See full version: Do You Have to Winterize an Outboard Motor
Engines in the tilted-up position do not drain all the water from the jacket the way an engine in the upright position does. So take care if you do have a freezing risk, check the engine and take it off the boat to drain if you can't drain it in place. [links]
If you want your engine to start in the spring and last you many years and plan on not using your engine all winter, you do have to winterize an outboard motor. Winterizing the engine helps to prevent damage during disuse, which is the chief cause for engine failure. Failing to winterize may lead to complications.
We used to sail Lasers until our cove froze over in January, and some small powerboats were still in the water for safety. But when the cove froze, we were done. Even if you use your boat for part of the winter, when you are done for the season you should prepare it for storage for the rest of the winter. more
Most of the "winterizing" procedures are "long term storage" procedures to protect the engine from disuse. It's not like winterizing a fresh water system or large block engine, you're fighting corrosion and gunk buildup more than freezing, expansion cracking, and breaking. here
It's more about the long period of disuse than the winter. Don't worry though, it's not complex. You can do it in your driveway in a couple of hours and rest easy for the winter.
Hopefully this year you watched our videos on How to Winterize a Four Stroke Outboard or How to Winterize Your Stern Drive and Pressure Water System, and read through our entire How to Winterize a Boat guide. Hopefully you did everything right, and your boat will enjoy a peaceful winter slumber. hopefully.
Do you leave a space heater onboard, to keep things warm and dry? If so, get in your car right now, go to the boat, and get rid of that heater. Insurance claims from BoatUS prove that this is the number-one reason why boats stowed for the winter go up in flames. [links]
Here's a prime example of how not to store your boat through the winter months. [links]
Keep your motor tilted down in the water during freezing temperatures to keep the water pump from icing over.
Freezing water can also damage the bilge pump and livewell pumps on fishing boats. After each outing, pull the hull drain plug and tilt the bow up to allow all water to drain from the bilge. Then run the bilge pump to make sure it is clear of water. Livewell pumps and lines can be hard to drain completely, and it may be wise to avoid using the wells at all in cold weather. If you do, try to drain the system completely after the boat is on its trailer. [links]
To keep moisture out of your boat fuel system, install a large water-separating fuel filter and keep your boat fuel tank filled to prevent the formation of condensation. [links]
Any engine stored indoors where the temperature will never drop below freezing does not need antifreeze.
It's more about the long period of disuse than the winter. Don't worry though, it's not complex. You can do it in your driveway in a couple of hours and rest easy for the winter.
Even if cold weather isn't the major risk your engine is facing, any outboard which won't be used for a long time should be prepared for a layup. What you are trying to avoid is corrosion, buildup, old fuel and rust. A tall sawhorse or an outboard carrying bracket is handy for these jobs if you take the engine off the boat for storage.
In the worst-case scenario, if you don't winterize your boat and you store it in below-freezing temperatures, water left inside engine cavities can freeze and expand, cracking parts of the engine. Even if you store it in a garage or basement, old fuel left in the engine can gunk up carburetors and not burn well when you start in the spring. Dirty oil with acidic deposits can damage metal components, and salt left inside cooling and circulation chambers can cause buildup or corrosion. Or both.
If you want your engine to start in the spring and last you many years and plan on not using your engine all winter, you do have to winterize an outboard motor. Winterizing the engine helps to prevent damage during disuse, which is the chief cause for engine failure. Failing to winterize may lead to complications.
Engines in the tilted-up position do not drain all the water from the jacket the way an engine in the upright position does. So take care if you do have a freezing risk, check the engine and take it off the boat to drain if you can't drain it in place. [links]