Winterize Boat
updated October 31, 2018
Some of the maintenance depends on how much the boat is used during the summer. It is possible to skip some of the steps if the boat has only been used ten times or so. The items to skip are noted below. Even if the boat is not used much, the acids build up and can cause problems in the fuel system and in the engine.
- Add fuel conditioner to fuel tank, according to directions (2 ounces per 5 gallons, tank holds about ten gallons, look at fuel gauge)
- Change motor oil and filter. (Skip odd years if not used much.)
- Change fuel filter (Skip odd years if not used much.)
- Cooling ear muffs can be found inside boat house door. Do not run boat engine out of the water without supplying water to the drive water pump. It will burn out without water to cool it.
- Apply the ear muffs to the drive so they cover the water pickup holes and connect a water hose, and turn on the water. Water will pour out various holes.
- Note hull drain. Remove plug, check for debris inside hole, let drain. Later, when removing muffs, reinsert drain, adding Teflon tape if it is torn. This step is repeated later when the plug can be reinserted.
- Turn off fuel line valve by turning it to right angles with the fuel line. The fuel shut off is in the same area as the above picture. Ignore the arrows. (replace above with a picture of fuel valve)
- Start and run the engine until it dies. You can fog the engine as it is dying. Fogging is not required unless the engine is going to be stored for an extended time, several years. This runs the gas out of the carburetor and engine.
- turn off water and remove ear muffs
- Disconnect water hose at water pump. Aftermarket hose drain plugs like Butler boat?
- Disconnect left hose. The right hose drains directly to the U shaped hose just removed and therefore does not need to be drained. I remove it just to be careful.
- Disconnect long hose at thermostat housing, show disconnected from fitting at left arrow.
- Open two train cocks on right side (starboard which is right side facing forward in boat), of engine. One is on block and the other is in the exhaust manifold.
- With drive in full up position, remove water drain plug from port side of pivot housing. Let drain. Lower housing to full down position and allow further draining. Make sure drains are not obstructed with material, remove with a hooked piece of wire if needed. (Boat can be cranked momentarily to allow water pump to expel water. Remove primary lead off of distributor to prevent starting, the lead to the center of the distributor cap.)
- Drain the hull by removing the hull drain plug, shown above. Once the water has stopped draining, replace the plug using Teflon thread tape. I do not leave it out over the winter to prevent small animals from taking up residence.
- Disconnect negative terminal first, has a minus (-) sign on the battery case. Remove battery and charge. Charged battery will not freeze. Charge once in middle of winter. Battery charger is on wall near door of garage. Place battery on wood to insulate from floor.
- Check fluids. Now is the time to drain and replace the engine oil. Drain oil through dipstick fitting using fluid vacuum pump. Replace fuel filter and oil filter. Add oil. Check fluids in drive and top up with outdrive gear lube. Check fluid in drive tilt pump, top off with power steering fluid.
- Put all the parts, clamps, drain plug, battery tie downs, and block drains in the battery tray for storage.
- Place all ski stuff, jackets, and ropes, in garden shed to prevent squirrels chewing on them. Leave ski locker and glove box open.
- Place moth balls in ski locker, glove box and on engine mounts to discourage hibernating animals from living in the boat or chewing on the wiring.
- Put registration and insurance papers in roof of boat, between stay and canvas to prevent shredding by squirrels. Leave glove box and ski locker open.
- Snap bow cover over front and close windshield. Close panel in roof with zippers. No need to snap.
Preparation for Spring
- Parts can be found in battery tray.
- Open fuel line valve. Handle pointing along fuel line indicates open.
- Close all drain petcocks.
- Replace hose to water pump and tighten clamps.
- Replace one hose to thermostat housing and one to carb housing. Hose with white stripe and white letters along the length goes to the nipple marked with a white dab, closest to the center line of the engine, but does not need to be removed or reinstalled.
- Replace drain plug on external drive.
- Check drain plug to hull at bottom back of boat.
- Install battery. Battery connection is just heavy gauge red and black wires. Fish finder is now wired to dash.
- Test run engine. Do not run engine without supplying water. See above on supplying water to lover drive unit. Look for water leaks on the hoses and for gas leak at the fuel filter.
- Remove moth balls by vacuuming with shop vac.
