Soon it will be time for boats to hit the hay for the winter. Beyond the standard operating winterization tasks we’re all pretty familiar with, what do you also do that might help someone else, got any tips? I’ll start with these:
TIP: I drain my outboards fuel line and primer bulb of all fuel!
TIP: I drain my tank of any remaining fuel for use in the snowblower.
TIP: Just in case there is any small pocket of water remaining in the motor after flushing, I tilt the motor up and with a large plastic bin cover under the motor, I remove the "tell-tale" hose and run the tube into the bottom of a small funnel, I then "safely" pour a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze into the funnel until it begins to drain out the lower unit, the plastic bin cover catches the run-off. I then put a coffee filter in the bottom of the funnel and pour the anti-freeze run-off from the plastic lid back into the anti-freeze container for use next year.
TIP: I raise and securely block my trailer so the boat is not sitting on the suspension, I then spray a liberal amount of armor-all on both tires completely covering the rubber with an ample amount. This replaces a chemical in the rubber which UV light leaches out (which is why trailer tires tend to crack among other things), I then cover the tires or remove them into the shed.
TIP: I spray the trailer down with WD40, and check / service the bearings making sure no water is in them over winter!
TIP: I make sure the boat is positioned so any water that might get under the cover drains out.
TIP: I spread many (20+) dryer fabric softener sheets throughout the hull and on the deck everywhere under the cover. This old trick keeps the critters out and it does work!
I've got other tips but I’d like to hear a few from the forum?
TIP: I drain my outboards fuel line and primer bulb of all fuel!
TIP: I drain my tank of any remaining fuel for use in the snowblower.
TIP: Just in case there is any small pocket of water remaining in the motor after flushing, I tilt the motor up and with a large plastic bin cover under the motor, I remove the "tell-tale" hose and run the tube into the bottom of a small funnel, I then "safely" pour a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze into the funnel until it begins to drain out the lower unit, the plastic bin cover catches the run-off. I then put a coffee filter in the bottom of the funnel and pour the anti-freeze run-off from the plastic lid back into the anti-freeze container for use next year.
TIP: I raise and securely block my trailer so the boat is not sitting on the suspension, I then spray a liberal amount of armor-all on both tires completely covering the rubber with an ample amount. This replaces a chemical in the rubber which UV light leaches out (which is why trailer tires tend to crack among other things), I then cover the tires or remove them into the shed.
TIP: I spray the trailer down with WD40, and check / service the bearings making sure no water is in them over winter!
TIP: I make sure the boat is positioned so any water that might get under the cover drains out.
TIP: I spread many (20+) dryer fabric softener sheets throughout the hull and on the deck everywhere under the cover. This old trick keeps the critters out and it does work!
I've got other tips but I’d like to hear a few from the forum?