Directions to Winterize Inboard and Stern Drive Boats
Winter Maintenance Tips
Winter Maintenance for Summer Enjoyment
Well, Well, it's getting close to that time of year for your "Pride and Joy" to hibernate for the winter.
The fish you caught last summer start to grow each time you share the story on those nights out.It is important to winterize your boat and motor; you can do it yourself in an afternoon!
Let's go over a few things you need to do to be sure your engine and stern-drive are as ready as you are come Spring!
These are general guidelines to follow when storing your boat for the winter. BE SURE TO READ TO THE END: some particular tips for certain models may be listed at bottom of pages.
Start the engine and allow it to warm
to normal operating temperature.
CAUTION: Water must circulate
through the stern drive to the engine any
time the engine is run to prevent damage to
the water pump in the stern drive. Just a short while without water can damage the pump.
If the engine is equipped with a closed or fresh-water cooling system, check the anti-
freeze.
Add rust inhibitor if the anti-freeze
has been used for more than one season.
If
the solution is contaminated; flush and re-
place with a new mixture of 50/50 ethylene
glycol and water. Stop the engine, drain the
oil in the crankcase, and remove the oil
filter.
Install a NEW filter element; and
then fill the crankcase with the prescribed
weight and amount of oil.
Start the engine
and allow it to run at a high idle for a few
minutes.
Stop the engine and check the oil level as indicated on the dip
stick.
Some amount of oil may remain in
the engine without draining down into the
crankcase.
A slightly lower reading may be indicated on the dip stick.
Add only enough oil to bring the reading into
the safe running range above the ADD mark
to allow for the amount of oil still in
various areas of the engine.
Add the recommended amount of 2+4 Fuel stabilizer to fuel tank and fill tank with fuel to prevent condensation build-up over winter. Start the engine and run it
at a fast idle. Remove the flame arrestor and
SLOWLY pour about a pint of 20-20W SAE oil into the carburetor air intake while
running the engine at a fast idle.
Pour the last 4 or so ounces in fast enough to shut motor down or turn it off immediately. Order storage and fogging spray or it can be purchased at your local Boat shop to spray in carburetor and in spark plug holes instead of 20-20W oil.
Clean the fuel
filter and sediment bowl. Install the bowl
with a NEW gasket. Clean the flame arrestor in solvent,
and then blow it dry with compressed air.
Lubricate the steering, throttle, and shift control linkage.
Remove all of the spark plugs and
squirt about a teaspoonful of 20-20 oil or spray Fogging oil into each cylinder.
Crank the
engine over several times to allow the oil to
coat the cylinders.
Remove any excess
oil from around the spark plug holes, and
then install the spark plugs.
If the engine is equipped
with a raw-water cooling system, open all of
the engine and manifold water jacket drains.
Allow the water to drain completely.
ALWAYS have the stern drive in a horizontal position when draining the system to
ensure all of the water is able to leave the
system. If the stern drive is not horizontal,
water will be trapped inside. Leave all of the drains open.
Disconnect
the water hoses at the lowest end and allow
them to drain.
Loosen adjustment bolts to relax tension on fan belts as needed. Hit all the grease fitting with your grease gun and apply some lube to moving parts,linkages, etc. Clean any rusted areas on engine and touch up with paint or primer.
After that dries wipe entire motor down with an oily rag or spray with a good corrosion and rust preventive. You're about done in the boat; cover the engine; disconnect the batteries and remove them to a cool dry area inside your garage for the winter. Once you get out of the boat you can continue the winter prep on page 2 Stern Drive Storage. We haven't covered washing and waxing the hull or cleaning and preventing mildew etc. in the cabin, but that's mostly elbow grease and soap.
Get a good quality cover for your boat that breathes.
Don't forget the bottom while your at it!
Keep it Clean - Your boat bottom will be quickest if it is perfectly smooth. Dirt and slime buildup will slow you down. Clean the bottom with a strong cleaner. Wet sand any tough bumps in the running surface with 400-600 grit paper. You don't need wax, in some cases it may slow you down.
 
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