Winterizing the boat

[vancouvercanuck]

Actually I've had my boat going on nine years now. I'm just curious what it takes to freeze the block on my I/O. I've got a 4.3 L I/O on a runabout (see below) and want to keep it going for as long as I can, I just don't want to ruin the engine. I can keep it in a NON heated garage for the most part.

[grumpymoe]

another good question!!!....I recall a friend that had a restoration project going a few years back and had dumped straight water into the rad.....nice sunny fall day, but the vehicle was in the shade.....you guessed it!!!...it froze and cracked the block....so....it doesnt have to feel too cold to happen.....not worth taking the risk....Grump

[baginwal]

Actually I've had my boat going on nine years now. I'm just curious what it takes to freeze the block on my I/O. I've got a 4.3 L I/O on a runabout (see below) and want to keep it going for as long as I can, I just don't want to ruin the engine. I can keep it in a NON heated garage for the most part.

Sorry Canuck!  My mistake. I recalled reading your reply in the topic "stupid mistakes" about going to a boat dealer and not getting the drain plug during a test drive.  You mentioned it was your first boat and I assumed it related to the date you posted.  Bad assumption..............you know what they say about assuming!

[OTIS]

Maybe this has been mentioned before, if so please forgive me.  Maybe Scott could create a place to put a static list containing the steps involved in winterizing a boat, and/or getting ready for a fishing trip.  I've had a list that I carry with me for ice fishing that I go over before every trip so that I don't forget the basics.  Lord knows my CRS gets worse every year.

[JigAwhopper]

That's funny you guys are talking about winterizing your boats  for the winter when I'm thinking about taking mine out of storage right now to get more fishing done in the winter months.  I moved to Arizona this summer and it was so bloody hot here that I just gave up on fishing until the temps start dipping below 100 once in a while.  So I'm looking forward to  some great fishing this winter and spring. 
By the way,  about winterizing the boat,     I remove all the equimpment from the boat,  on the last trip I would run on gas that has fuel stabilizer mixed already in and then top off the tank to prevent the moistrue build up.    Drain the lower unit and replace with new gear oil.  Clean and grease all the linkages.   I also hook up the outboard to the garden house and while it's running,  I'll spray the fogging oil into the carbs unitl it stalls and then spray some into spurk plug openings.  Take out the batteries and put them in storage,  charing once a month or or so.    Another good idea is to lift up the trailes and set it up on the stands so the tires don't develop any flat spots from sitting in one place too long.   And the temps dip below freezing,  it's a good idea to repack the ballbearings so the greae has no water in it.   That's about all I would do  to winterize my boat.   Now it's a bit less work,  'cause it don't freeze here :-).

[baginwal]

I pretty much follow the same winterizing procedure as Jig-A-Whopper with these additional steps

Wash and wax the outside of the boat.
Clean the teak and apply teak oil.
Wash and vacumn the interior.
Spray CRC 6-56 (moisture repellant) on both my main outboard and kicker under the covers as well as all linkages and any other exposed wiring (VHF, FISHFINDER, etc, these are removed for the winter)

Following this winterizing procedure, I have never had a problem with either motor.

[eyedoktr]

For those with Mercury Optimax motors......do not fog them. Mercury and my dealer both advise against it. As far as batteries go, I make sure that all my batteries are fully charged and leave them in the boat. The cold weather slows down the discharge almost completely. If you put them away with a full charge, they will be that way in the spring. Think about it, your car battery doesn't freeze when left outside.

[USMC130FE]

The way its going for me this year the best way to winterize my boat is not using it since it came home from the dealer.    Naa, I'll get it out sometime.  I really hope Hurricane Rita doesn't have as much distruction in her plans as Katrina did but its not looking that way.  God needs to slap Mother Nature around as the South has had enough for one year.

Tight Lines all,
Steve

[Smelt1]

I start thinking about putting my boat away when I'm backing down the ramp and realize I should of brought some ice traps instead. One other thing to add to putting your boat away on an I/O is to drain the water jackets on your moter and I'll also run some RV antifreeze in through the water intake on the lower unit then redrain the water jackets.Make sure you use enviromently friendly antifreeze.

[big walleye]

When you take the trolling motor off the front and replace it with the ice auger.