WINTERIZING - the full way!
#121
Registered
Platinum Member
Here's my full list... I have my marina service my drives, but I do everything else... I have Merc 525EFI's which are closed cooling.
Add Fuel Stabilizer to gas tanks
Unbolt one engine hatch (in case you want to get in over the winter and batteries have been removed)
Clean bilge
Remove batteries
Remove propellers
Remove all electronics
Coat trim tabs with corrosion inhibitor
Coat steering system with corrosion inhibitor
Bounce sheets in engine compartment
Damp-Rid Bag in engine compartment
Drain fresh water tank
Add antifreeze to fresh water tank
Run antifreeze to galley and head sinks and transom shower
Add sanitizer and antifreeze to vacu-flush holding tank through toilet
Clean refrigerator and prop open
Remove pillows, fenders, safety equipment and supplies from cabinets and head
Hang Damp-Rid bag in cabin
Hang Damp-Rid bag in head
Bounce dryer sheets in cabin
Remove fenders, supplies from side compartments in cockpit
Remove tools from under bench seat
Hang Damp-Rid bag in cockpit
Remove cockpit carpeting
Bounce dryer sheets in cockpit
For each engine:
Check spark plugs for signs of any issues (good to know before next spring)
Flush raw water cooling system (run each engine on freshwater for 15 minutes)
Change oil and oil filters
Fog engine on fuel / oil / gas stabilizer mixture
Drain headers and cooling system components of all water
Run engine again with anti-freeze through raw water cooling system while on gasoline / oil mixture
Drain headers, leave drains open
Drain sea water lines between strainers and drives
Blow out sea strainer lines
Drain gas tank / add stabilizer for whatever's left..
Coat engines with corrosion inhibitor
Fill sea strainers with antifreeze
Cover exhaust tips to prevent rodents making a winter home..
There are differing opinions on whether you should store your boat with full or empty gas tanks. Several marine surveyors have told me that if the gas in your boat contains ethanol, you want as much out of the boat as you can as no matter how much stabilizer you put in, you cannot stop the absorption of water and the lower the fuel level, the better. So, I am draining my tanks. To do this, I bought a small 12V fuel pump, wired it to battery clamps and a switch, and then put a 3/8" NPT male adaptor on the inlet hose that I will attach to an output port on the fuel/water filter base and the output hose I will run into a whole bunch of gas cans..
Add Fuel Stabilizer to gas tanks
Unbolt one engine hatch (in case you want to get in over the winter and batteries have been removed)
Clean bilge
Remove batteries
Remove propellers
Remove all electronics
Coat trim tabs with corrosion inhibitor
Coat steering system with corrosion inhibitor
Bounce sheets in engine compartment
Damp-Rid Bag in engine compartment
Drain fresh water tank
Add antifreeze to fresh water tank
Run antifreeze to galley and head sinks and transom shower
Add sanitizer and antifreeze to vacu-flush holding tank through toilet
Clean refrigerator and prop open
Remove pillows, fenders, safety equipment and supplies from cabinets and head
Hang Damp-Rid bag in cabin
Hang Damp-Rid bag in head
Bounce dryer sheets in cabin
Remove fenders, supplies from side compartments in cockpit
Remove tools from under bench seat
Hang Damp-Rid bag in cockpit
Remove cockpit carpeting
Bounce dryer sheets in cockpit
For each engine:
Check spark plugs for signs of any issues (good to know before next spring)
Flush raw water cooling system (run each engine on freshwater for 15 minutes)
Change oil and oil filters
Fog engine on fuel / oil / gas stabilizer mixture
Drain headers and cooling system components of all water
Run engine again with anti-freeze through raw water cooling system while on gasoline / oil mixture
Drain headers, leave drains open
Drain sea water lines between strainers and drives
Blow out sea strainer lines
Drain gas tank / add stabilizer for whatever's left..
Coat engines with corrosion inhibitor
Fill sea strainers with antifreeze
Cover exhaust tips to prevent rodents making a winter home..
There are differing opinions on whether you should store your boat with full or empty gas tanks. Several marine surveyors have told me that if the gas in your boat contains ethanol, you want as much out of the boat as you can as no matter how much stabilizer you put in, you cannot stop the absorption of water and the lower the fuel level, the better. So, I am draining my tanks. To do this, I bought a small 12V fuel pump, wired it to battery clamps and a switch, and then put a 3/8" NPT male adaptor on the inlet hose that I will attach to an output port on the fuel/water filter base and the output hose I will run into a whole bunch of gas cans..
#122
Registered
Awesome list Wally, et al!
Question: Why remove the props?
Also, I'm going the full tank route as pumping out the tanks isn't really an option for me. Would it help to plug up the fuel vents on the side of the boat?
Question: Why remove the props?
Also, I'm going the full tank route as pumping out the tanks isn't really an option for me. Would it help to plug up the fuel vents on the side of the boat?
Last edited by blown; 10-14-2014 at 07:06 AM.
#123
Were doomed!
Charter Member
Thread Starter
I remove props to keep sticky finger away from them!
i wouldn't block the vents on the tank. you don't need fumes building any pressure in the tank as the temps a change with the weather causing problems...granted it probably wouldn't be high pressure but why chance it
i wouldn't block the vents on the tank. you don't need fumes building any pressure in the tank as the temps a change with the weather causing problems...granted it probably wouldn't be high pressure but why chance it
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-Wally
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy horsepower. And I've never seen a sad person hauling a$$!
-Wally
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy horsepower. And I've never seen a sad person hauling a$$!
#125
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
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I try and get Home Depot involved in all my projects, so I made this contraption. It holds 5 gallons of Pink, which is really the bare minimum. I hook it straight to the hose from the strainer to the pump. Nothing gets spilled or sucked up thru drive.
Then I use the same bucket and a drill pump to backflush the intercooler.
Then I use the same bucket and a drill pump to backflush the intercooler.