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Directions to Winterize Inboard and Stern Drive Boats 2
Winter Maintenance Tips
Winterize now, Enjoy Later!
The two items you need to prepare your boat for Winter is of course, one or two good electric blankets and a new waterproof tarp, or a down-filled sleeping bag.
Wait a minute....that's what you need if you spend too much time with your boat!
To winterize your stern-drive just follow the steps here after completing the tasks on the preceeding page. Go ahead and put the battery in the garage and on your way back out grab a large screwdriver, a drain pan, and some rags. Start by draining and changing lube in outdrive; see:
changing lube in outdrives
Grease all lubrication fitting well; a couple may be under little caps or otherwise hard to locate. Check your owner's manual for locations on your model.
Inspect all the rubber bellows, clamps, and hoses for cracks or deterioration and spray with a rubber preserver or silicone.
Replace any corroded Zinc anodes with new ones; be sure the area where zinc contacts drive is shiny aluminum for a good contact. The zinc will not prevent electrolysis on on more expensive parts without a good ground. New zinc anodes are cheap and have done a fine job if they are eaten away by corrosion. Replace the self-sacrificing zincs yearly instead of your out-drive.
Remove the prop and spacer(s) and inspect the shaft and seal area(look for fishing line wrapped around near the seal behind the rear spacer). Lube prop shaft with a good waterproof grease or Perfect Seal from Mercury Marine. Replace prop and spacers and tighten and secure as necessary.
Now you need to touch up any areas with bare metal or missing paint. After it dries, wipe down entire outdrive with an oily rag or spray with a good corrosion and rust preventive spray.
Every 100 or so hours the U-joints require greasing. Thi task requires removal of outdrive, if you do this now, be sure to check engine alignment and double-check the bellows and hoses.
Trim your drive to a complete down position so no water collects and freezes and you should be in pretty good shape for the Winter. Before Spring, check back for tips to get back in the water and have fun boating again.
 
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