Winterizing a boat yourself

Blue Thunder · 10-11-2011, 10:11 AM

So I've been winterizing my own boat, 4 or 5 different ones over the last 30 years or so. I pulled mine yesterday. It a 2000 Four Winns 5.7 Gsi DP. I have always used the "pull the four hoses off the thermostat block" method of adding the antifreeze after draining the block. In my case, I manually drain the raw water pump because it is attached to the engine inside, not the typical impeller in the outdrive style. I use 2 gallons of AF using this method.

My question is...who uses a different method such as the portable tank that you fill with 5 gallons of AF and connect to the outdrive with the flushing "ear muffs" and run the engine? Does this work and will it work on systems that have the heat exchanger for the hot water tank in boats with a potable water system?

BT

Blue Thunder · 10-16-2011, 04:01 PM

No one???? Really???

Shreddy · 10-16-2011, 07:34 PM

I do, and I did it today. Pulled the boat out of the water, on/off to clean the hull. Pump the oil out, and change the filter. Add new oil and new filter. Finally, we have a portable 5 gallon tank and run about 3.5 to 4 gallons of antifreeze through the outdrive and when it's just about complete I spray the carbs to fog the motor and let the engine stall. Have never had a problem doing it this way as long as we've done it. This is 1994 Four Winns 220 Horizon. Very easy to do and saves a ton of money at any local establishment.

brk-lnt · 10-16-2011, 08:26 PM

I just pay to have my boat winterized.

The last one I did "manually" was a twin-screw inboard setup, and used a procedure similar to what you describe. It really wasn't feasible to use a bucket of antifreeze method.

jst_4_kiks · 10-17-2011, 12:34 AM

Pming much needed information for you

10-11-2011, 10:11 AM	#1
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 935 Thanks: 247 Thanked 323 Times in 148 Posts	Winterizing a boat yourself So I've been winterizing my own boat, 4 or 5 different ones over the last 30 years or so. I pulled mine yesterday. It a 2000 Four Winns 5.7 Gsi DP. I have always used the "pull the four hoses off the thermostat block" method of adding the antifreeze after draining the block. In my case, I manually drain the raw water pump because it is attached to the engine inside, not the typical impeller in the outdrive style. I use 2 gallons of AF using this method. My question is...who uses a different method such as the portable tank that you fill with 5 gallons of AF and connect to the outdrive with the flushing "ear muffs" and run the engine? Does this work and will it work on systems that have the heat exchanger for the hot water tank in boats with a potable water system? BT __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

10-16-2011, 04:01 PM	#2
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 935 Thanks: 247 Thanked 323 Times in 148 Posts	No one???? Really??? __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

10-16-2011, 07:34 PM	#3
Shreddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 504 Thanks: 173 Thanked 207 Times in 112 Posts	I do I do, and I did it today. Pulled the boat out of the water, on/off to clean the hull. Pump the oil out, and change the filter. Add new oil and new filter. Finally, we have a portable 5 gallon tank and run about 3.5 to 4 gallons of antifreeze through the outdrive and when it's just about complete I spray the carbs to fog the motor and let the engine stall. Have never had a problem doing it this way as long as we've done it. This is 1994 Four Winns 220 Horizon. Very easy to do and saves a ton of money at any local establishment. __________________

10-16-2011, 08:26 PM	#4
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,937 Thanks: 532 Thanked 568 Times in 334 Posts	I just pay to have my boat winterized. The last one I did "manually" was a twin-screw inboard setup, and used a procedure similar to what you describe. It really wasn't feasible to use a bucket of antifreeze method. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

10-17-2011, 12:34 AM	#5
jst_4_kiks Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 126 Thanks: 22 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Pming much needed information for you __________________ Marine Technician - Learning Something New Every Day PM with any questions about marine repair

The Following User Says Thank You to Shreddy For This Useful Post:
Blue Thunder (10-16-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to jst_4_kiks For This Useful Post:
Blue Thunder (10-17-2011)

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