See full version: Winterizing Your Boat: Step-by-Step Guide
If your boat has a hot water heater, be sure to run both hot and cold faucets to make sure antifreeze has worked its way through the heater, too. In some cases, you may be able to bypass the hot water heater and drain it separately. [links]
With the power system taken care of, many boat owners will now need to turn their attention to plumbing systems. [links]
Outboard engines are designed to drain all the water from their cooling systems completely, when tilted in the down position. So lesson number-one is to tilt the engine down all the way, and leave it there. Covering it is a good idea, but make sure there’s enough ventilation that condensation doesn’t form.
Inboards require a treatment similar to that of stern-drives, though you can eliminate the drive system from the equation. The engine can be drained by opening petcocks or removing plugs, or you can run antifreeze through the system (which is usually the preferred method). here
Be sure to concentrate on these systems during the winterization process:
Finally, don’t forget about your boat’s bilges. Drain plugs should be removed (assuming the boat’s on dry land, of course), and you should take a peek belowdecks to make sure the boat’s positioned to drain properly and thoroughly. Now, you’re ready to cover the boat… and start looking forward to the day when you can prepare for the spring boating season and get back out there on the water.
Drain the lower unit of oil, keeping a close eye out for a cloudy or milky appearance. If that is present, chances are you have a problem with your seals, it's best to consult a marine mechanic with this problem. If the oil seems fine, pump fresh oil in the lower screw hole until it seeps out of the upper screw hole. Replace top screw first, then the lower.
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, give your boat, trailer and engine a good and thorough cleaning. This will remove the entire season's dirt, and will leave the boat sparkling clean when the cover is removed come spring. (Please see my feature guide, "Cleaning Your Boat from Top to Bottom," for helpful tips and tricks.) [links]
BoatBuckle Retractable Tie-Down
System
Now is the time to inspect the bottom and sides of your boat hull. Be on the lookout for cracks, damaged or missing rivets and weak joints. Minor damage can be a do-it-yourself project, but major damage will need the attention of a professional.
As the days grow shorter and winter's chill begins to take hold, the sad task of preparing the boat for its yearly hibernation has once again arrived. Winterizing your boat is a necessary step to protect your investment while in deep freeze; it's also a good way to ensure that your boat is running in tip-top shape once the season resumes. Although the task does take some know-how and effort, the end result — a boat that starts come spring — is most certainly worth it.
Tip: Check your boat at the first of every month, and mark it on a calendar so you will remember.
Check spark plugs for wear and tear. I prefer to keep the old plugs in during the winter and replace with new ones come spring. Make sure to gap them correctly when installing. here
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, give your boat, trailer and engine a good and thorough cleaning. This will remove the entire season's dirt, and will leave the boat sparkling clean when the cover is removed come spring. (Please see my feature guide, "Cleaning Your Boat from Top to Bottom," for helpful tips and tricks.)
Drain the lower unit of oil, keeping a close eye out for a cloudy or milky appearance. If that is present, chances are you have a problem with your seals, it's best to consult a marine mechanic with this problem. If the oil seems fine, pump fresh oil in the lower screw hole until it seeps out of the upper screw hole. Replace top screw first, then the lower. here
If you did not change the engine oil when you put the boat up for the season, now is the time to do it. Make sure you change the oil filter also. Check the oil in the outdrive.
You also should have topped off the tank with gas to prevent any moisture and condensation forming in the tank and diluting the gas. Change the fuel filter. Make sure the fuel line is attached and not cracked. In the winter these hoses can become dry and brittle. here
So, you have got that itching spring fever to uncover the boat and get her wet for the first time this season. There is nothing worse than being gathered at the dock with a boat-load of people and you turn the key and. rrr..rrr..rrr. and nothing. It is likely this will happen if you do not take the time to de-winterize your boat. Do an inspection before setting out on the first trip of the season.
Take the distributor cap off and clean it out. Corrosion could have occurred during the winter. Make sure all connections are restored. here