anything else just let me know. - Shortsrtike
    #9
    pghmarty
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 14:14:57 (permalink)
    BUY THE REPAIR MANUAL


    #10
    Bogeyjoker
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 15:01:13 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: killswitch

    How did the walleye fishing go out of Northeast this year?   Don't forget to fog cylinders.


    The 'eye fishing out of NE was phenominal this year from mid-June right up until the big blow we got 2 1/2 weeks ago. Since then it's went down hill fast.
    #11
    shortstrike
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 17:52:30 (permalink)
    BUY THE REPAIR MANUAL
    Sounds like a good idea.
    #12
    killswitch
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 19:55:36 (permalink)
    I've always wanted to try NE  , but Walnut is my regular .  I guess i got a hard time  trying new things,  maybe next year.
     thanks
    #13
    Split Shot
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/20 22:53:42 (permalink)
    shortstrike, If you want to get alot free information, go to iboats.com Alot of professional guy's and will give good advice. Until recently you could also download actual mercruiser repair manuals. Merc told them to take it down. I had already downloaded mine.

    My Wife said, if I go fish'n one more time, she'll leave me! God, I'm going to miss her!
    #14
    shortstrike
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    RE: Winterizing boats 2010/09/21 18:34:06 (permalink)
    shortstrike, If you want to get alot free information, go to iboats.com Alot of professional guy's and will give good advice. Until recently you could also download actual mercruiser repair manuals. Merc told them to take it down. I had already downloaded mine.
    Just checked iboats.com, lots of good info there. Thanks
    #15
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