

Your boat should be examined and cleaned at least once a year. This is a critical step in order to winterize a sterndrive boat, an outboard boat, or an inboard boat-any vehicle and system that have pipes carrying water.ĭo I need to clean my boat before winterization? Yes, you will leave antifreeze in the boat engine during winterization to prevent water frosts and clogs. You can expect similar costs when winterizing inboard outboard vessels since the procedure is relatively similar. Remember that a misplaced cap or loose joint can cost you dearly when you de-winterize the boat. Winterization requires technical knowledge that might not be familiar to every boat owner. If you are not confident with your skills, we recommend calling a boat service. Large vessels with more than one engine might cost a lot more. The fee for servicing your boat starts at around $500.

#Winterizing an inboard boat motor professional#
When you hire a professional for the job, you will pay double the initial material cost for the mechanic’s labor and experience. The cost of the tools and materials is around $250, but you can use the remaining products and have additional antifreeze handy for many more years. Protect your inboard vessel with a winter boat cover, such as a marine shrink wrap.Dismantle the batteries, charge them, and store them separately.Remove control cables and lubricate them to prevent them from getting stuck the following spring.Inspect the oil compartments and fuel lines for leaks.Fresh oil and filter will minimize clogs and accumulations in the upcoming storage months. With I/Os that use a thru-hull, the outdrive will be protected once the engine has had antifreeze run through it because the antifreeze also runs through the outdrive. So, it’d be ideal to carry out this step in your winterizing checklist. Some inboard/outboard (I/O) engines take in cooling water from a thru-hull in the engine compartment, and some take it in through the outdrive. Change the engine oil and oil filterĮngine oil and fuel filters should be changed after 100 hours of use or every year. Then, turn off the motor and remove the flushing muffs. Then turn on the water, start the motor and allow it to run a few minutes to warm up the oil. Finally, remove the water intake hose from the bucket and reconnect it to the intake seacock. Before beginning the oil change process, attach a set of flushing muffs to a garden hose and place them squarely over both sides of the water intake for your motor.If you winterize inboard boat motor Mercruiser, you will find the carburetor underneath the flame arrestor. When the antifreeze bucket is almost empty, turn off the engine and spray fogging oil into the carburetor.Start the vessel to circulate the antifreeze through the entire engine.The engine on all boats is cooled by lake or ocean water. Usually, it’ll take at least two gallons. Remove the water from the engine The most important reason for winterizing an inboard jet boat is to remove the water from the engine. The amount of substance you need depends on the type of antifreeze and engine you should read the product instructions for the information. Fill the container with undiluted non-toxic antifreeze.Then, detach the raw water intake hose and place it in a five-gallon bucket.Firstly, you should turn off the engine.
#Winterizing an inboard boat motor manual#
We advise you to make sure you are following the proper guidelines on disposing of these items.Īgain, we recommend that you refer to your boat owner's manual or seek the advice of a professional depending on your boat's specific motor. Don't forget to dispose of oil and batteries. This is also an excellent time to change batteries and check hoses and belts for any damage during this process, namely leaks. Spray engine with anti-corrosion spray and spray electrical connections with water repellent Contents show Here’s The Answer To What Problems Can Occur With Inboard/Outboard Motors: While problems with inboard/outboard motors are rare, there are certain preventative measures that you can take to help avoid issues.Flush the engine's cooling system and add antifreeze.Fog the carburetor and engine cylinders which prevent corrosion.However, it’s the water that poses the biggest threat to your boat’s structural integrity and condition during the winter season. Many boat owners choose to leave their boats in the water during the winter. Add fuel stabilizer to the gasoline (run the engine for 10-20 minutes to distribute) Cover the boat or send it to winter storage for the season.We've listed some general steps that you'll need to follow to get your motor ready for winter storage. Whether it is an outboard, inboard, or stern drive motor, your boat engine needs to be drained and flushed with antifreeze as part of the winterizing process.
