My First Boat Winterization

[AuthorizedUser]

Well... it took about two weeks with my crazy work and travel schedule, but the Benny has finally been winterized. For those who would like to reference what I did, see my list below. I understand that some of the steps were overkill, but that's OK; I wanted to do it. I may not go to this extreme in future years. The boat was taken to be shrink wrapped an hour ago and I will sleep well over the winter knowing that come springtime, I can hop in a go go go! I included some images for your reference; I took them for my own reference and to prove I did the work if a warranty issue ever cropped up.

Last day at the marina:

• Add fuel additive and fill tank before having boat pulled (always treated, non-ethanol gas)
• Fill two gallon gas can for fogging

At home:

• Pressure wash blocked areas of logs before marina lowers the boat onto blocks
• Pressure wash logs
• Wash cover and boots. Allow to dry. Spray with 303 Fabric Guard.
• Change oil
• Change lower unit lube
• Change fuel/water separator
• Disconnect hose port and flush engine
• Add fogging oil to the two gallon can of marina fuel and fog the engine
• Change primary fuel filter
• Replace spark plugs
• Grease fittings
• Spray under cowling lube points with silicone
• Pressure wash logs again
• Take off the prop, inspect, and regrease the spline
• Clean the logs with 50:50 vinegar and water
• Reapply two coats of Sharkhide protectant
• Clean and wax engine
• Remove all items from boat
• Clean boat
• Ensure engine is completely drained of any water
• Rubber band a small piece of tarp over prop for transport; ask marina to reseal when shrink wrapping
• After cleaning lines and fenders, replace on the boat for spring launch
• Lower white light pole
• Hang DampRid packet on steering wheel
• Tilt engine slightly up for transport and storage
• Lower bimini frames to trailering position.
• Remove battery and charge in spring (bring back to marina before boat goes in)

Hope this is helpful to some of you! Dave

 

[Potomacbassin’]

Excellent write-up and pictures AU! I think everyone should perform their own maintenance at some point - if for no other reason than knowing your engine and being able to get home should a problem occur out on the water. Some folks couldn't even get their cowling off much less check their oil or the fuel/water separator.

Consider an oil analysis if you still have the old oil. Could indicate rare issues that can be flagged with Yamaha and help with warranty issues down the road.

 

[lakeliving]

I always sprayed the fogging oil right into the intake per the manual on my f200.

risky setting the used oil on the floor for that pic!!!!
Good job though. It’s nice when spring comes around and you are ready to go

 

[BigKahuna]

Good thorough job! Reminds me of ME when I was younger and wanted to do everything on our I/O. Now it's like...... Call me when you're done! Actually I had to learn to do everything last year, our 1st year with an outboard. Couple suggestion AU....... After you clean your dock lines/fenders don't store them on the boat. Critters got into my first boat and chewed up the dock lines and anchor lines and made nests. Also I used to put several containers of Damp rid around the boat boat to catch any residual moisture. They only last up to 60 days. I used to change them out about half way through winter.....

 

[AuthorizedUser]

Good thorough job! Reminds me of ME when I was younger and wanted to do everything on our I/O. Now it's like...... Call me when you're done! Actually I had to learn to do everything last year, our 1st year with an outboard. CoAfter you clean your dock lines/fenders don't store them on the boat. Critters got into my first boat and chewed up the dock lines and anchor lines and made nests. Also I used to put several containers of Damp rid around the boat boat to catch any residual moisture. They only last up to 60 days. I used to change them out about half way through winter.....

 

[AuthorizedUser]

Good thorough job! Reminds me of ME when I was younger and wanted to do everything on our I/O. Now it's like...... Call me when you're done! Actually I had to learn to do everything last year, our 1st year with an outboard. Couple suggestion AU....... After you clean your dock lines/fenders don't store them on the boat. Critters got into my first boat and chewed up the dock lines and anchor lines and made nests. Also I used to put several containers of Damp rid around the boat boat to catch any residual moisture. They only last up to 60 days. I used to change them out about half way through winter.....

Our marina‘s winterization service only does a fraction of what I wanted done. Would have cost me well over $1,000 if I asked them to do all this work. With me doing it, it cost about $150 and I now know a TON about the boat/outboard. But I’m with you... at my stage of life, I’d much rather pay someone to do things like this than mess with it myself! I wish I could keep the boat at my house in a barn or something so I can maintain it all winter. No space, no trailer, and no tow vehicle. Plus, winter storage is included in my annual fee (shrink wrap is not). I envy those of you who have you Bennys in heated, well-lit spaces!

 

[BigKahuna]

We have plenty of space, a trailer and a tow vehicle and we still can't keep it in our driveway/neighborhood. RV's and boats are not allowed. We had undercover/roof storage in Virginia. $60 a month. Couldn't beat that! Never had to shrinkwrap it. Last year we kept it in a nice gated paved storage facility near our house. $100 a month. It had electric so I just ran an extension cord to the onboard battery charger and it maintained the batteries until spring.

 

[lakeliving]

Here is mine in its heated well lit storage area

 

[BigKahuna]

Here is mine in its heated well lit storage area

Stop you're Killin me! Ha! Are all the repairs completed?!?

 

[PartyBarge]

OK Skipper, that is impressive for a nearly new boat! Thanks for all the effort that went into the report. How many runtime hours did you get?

Your lower unit oil looks great compared to the sludge on the drain plug...am I seeing that correctly? Would have liked a pic that shows the center electrode of the plugs.

Especially since you are running non-ethanol fuel, did you find any water in either filter?

As you likely know, sometime in the future a new water pump impeller is a good idea. Also, don't even think about touching the starter with a dry impeller, much less test firing the motor.

 

[AuthorizedUser]

Here is mine in its heated well lit storage area

You suck and I hate you forever.

 

[Vikingstaff]

You suck and I hate you forever.

You know those Floridians. Always showing off at us northerners this time of year.

 

[AuthorizedUser]

OK Skipper, that is impressive for a nearly new boat! Thanks for all the effort that went into the report. How many runtime hours did you get?

Your lower unit oil looks great compared to the sludge on the drain plug...am I seeing that correctly? Would have liked a pic that shows the center electrode of the plugs.

Especially since you are running non-ethanol fuel, did you find any water in either filter?

As you likely know, sometime in the future a new water pump impeller is a good idea. Also, don't even think about touching the starter with a dry impeller, much less test firing the motor.

I think I was close to 90 hours on the SHO. Yes, the lube was pristine and the metal shavings sludge on the plug was very minor. Spark plug electrodes were black like the threads, but no carbon buildup. I could have cleaned them or left them alone, but replaced them because, why not? Zero water in the fuel; in fact, it was so perfect, I dumped the fuel from the old separator into the new one after a close inspection in my wife’s glass vase.

 

[AuthorizedUser]

You know those Floridians. Always showing off at us northerners this time of year.

I lived in Southwest Florida for 10 years, but not in my boating years. It was a love/hate relationship. Beautiful winter weather, but crazy crowded with tourists and snowbirds. Hot as hell in the summer and those pesky hurricanes.

 

[Vikingstaff]

I lived in Southwest Florida for 10 years, but not in my boating years. It was a love/hate relationship. Beautiful winter weather, but crazy crowded with tourists and snowbirds. Hot as hell in the summer and those pesky hurricanes.

I am not a fan of the state - really much of the southeast. Heat and humidity is not my “health” friend. LOL. But I understand the regions appeal to others, and if not for a couple health issues aggravated by extreme heat and humidity, I’m sure I‘d like it.