First time winterizing!! Help!

[NickMcD63]

I just got my first boat (2004 Stratos 295 pro xl w/ 200 hp efi) this past spring and I am starting my first winterizing process. So far I have changed the lower unit oil and plan on fogging the engine, polishing the hull, taking out batteries, and storing covered in a garage.

What else should I do? Do you all add anti-freeze to your livewells?

Any suggestions would be awesome! Thanks in advance,

Nick

[TruthWalleyes]

Now your boat's ready for winter fishing!! You're not far from the Mississippi buddy, WAAAYYY better fishing then through an 8" hole.

If you do store...Do some mice protection as well. Like dryer sheets throughout the boat. Remove all water (If you know there is some left in your bilge, then i can't see how antifreeze could hurt). Fog motor, change lower unit oil. Charge batts, or store inside...Your good to go!

[bobbymalone]

antifreeze in the livewell? what? is that a joke?

[marine_man]

Did you check the Sticky?

Winterizing

You would want to use RV Antifreeze if you're going to use anything.

marine_man

[NickMcD63]

antifreeze in the livewell? what? is that a joke?

Yeah, it would be the Pink colored marine antifreeze.

No...why would it be? It keeps the remaining water in the drainage tubes from freezing up..

[bobbymalone]

i guess i never thought of that. My livewell seems to drain well enough that there isn't a worry about cracking hoses.

I was picturing filling up the livewell itself with antifreeze.

[delcecchi]

i guess i never thought of that. My livewell seems to drain well enough that there isn't a worry about cracking hoses.

I was picturing filling up the livewell itself with antifreeze.

They are supposed to drain themselves, but a little pink stuff in them can ease one's mind.

[kerryd15]

Instead of antifreeze, use an aircompressor and blow the ports out. I do this whenever its going to freeze and I have had the boat in the water. Just put the blow nozzle in the fill and drain port, seal with a paper towel and give a quick burst of air. I was suprised that after driving 30 miles and pulling the drain on the angled ramp that I blew water out of it the first time. Only takes a couple seconds. My live well does not have recirculation on it. The hoses are just inlet and outlet.

[NickMcD63]

Instead of antifreeze, use an aircompressor and blow the ports out. I do this whenever its going to freeze and I have had the boat in the water. Just put the blow nozzle in the fill and drain port, seal with a paper towel and give a quick burst of air. I was suprised that after driving 30 miles and pulling the drain on the angled ramp that I blew water out of it the first time. Only takes a couple seconds. My live well does not have recirculation on it. The hoses are just inlet and outlet.

I was thinking about doing this....Probably the better/easier/cheaper way to go.

Also, I did already do my lower unit oil...Would it be alright to get the boat a few more times?

[solbes]

Also, I did already do my lower unit oil...Would it be alright to get the boat a few more times?

Depends on whether you have any leaky seals or not. If there was no water in the used oil you drained out, you're probably okay. But if you do get some water in there, you run the risk of a cracked lower unit if it freezes. I change mine and store it.

[delcecchi]

I have a buddy who fishes at redwing and uses his motor all winter. If the seals are ok, no cracking will occur.

[amateurfishing]

for vermin control i use moth balls....buy a box or 2 and distribute in old yogurt/sour cream/plastic container that ive drilled a few holes in the side. keep lids and put them on so they dont get out roll all over place, then just air out well in spring

[NickMcD63]

Perfect! You guys have been very helpful. I did hear on a few forums that I should not fog my EFI motor..Is this factual?

[NickMcD63]

Now your boat's ready for winter fishing!! You're not far from the Mississippi buddy, WAAAYYY better fishing then through an 8" hole.

No argument here! I am planning on getting her back up and running late winter to do some river fishing.

[BoxMN]

Change the oil (if 4 stroke), change the lower unit lube, add some seafoam or stabil to non-oxy gas, and you are always ready to go, and the engine is fine. Add a bit of RV antifreeze in the livewell, done. DON'T fog efi, I don't fog my 2 strokes, and one is 30 yo, one is 15 yo (150efi), and my new 4 stroke is NOT getting fog ever. My two cents. Good luck!

[Lund79]

Can't comment on the efi to fog or not but 4 stroke I was told never to fog.

[delcecchi]

What does the Fine Manual for your motor say?

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Wow, I fogged every cylinder, every year on my 140hp 4-stroke EFI Suzuki for the past 10 years with zero issues (and I'm super anal & picky). The engine just sings!

What on earth is wrong with fogging then?? Please be specific with data & examples.

[Craigums]

Wow, I fogged every cylinder, every year on my 140hp 4-stroke EFI Suzuki for the past 10 years with zero issues (and I'm super anal & picky). The engine just sings!

What on earth is wrong with fogging then?? Please be specific with data & examples.

I had never heard that before either... Infact my boat (150 EFI) is in the shop right now getting fogged and winterized. Same shop that has been doing it the last 3 years.

[BoxMN]

Wow, I fogged every cylinder, every year on my 140hp 4-stroke EFI Suzuki for the past 10 years with zero issues (and I'm super anal & picky). The engine just sings!

What on earth is wrong with fogging then?? Please be specific with data & examples.

I take it back, I should not tell anyone what to do or not to do, I apologize. But read your manual, mine on the new 4 stroke says nothing about fogging. From experience with 2 strokes, fogging made them (25hp and 90hp) harder to start and smoky like a fire in the spring. Like I said, 30 years on one (50 hp) and 17 on 150efi (merc 2 stroke) and never fogged, and never will. The 60 Bigfoot manual says nothing about recommending fogging.

Good luck, I should keep my mouth shut

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

No problem, we're all good.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Dont forget to repack your bearings on the trailer.

Top the tank with gas and stabilizer make sure it gets ran through the engine if you dont already stabilize year round.

[Hoffer]

I find it interesting that you guys talk about repacking wheel bearings yourself like its as simple as changing your own lower unit oil.

I have even watched the videos on how to do this - yet it seems completely foreign and daunting to me.

I would love to do it on my own...yet will have my "guy" do it this Spring - and pay around 150.00 to 200.00 to have then do it.

I havent done mine for the last 3 years and make 2 trips to Canada and back each Summer...so they are getting done this Spring. I just wish I knew how to do it myself.

[delcecchi]

From the times I have done it, it isn't hard. But it is really messy, especially if you pack the bearings with grease by hand, instead of using a tool and a grease gun.

I don't know what the current thinking about whether to clean out the old grease with solvent before re packing is.

[aanderud]

I would love to do it on my own...yet will have my "guy" do it this Spring - and pay around 150.00 to 200.00 to have then do it.

I havent done mine for the last 3 years and make 2 trips to Canada and back each Summer...so they are getting done this Spring. I just wish I knew how to do it myself.