Winterize - me vs they

[onpoint!]

With my small boat/30hp tiller, I'd change lower unit oil and put Stabil in the gas tank, add a battery tender and cover it for the winter inside the shop. Not sure with my newer, larger boat... Think I'll take it in for ~100 hr service and have them do the winter thing, too. From Garrison to Minot, any recommendations? Thinking I'd call 6-mi, North Cntry and Jeff's Sports for an estimate.
So you put it to bed yourself, or have it winterized? What should I expect for $$? Guess I could move mama's car outside and put the Cresty in the warm garage...

 

[CatDaddy]

Guess I could move mama's car outside and put the Cresty in the warm garage...

Do you also plan on sleeping outside with the car?

 

[onpoint!]

Haha. The other stall already has the JD SCUT sitting in it for most of the winter - gotta have the blower/blade ready for snow in the mornings, right? But I suppose you're right, the boat in her spot might just put her over the edge.

 

[Trip McNeely]

only sensible solution i can see is a shop in your future. sell it to the wife as a cold storage/area for her knick knack storage as well..... then let it transpire into a heated cave of mancaves witg cable a restroom and wetbar..... win-win

 

[CatDaddy]

only sensible solution i can see is a shop in your future. sell it to the wife as a cold storage/area for her knick knack storage as well..... then let it transpire into a heated cave of mancaves witg cable a restroom and wetbar..... win-win

I smell a plan....let us know how we can help. Cold beer and 24/7 access is all I require.

 

[5575]

I just run sea foam in the last tank and bring it home and change the lower unit oil and trim the motor down all the way.
Oh I also make sure the tank is full of good quality gas and add stabil, and make sure my batteries are fully charged than disconnect them. If its going to be in cold storage I will take the graphs out. Have never had an issue.

 

[shorthairsrus]

I just helped a bud on a black engine life's matter 4 stroke. We didn't full tank he never uses ethanol We conditioned tank changed oil filter and lower unit piece of cake. Probably need fuel filter changed in spring. I have an etec super easy to winterize. I do not top gas tank

 

[onpoint!]

That's what the 'lil Lund used to get, 5575. Do you run antifreeze into the live wells/recirc from the intake out back - never had to think about that before. Think I'll give it a go and save a couple hundred bucks.
I like the idea to pave, insulate/heat the shop and man-cave it, but that won't happen in my lifetime. Of course, we could work out a deal to trade out storage space for concrete...

 

[SDMF]

I fill the tank, add sea foam, and then quickly pull the lower unit drain plug. Assuming nothing's milky in there, I put the plug back in and call it good. New fluids in the spring just before going back into service. Motor is EFI, no fogging for me.

 

[johnr]

I top off the tank, change lower unit oil, run the live wells dry, pull the starting battery, and plug the trolling batteries in. 9 yrs and no issues yet.
I used to pull the starting batteries, but it was so much work getting them in and out. Leaving them in and plugging the charger in is easy peasy

 

[WormWiggler]

So fogging is no longer required, how am I going to get all them swear words into normal conversation, dammit obama

 

[Bfishn]

Since this topic came up, is there any point to fogging an older 2 stroke if it's kept in a heated garage? I have an older Lund tiller that I've always fogged, put sea foam in tank, disconnected fuel line and ran out of gas, changed lower unit oil. For the last three years Ive had my garage heated and still did all this as cheap insurance. I've wondered if there is any point to fogging it though.

 

[WormWiggler]

I have not changed lower unit oil in some time, I just check for water in it and call it good. It's the removing the air box to fog it that blows.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Top off tank with premium non-ethanol(all they get), add sea foam, take for a spin to get said sea foam into engine fuel system, trim motor down, disconnect batteries after they are topped off with the charger, check lower unit for chocolate milk, and call it good.

 

[shorthairsrus]

I top off the tank, change lower unit oil, run the live wells dry, pull the starting battery, and plug the trolling batteries in. 9 yrs and no issues yet.
I used to pull the starting batteries, but it was so much work getting them in and out. Leaving them in and plugging the charger in is easy peasy

No issues? I thought she blew

- - - Updated - - -

I have asked the q full tank or not in owners group and hull truth. Most say fuel is so shitty loses octane. Boost octane by adding fresh in spring. Conditioner takes care of moisture if any

 

[johnr]

No issues? I thought she blew

- - - Updated - - -

I have asked the q full tank or not in owners group and hull truth. Most say fuel is so shitty loses octane. Boost octane by adding fresh in spring. Conditioner takes care of moisture if any

Yes I blew it twice, but it wasn't related to the winter storage prep I give it.

Both times oil was not pumping into the engine, it's a 2 stroke, and somehow no oil makes the motor broken

 

[tikkalover]

I have a 1991 - 75hp Merc. Its in a non heated garage. I charge the batteries, and leave them hooked up, and in the boat, check the lower unit grease for water, gas tank has in it what is in it when I'm done using it, if I'm done using it, no fogging. Haven't done it in awhile, but one winter starting the middle of January until the end of March, I fished the race 28 times.