Boat Winterization

Cat Staff · 09-07-2017, 11:59 AM

New to boating, I'm looking for the best place to have my 18' Sea Ray Bowrider winterized. The closer to Meredith the better but if I have to go a distance, I'm willing to do that for good service.

Doobs41378 · 09-07-2017, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Staff

New to boating, I'm looking for the best place to have my 18' Sea Ray Bowrider winterized. The closer to Meredith the better but if I have to go a distance, I'm willing to do that for good service.

I bring mine to Getty Shine in Gilford for detailing, shrink wrap and winterization.

https://www.facebook.com/GettyShineMobileDetailingLlc/

Poor Richard · 09-07-2017, 12:53 PM

If you're reasonably mechanical, the job is very easy to perform.

When I was learning about boat winterization, everything I read made it sound like voodoo magic. Turns out it isn't.

Fog engine, drain water and pour in propylene glycol. Add a gallon on Sea Foam to the fuel tank (or drain the tank). Grease out drive and power steering fittings.

VitaBene · 09-07-2017, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

If you're reasonably mechanical, the job is very easy to perform.

When I was learning about boat winterization, everything I read made it sound like voodoo magic. Turns out it isn't.

Fog engine, drain water and pour in propylene glycol. Add a gallon on Sea Foam to the fuel tank (or drain the tank). Grease out drive and power steering fittings.

Mechanical... and a contortionist! Most 18 foot boats don't give you much room to work with!

I use Independent Marine in Moultonborough.

8gv · 09-07-2017, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

If you're reasonably mechanical, the job is very easy to perform.

When I was learning about boat winterization, everything I read made it sound like voodoo magic. Turns out it isn't.

Fog engine, drain water and pour in propylene glycol. Add a gallon on Sea Foam to the fuel tank (or drain the tank). Grease out drive and power steering fittings.

Self winterizing is not for everyone but here's how I used to do it on my V-6 equipped Sea Ray 182:

Put fuel stabiler in last tank of gas for the season.
Run the boat around on the water to thoroughly heat up oil and get stabilizer into carburetor.
Pull boat home on trailer.
Put water ear muffs on out drive and start the motor to get hot oil moving around a bit.
Turn off boat.
Change oil and filter.
Use a pump that screws onto the oil dipstick tube for this.
The pump with a small diameter tube that is pushed down the dipstick tube was a failure from me.
Restart boat (with water flowing) and run it for about ten minutes to circulate new oil.
Turn off boat.
Set up anti freeze bucket with hose from bucket to ear muffs.
Fill bucket with three to five gallons of pink -50° antifreeze.
Remove spark arrester from engine.
Start antifreeze flow through ear muffs.
Start engine.
Observe coolant as it leaves engine.
Once it is fully pink, start sprayong fogging oil into carburetor intake.
DON'T LET THE ENGINE RUN OUT OF ANTIFREEZE AND RUN DRY.
If you are fast you will only need three gallons.
Fog until the engine quits.
Remove blue cooling system plugs. Look carefully all around the engine so you
don't miss any.
Replace spark arrester.

Replace spin-on fuel filter/water separater if equipped.

Using Vise-Grip needle nose pliers pinch closed the tube feeding oil to the outdrive from the oil reservoir.
Drain outdrive oil.
Observe quantity and color as it drains. Tan and milky means you have a bad seal allowing water into the gear case. So does any visible water coming out. No oil coming out is bad too!
Refill gear case using correct oil and the manufacturer's instructions.
Remove pinch pliers.

Pull boat drain plug.
Pull prop.
Grease prop shaft
Replace prop and cover it to prevent mice from nesting in it.
Lowes and HD sell a rubber plumbing cap with clamp that fits the prop perfectly.

Put boat in its storage location.
Trim drive down to almost touch the floor or ground.
Pull battery.
Put battery on battery maintainer for the winter.

All of the required items can be bought at WalMart, Parafunalia or any marine store.

I'll bet there are some additional or differing opinions on this that will be posted soon.

It is an advantage to have your boat on a trailer so you can do this yourself. My current boat is too big for that and as a result, I can only change the oil.

Poor Richard · 09-07-2017, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Mechanical... and a contortionist! Most 18 foot boats don't give you much room to work with!.

True.

OP - It's time for a bigger boat so you can save some money winterizing yourself.

Seaplane Pilot · 09-07-2017, 05:33 PM

1) Bring boat to marina
2) Leave marina and go to favorite pub for a beer

3) Relax and let marina deal with the winterizing

joey2665 · 09-07-2017, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

1) Bring boat to marina
2) Leave marina and go to favorite pub for a beer

3) Relax and let marina deal with the winterizing

That's is an awesome plan.

ishoot308 · 09-07-2017, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

1) Bring boat to marina
2) Leave marina and go to favorite pub for a beer

3) Relax and let marina deal with the winterizing

Now that's what I'm talking about!!

Dan

kawishiwi · 09-07-2017, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

That's is an awesome plan.

Step 1. Once I am done for the year I call the marina and tell them the slip number I am in.
Step 2. May 1 I call and tell them what slip # I want to be in.
Done & done.
I have become quite lazy in my old age.

VitaBene · 09-07-2017, 06:51 PM

Time vs money! Right now I have less time! $100 bucks and the peace of mind knowing that the shop carries insurance in the event of a bad winterization.

Luckily, my winterizing screwup 15 years ago was on a 350 chevy (mercruiser) that was tired anyway- at least that is what I keep telling myself. 1500 long block and a weekend to swap it out. If it happens to my 6.2 MPI, it would be very costly!

8gv · 09-07-2017, 07:05 PM

Although I realized that some folks could easily do the work but prefer not to...

Sometimes I think being handy can be a curse!

Consider this equation:

Mechanical ability to do the task.

PLUS

A frugal, somewhat cheap, nature.

EQUALS

I do my own work even when I have better things to do.

tummyman · 09-07-2017, 07:14 PM

For those on the frugal side, who leaves their batteries in the boat for the winter with the cables detached? Seems the Marina's must do this, as it seems like a logistical nightmare to remove all those batteries and store them inside. I rationalize that car batteries are outside in all kinds of cold weather, so why not leave the boat battery outside? I may have to put the charger on them n spring, but I would like your thoughts and comments....
Thanks

Doobs41378 · 09-07-2017, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tummyman

For those on the frugal side, who leaves their batteries in the boat for the winter with the cables detached? Seems the Marina's must do this, as it seems like a logistical nightmare to remove all those batteries and store them inside. I rationalize that car batteries are outside in all kinds of cold weather, so why not leave the boat battery outside? I may have to put the charger on them n spring, but I would like your thoughts and comments....

Thanks

My battery stays in the boat all winter.

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

HellRaZoR004 · 09-07-2017, 10:14 PM

Mine stay in the boat also.

Cat Staff · 09-08-2017, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

1) Bring boat to marina
2) Leave marina and go to favorite pub for a beer

3) Relax and let marina deal with the winterizing

My questions was (and is) WHICH marina?

Cat Staff · 09-08-2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawishiwi

Step 1. Once I am done for the year I call the marina and tell them the slip number I am in.
Step 2. May 1 I call and tell them what slip # I want to be in.
Done & done.
I have become quite lazy in my old age.

WHICH Marina?

joey2665 · 09-08-2017, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Staff

WHICH Marina?

I do the exact same thing. I use Irwin and I am not charged for the pick up and drop off, its included in winterization costs.

Garcia · 09-08-2017, 12:07 PM

I go to Shep Brown's - and have for decades. I really like their service department. I don't know how their prices compare to others because I have never felt the need to shop around. Everyone is professional, attentive, nice, and I have never had an issue with any of the work they have done.

thinkxingu · 09-08-2017, 01:09 PM

We use Melvin Village Marina--it's where we bought our new boat, and they've done everything right to keep our business.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

kawishiwi · 09-08-2017, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Staff

WHICH Marina?

Trexlers, right next door.

Seaplane Pilot · 09-08-2017, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Staff

My questions was (and is) WHICH marina?

Lakeport Landing

LIforrelaxin · 09-08-2017, 03:11 PM

So here my take and 2 cents....

A Marina has insurance and if they screw up the winterization it is on them...I allow them to take on that responsibility.... They come to my house pick the trailer and boat up, and in the spring, after I put the dock in, I tell them when I want to see the boat back... I arrive Friday night, its there at the dock and I am ready to have fun.... I never worry about where to store the boat, how much snow is on it, etc. etc. etc.....

What does this equate too... me being able to spend my spring and fall doing maintence to the property that I want to do in the summer... and not loosing a day twice a year to prep the boat, and put it to bed.

TiltonBB · 09-09-2017, 07:28 AM

It sounds like the OP trailers his boat and I would assume that he has a place to store the boat for the winter. Winterizing and shrink wrapping seem to be the only thing he needs. If that is the case, everyone seems to have a relationship with a marina on the lake that they have used for years.

Miles Marine in Gilford will do it and they do good work at a fair price. I have used them for many things over the last 20 years and I have always been more than satisfied with the quality of the work and the price.

joey2665 · 09-09-2017, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

So here my take and 2 cents....

A Marina has insurance and if they screw up the winterization it is on them...I allow them to take on that responsibility.... They come to my house pick the trailer and boat up, and in the spring, after I put the dock in, I tell them when I want to see the boat back... I arrive Friday night, its there at the dock and I am ready to have fun.... I never worry about where to store the boat, how much snow is on it, etc. etc. etc.....

What does this equate too... me being able to spend my spring and fall doing maintence to the property that I want to do in the summer... and not loosing a day twice a year to prep the boat, and put it to bed.

Awesome point on liability. Never thought of that but just another reason to sleep easy when the marina handles winterization.

09-07-2017, 11:59 AM	#1
Cat Staff Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Boat Winterization New to boating, I'm looking for the best place to have my 18' Sea Ray Bowrider winterized. The closer to Meredith the better but if I have to go a distance, I'm willing to do that for good service.

09-07-2017, 05:33 PM	#7
Seaplane Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,177 Thanks: 664 Thanked 943 Times in 368 Posts	My procedure 1) Bring boat to marina 2) Leave marina and go to favorite pub for a beer 3) Relax and let marina deal with the winterizing

09-07-2017, 07:14 PM	#13
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 833 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	Batteries For those on the frugal side, who leaves their batteries in the boat for the winter with the cables detached? Seems the Marina's must do this, as it seems like a logistical nightmare to remove all those batteries and store them inside. I rationalize that car batteries are outside in all kinds of cold weather, so why not leave the boat battery outside? I may have to put the charger on them n spring, but I would like your thoughts and comments.... Thanks

09-08-2017, 03:11 PM	#23
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,871 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	So here my take and 2 cents.... A Marina has insurance and if they screw up the winterization it is on them...I allow them to take on that responsibility.... They come to my house pick the trailer and boat up, and in the spring, after I put the dock in, I tell them when I want to see the boat back... I arrive Friday night, its there at the dock and I am ready to have fun.... I never worry about where to store the boat, how much snow is on it, etc. etc. etc..... What does this equate too... me being able to spend my spring and fall doing maintence to the property that I want to do in the summer... and not loosing a day twice a year to prep the boat, and put it to bed. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

09-07-2017, 12:53 PM	#3
Poor Richard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: The humbling river Posts: 304 Thanks: 42 Thanked 80 Times in 57 Posts	If you're reasonably mechanical, the job is very easy to perform. When I was learning about boat winterization, everything I read made it sound like voodoo magic. Turns out it isn't. Fog engine, drain water and pour in propylene glycol. Add a gallon on Sea Foam to the fuel tank (or drain the tank). Grease out drive and power steering fittings.

09-07-2017, 06:51 PM	#11
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,579 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 1,633 Times in 840 Posts	Time vs money! Right now I have less time! $100 bucks and the peace of mind knowing that the shop carries insurance in the event of a bad winterization. Luckily, my winterizing screwup 15 years ago was on a 350 chevy (mercruiser) that was tired anyway- at least that is what I keep telling myself. 1500 long block and a weekend to swap it out. If it happens to my 6.2 MPI, it would be very costly!

09-07-2017, 07:05 PM	#12
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,093 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	Although I realized that some folks could easily do the work but prefer not to... Sometimes I think being handy can be a curse! Consider this equation: Mechanical ability to do the task. PLUS A frugal, somewhat cheap, nature. EQUALS I do my own work even when I have better things to do.

09-07-2017, 10:14 PM	#15
HellRaZoR004 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Litchfield/Gilford Posts: 828 Thanks: 233 Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts	Mine stay in the boat also.

09-08-2017, 12:07 PM	#19
Garcia Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 607 Thanks: 136 Thanked 277 Times in 169 Posts	I go to Shep Brown's - and have for decades. I really like their service department. I don't know how their prices compare to others because I have never felt the need to shop around. Everyone is professional, attentive, nice, and I have never had an issue with any of the work they have done.

09-08-2017, 01:09 PM	#20
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,226 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	We use Melvin Village Marina--it's where we bought our new boat, and they've done everything right to keep our business. Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

09-09-2017, 07:28 AM	#24
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,994 Thanks: 696 Thanked 2,196 Times in 931 Posts	It sounds like the OP trailers his boat and I would assume that he has a place to store the boat for the winter. Winterizing and shrink wrapping seem to be the only thing he needs. If that is the case, everyone seems to have a relationship with a marina on the lake that they have used for years. Miles Marine in Gilford will do it and they do good work at a fair price. I have used them for many things over the last 20 years and I have always been more than satisfied with the quality of the work and the price.