Is winterizing a boat necessary?

Asked by: Tammy Sanders

If your boat has a sterndrive or inboard engine that has been treated with anti-freeze, and there’s a chance of more freezing weather, you’ll need to have the engine winterized again if you launch the boat. This is an inconvenience and expense that deters most boat owners from taking a mid-winter cruise.

Do you need to winterize a closed system boat?

Many popular Mercruiser sterndrive and inboard engines use a closed cooling system that adds many years to the engine’s life but requires a bit more care than open systems. Winterizing time is the perfect opportunity to take care of the closed cooling system, helping you ensure a trouble-free boating season next year.

Do you have to winterize an inboard motor?

If you’ve got an inboard or a sterndrive (inboard/outboard) boat motor, then winterizing is an absolute must-do. This process prevents gunk from building up, keeps condensation out of the fuel tank and just overall keeps your engine healthy.

Why dont you have to winterize an outboard?

If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines. Fuels break down or grow dirty.

How do you winterize a freshwater outboard motor?

Disconnect the hose from the main tank at the filter. Connect the remote tank and run for five minutes at 1,300 rpm. Shut down and replace the oil, filter and fuel filter. Fully drain the raw-water side of a closed-cooled engine, including the manifolds, seawater pump and heat exchanger.

How do you winterize a raw water system on a boat?

Turn on fresh water pump to run water through sinks, showers, wash down shower/hoses, etc. until you see the water change from clear water to pink water. Empty the hot water tank and run hot water through all systems until the water changes from clear to pink. Pour antifreeze down the shower drains into the sump pumps.

How long can a boat sit without being winterized?

Temperatures below 30F for >24 hours is generally where you have to start getting concerned.

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.

How much does it cost to winterize a boat?

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 small outboards need to be winterized?

If you’re like other countless owners who leave their boats floating on all the time, winterizing is your best friend. This especially true if you take your small outboard to salt water and don’t flush it regularly during the summer season. It’s definitely time to tidy up and winterize your engines.

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.

Do you need to run antifreeze through an outboard motor?

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.

Do I need to winterize my boat if I keep it in the garage?

You’re going to need it. According to BOATUS, in preparation for winter, you’ll want to run antifreeze through cooling systems, flush it through and fill the air conditioning system, flush the water intake and run antifreeze through it (if in lower unit), and ensure that water strainers are filled with antifreeze.

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.