Putting The Boat to Bed
By Justin Hoffman

As the days grow shorter and the chills begin to take hold, the sad task of preparing the boat for its yearly hibernation has once again arrived. Winterizing your pride and joy is a necessary step to protect your investment while in deep freeze, and will also see it running in tip-top shape once the season resumes.

Although the task does take some know-how and effort, the end results are most certainly worth it.

Getting Started
It is recommended you consult your owner’s manual, for both boat and motor, before beginning any winterization measures, as some may have specific recommendations. If you don’t feel confident with DIY tasks, please leave the process to a professional marine mechanic.

Winterizing your boat follows a few simple rules that, for the most part, aren’t too difficult. Take your time, double check your work and keep a checklist handy to mark off each job as it is completed.

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.

Removing the drain plug is the first plan of attack. Doing so will allow any water to trickle out, alleviating the issues of freezing liquid, and the cracking of the hull it can cause when the temperature plummets. Raising the bow higher than the stern will ensure that this won’t occur.

Remove all items from your boat, including seats, electronics, life jacket and fishing equipment. Electronics, such as fish finders and trolling motors, should be stored inside. Emptying the boat will prevent items from getting wet and ruined, while also reducing the chance of animals building nests. I like to toss a handful of mothballs under the cover and into compartments to further deter pesky rodents.

With your equipment out of the boat, an inventory can be completed over the winter months on items that need to be replaced or fixed. Check for holes, worn or broken parts.

Remove the batteries from the boat. Clean the terminals with a wire brush and a baking soda and water mixture, and apply some dielectric grease once they are dry. Check water levels and fill up if need be – always use distilled water. The battery should be fully charged at this time, and then periodically charged throughout the winter months to keep it topped up. (Check it at the first of every month, and mark it on a calendar so you will remember.)

The Outboard Engine
 Winterizing an outboard motor involves a few steps, but once figured out, they aren’t all that complicated. First step is to fill up all gas tanks, as this will eliminate moisture build-up over the winter months. Check hoses, bulbs and connectors, and replace if leaks or deterioration is present.

Change the fuel filter and water separator, and add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank, in order to ensure that the gas will be fresh come spring.

Attach a pair of water mufflers to your garden hose and slide over water intake vents on lower end of motor. While the water is running, start engine and allow it to idle for 15 minutes. This will ensure that adequate fuel stabilizer will get through the entire system. With the engine running, spray a fogging agent through the carburetors until smoke is visible from the exhaust and the motor kills. This oil will cover everything inside the motor, which alleviates the chance of moisture occurring.

Four stroke engines should have the spark plugs removed and the fogging agent applied to the cylinder walls, spark plugs and pistons.

The flywheel (see owner’s manual) should be spun a few times by hand in order to distribute the oil evenly.

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.

Coat the entire engine body with a silicone anti-corrosion spray. This will prevent moisture from adhering to parts and doing harm.

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, and it is 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.

emove the propeller and inspect for fishing line or weeds that may have become entangled along the shaft. If damage is evident on seals, they will need to be replaced. While the prop is off, give it the once over for cracks, bends or breaks. If wear is bad, replacing the unit or getting it rebuilt would be your best bet. Coat the shaft with lube and replace prop.

Bilges and Livewells
Bilges and livewells should both be thoroughly washed and dried out. If water does remain, it can lead to damage caused by freezing. A small amount of antifreeze can be added to both of these areas as a preventative measure, but must be thoroughly washed out from the livewells before using them again.
Hull

Now is the time to inspect the bottom and sides of your hull. Be on the lookout for cracks, damaged or missing rivets or weak joints. Minor damage can be a DIY project, but major damage will need the attention of a professional.
Trailer

The trailer is an important part of the winterizing process. I like to check all lights for water, drying them out completely. Pull the bulbs and give the sockets a small spray of a moisture repellent. Check the condition of the seals, and replace light covers.

Inspect the wiring harness (put a dollop of dielectric grease on connectors and cap them for the winter), the trailer bunks, and winch.

Jack up each wheel and give the tires a spin. If any sort of grating noise is heard, or if the tire is not running freely, chances are you have a bearing problem. This will need to be looked at more closely. If things seem good, pull the wheel assembly and clean and re-pack with fresh grease. Once the wheels have been put back on, top up the grease through the bearing protectors.

Check the condition of the tires for wear, and also for the proper inflation.

It is best to remove the wheels and store the tires inside, as this will protect them from the elements, as well as the “flat spots” that can occur when a trailer sits over time. Make sure you block the trailer first before beginning this step.

Jacking the trailer by raising the axels while keeping the springs in the load position is the correct way to go about storing the boat.
Cover

The boat should be well covered once all the above steps are completed. Start with the actual boat cover, then a series of poly sheets can be placed over top. Tie down snugly, with rope and bungee cords, in order to get a tight and secure fit. Wind and the elements can get under a cover that leaves the smallest of drafts, so don’t be afraid to take this step to the extreme.

As you can see, winterizing your boat doesn’t have to be a tough job. Although I’ve covered the basics above, this list will get you well on your way for giving your boat the proper rest it needs. Don’t worry – spring is just around the corner!