How do you winterize a pontoon boat?
7 min read
Asked by: Angella Reyes
How to Winterize a Pontoon Boat
- Get it clean. It is important to thoroughly clean your pontoon boat inside and out before storing it for the winter. …
- Remove equipment. You should remove any miscellaneous equipment from the boat. …
- Prepare your engine. …
- Use Antifreeze. …
- Grease and Lubricate. …
- Cover it up. …
- Removing the battery.
Do pontoons need to be drained?
As pontoon technology has evolved, it seems almost impossible for water to leak into the tube. The only way water would be able to get into the logs or tubes of newer pontoon boats would be due to damage. Other than this particular situation, there really is no need for any kind of drain to get the water out.
Do all pontoons have drain plugs?
Not all pontoon boats have drain plugs. Some do, some don’t, and it seems to be down the manufacturer’s discretion about whether or not to include them in the design of the pontoon tubes. Older boats did tend to have drain plugs, with newer pontoons having an improved design where they have been deemed unnecessary.
How do you wrap a pontoon boat for the winter?
Run the band beginning at the stern. Around the perimeter of the pontoon boat over your shrink wrap. Just under the deck where the two of your pontoon is secured to the deck.
Do you leave antifreeze in boat engine?
It can be left out for the winter, but don’t forget to reinstall it in the spring along with a new gasket. To winterize the engine with antifreeze, you’ll need a five-gallon bucket, and enough antifreeze for your engine and related plumbing (at least two gallons).
Do you put air in pontoons?
And there is a common myth among pontooners that if you put air in the pontoons. It will what like it'll make you float higher in the water or it'll be more rigid.
How do you drain a pontoon boat?
You want to go to the bottom of the tube. So just slide it in nodes on the bottom of the tube. Right. There so hold it ends there and you need to make sure since you use a siphon Princip.
Where is the plug on a pontoon boat?
For instance, there are plugs where pressure is stored from the manufacturing process. These are at the top of the boat. But a drain plug should always be found at the lower back of your pontoon boat.
Why does a pontoon nose dive?
Even if the boat is not overloaded, but the weight is not well distributed, the boat can still nosedive. The use of wrong motors, use of the boat in harsh weather conditions, presence of water in the pontoons, and inappropriate vessel handling are other reasons why a pontoon boat may nosedive.
Do pontoons have foam in them?
Although there are foamed-filled tubes, most pontoon tubes are hollow. Some pontoons are filled with air to help strengthen the inner walls of the tube and to also check for leaks. Many modern hollow pontoon tubes are chambered, being divided inside into sections.
Where do you put antifreeze when winterizing a boat?
Put it down the toilet holding tanks freshwater tanks.
Can I winterize my boat myself?
You need to run antifreeze through the system to get it properly winterized. Winterizing antifreeze can be run through the system to clear out any water present. You’ll want to check in on your boat periodically over the winter to ensure that it is in good condition.
Do you need to run antifreeze through an outboard motor to winterize it?
You do not need to run antifreeze through an outboard, period. They’re designed to drain completely in the tilted-down position, and do not need an ounce of antifreeze.
What type of antifreeze should I use to winterize my boat engine?
West Marine propylene glycol antifreeze
Non-toxic West Marine propylene glycol antifreeze is recommended for winterizing potable water systems and all engines.
Can I use RV antifreeze to winterize my boat motor?
For most parts of winterizing your boat, RV antifreeze can absolutely do the job for a boat.
How do you put antifreeze in a Mercury outboard?
And on the other end all I do is just put a phone and I had a one friend pouring antifreeze into the funnel. And after two or three seconds I started up the motor.
Is fogging a boat motor necessary?
Fogging a boat engine is not completely necessary but is highly recommended. Putting a stabilizer in your gasoline can help reduce the long-term storage issues but is not a guarantee. Essentially, fogging oil is an inexpensive way to better protect your boat engine while it’s left idle.
How do I keep my outboard motor from freezing?
Again trim it all the way back up. And then come back down with it again and when you do that. Just let it sit for a little while make sure all the water drains out of it.
Do outboards self drain?
All outboards have a self-draining cooling system. There is no reason to start the motor with the notion that you are going to purge the last drops from the water pump housing.
Should I leave my outboard motor up or down?
Should I leave my engine up or down? Simply put, if you are leaving the boat in the water, leave it in the up position to avoid growth. If you are leaving it out of the water, trim it down to drain the water and protect the Power Tilt and Trim seals from the sun.
What happens if you don’t winterize your outboard motor?
Winterizing a boat is an essential process unless you plan to make necessary repairs to your boat come springtime. If you do not winterize your boat, any water droplets left could freeze, expand, and crack the components they were in. This could cause anything from blowing off a hose to completely ruining your engine.
At what temperature will a boat motor freeze?
At what temperature will a boat engine freeze? Unwinterized boat engines can freeze any time the air temperature is below 28°F (-2°C) – for an extended period. Freshwater cooled engines without proper coolant can freeze below 32°F (0°C). The good news is you can prevent freeze damage fairly easily.
Can you leave a boat outside in the winter?
So, can boats be stored outside in the winter? You can keep boats outside in the winter if you provide adequate protection against harsh weather. But you can’t simply park the boat on your driveway as most people do during the boating season. Leaving your boat outside during the cold season can damage the boat.
How cold before I need to winterize my boat?
As a general rule, you should look to winterize your boat before the temperatures drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately -3 degrees Celsius.
How do you prepare an outboard for winter?
Winterizing Your Outboard Motor
- Drain the crankcase oil (Four-stroke motors)
- Install a new oil filter (Four-stroke motors)
- Filling the crankcase with new oil (Four-stroke motors)
- Changing the lower unit gear oil.
- Stabilizing the fuel.
- Flushing the outboard with antifreeze.
- Fogging the cylinders.
How much does it cost to winterize an outboard motor?
If you winterize your boat yourself, it will cost you about $250. This price includes the cost of winterizing the engine, the other systems of your boat, and cleaning it, stem to stern, inside and out. However, if you have the work done at a boatyard, expect to spend $500 up.
Do you need to winterize a 4 stroke outboard motor?
Many Yamaha outboard motor owners live in climates where they are taken out of service for the winter months, which means winterizing their outboards is a must. Winterizing your outboard motor is one of the most important maintenance you can perform as a boat owner.
