If you live in a part of the country that experiences freezing temperatures, you probably want to winterize your boat. Doing so will ensure its proper operation the next time you go to fire it up, and prolong the life of your investment.
If you’ve never done it before, the prospect might seem intimidating. But fortunately, the whole process is pretty easy. Here are the steps you should follow to get your boat through the coldest months.
Essential Boat Winterization Steps
- Treat Your Fuel
- Change Engine Oil and Gear Lube
- Check the Prop Shaft
- Grease All Moving Parts
- Check Power Trim Fluid
- Care for Your Batteries
- Drain the Water from Your Boat
Now, let’s go over them in more detail.
1. Treat Your Fuel
Well before you think of calling it a season, you should start treating your boat’s fuel. Use a quality fuel treatment such as Sea Foam Marine PRO, STAR BRITE Star Tron, or STA-BIL 360° Marine in the last couple tanks of the season, letting them work through the fuel system — you want to make sure the treatment gets into the motor, and not just the gas in the tank.
2. Change Engine Oil and Gear Lube
There is a never-ending debate as to whether it’s better to change the lube in your boat’s lower unit in the spring right before launch, or right after you pull it for the year.
We think it makes sense to change it now, as if water somehow ended up in the lower unit it could cause it to crack if it freezes.
Change all your motor’s fluids now, and it will save you valuable fishing time later in the year.
3. Check the Prop Shaft
The leading cause of water in the gear lube is fishing line wrapped on the prop shaft. Even if the lower unit oil wasn’’t milky when you drained it, you should still pull the propeller and check.
Using a block of wood to stop the propeller from spinning and a prop wrench, carefully remove it and place it in a safe place while you examine the splines for damage or wear.
4. Grease All Moving Parts
Now is a great time to grease all moving parts with an appropriate grease. Using a gun filled with marine grease, fill each zerk fitting until fresh grease comes out. Pay particular attention to steering components and tilt points. Don’t be stingy. Make sure any water and old grease is completely pushed out.
5. Check Power Trim Fluid
The power trim and tilt pump does a lot of heavy lifting. Be sure that it has all the advantages it can get by making sure it’s topped off, and all the air is out of the system. As you’re flushing the air from the system, check the condition of the fluid. If it has a pink hue to it it or appears cloudy, water may have made its way in.
6. Care For Your Batteries
Batteries represent a significant investment, so you want to make sure you provide them with the proper care so they last a long time. If you don’t have space for your boat in a heated garage, consider taking the batteries inside.
Top them off with distilled water if needed, and charge them before putting them away. You can also place them on a trickle charger, which will keep the voltage constant and extend the life of the battery.
7. Clean and Drain Your Boat
Water expands as it freezes, so you want to get it out of your boat’s passages and holds so it doesn’t do any damage. When you take the boat out of the water, make sure you let the outboard sit vertically long enough for all the water to drain out of the cooling passages. If your boat has livewells or raw water pumps, make sure all the water has vacated there as well.
Take all the contents off the boat and store them in a safe place, especially electronics. Use fans to move air throughout the hull and dry everything thoroughly. To guard against rodents, you can stick some dryer sheets inside the compartments.
Following these tips will ensure your boat is ready to go when the fish start biting again. So set aside an afternoon, give your investment the attention it deserves, and prepare for the winter. You’ll be glad you did.
