If you’re among the 87 million Americans who enjoy recreational boating, you know that winterizing your boat is a must-do. Especially when it comes to the outboard motor, proper winter care can save you from costly repairs and ensure you’re ready for the next boating season.
To effectively winterize your boat’s outboard motor, begin by consulting your engine service manual for manufacturer-specific guidelines. Next, warm up the engine to change the oil and oil filter, which helps prevent internal corrosion. Flush the engine using a flush-muff device or garden hose fitting to remove any salt and contaminants.
Fill your gas tank to about 95% and add a fuel stabilizer to ward off oxidation and deposits. Fog the engine with a specialized lubricant by injecting fogging oil into the carburetors or air intakes while the engine is running, until it stalls.
Finally, store the engine in a trimmed-down position to drain all water from the cooling system, offering an added layer of freeze and corrosion protection. Following these comprehensive steps will safeguard your outboard motor from winter damage, ensuring its longevity and optimal performance.
Ready to protect your outboard motor from winter’s harsh elements? Keep reading to discover the essential steps that will save you time, money, and ensure your boat is seaworthy for seasons to come.
Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing an Outboard Motor
1. Change Engine Oil and Oil Filter
One of the most critical steps in winterizing your outboard motor is changing the engine oil and oil filter. This process is essential for preventing residual moisture and contaminants from causing internal corrosion during winter storage.
Start by running your engine for a few minutes. This action lowers the oil’s viscosity, making it easier to drain and allowing it to collect any impurities. After shutting off the engine, drain the old oil and replace the oil filter.
Once you’ve installed a new filter, run the engine briefly to circulate the fresh oil through the internal parts. This step is crucial for long-term engine health and should not be skipped. For more tips on this, consider taking a Safe Boating Course that covers engine maintenance.
2. Flush the Engine
One of the most critical steps in winterizing your outboard motor is changing the engine oil and oil filter. This process is essential for preventing residual moisture and contaminants from causing internal corrosion during winter storage.
Start by running your engine for a few minutes. This action lowers the oil’s viscosity, making it easier to drain and allowing it to collect any impurities. After shutting off the engine, drain the old oil and replace the oil filter.
Once you’ve installed a new filter, run the engine briefly to circulate the fresh oil through the internal parts. This step is crucial for long-term engine health and should not be skipped. For more tips on this, consider taking a Safe Boating Course that covers engine maintenance.
3. Fill Gas Tank and Use Fuel Stabilizer
Before tucking your boat away for the winter, ensure the gas tank is approximately 95% full. Incorporating a fuel stabilizer is a must to prevent gasoline from oxidizing and leaving behind harmful deposits.
Always adhere to the instructions on the fuel stabilizer bottle and add the recommended amount to your gas tank. This action ensures that your fuel remains fresh and ready for use when you de-winterize your boat.
It’s a small but significant step in your winterization checklist that pays off in the long run. For those interested in the science behind fuel stabilization, boating blogs often delve into the chemistry of fuel and its long-term storage.
4. Fog the Engine with Lubricant
After you’ve treated the fuel, the next agenda item is fogging the engine with a specialized storage lubricant. This lubricant serves to protect the internal bearings, seals, and rotating surfaces from corrosion. Start by running the engine for a few minutes to warm it up.
Then, inject fogging oil through the carburetors or electronic fuel injection system air intakes. Continue this process until the engine stalls, ensuring that a thin film of lubricant coats all internal parts.
This step is a cornerstone in your winterization process, safeguarding the engine’s internal components during its winter hibernation. For a deeper dive into the types of lubricants and their applications, West Marine Products offers an extensive range of options and guides.
5. Store Engine in Trimmed Down Position
The final step in your winterization journey involves storing your outboard engine in the trimmed down (running) position. This specific position is engineered to drain all the water from the cooling system, offering an added layer of protection against freezing and corrosion.
After ensuring the engine is in this position, consider covering it with a vented canvas cowling storage cover. This extra layer shields your engine from dust, debris, and the elements, keeping it in optimal condition throughout the winter months.
Boating blogs often emphasize the importance of this step, as it’s a simple yet effective way to prolong the life of your outboard motor. For those who are new to boating or need a refresher, Learn to Fish & Boat provides valuable information on boat storage and maintenance.
Consult Your Engine Service Manual
Winterizing your boat is an investment in its longevity and performance. You have two primary routes: the DIY approach or hiring a professional service. Opting for DIY will cost you around $250 to $300, which includes the cost of engine oil, fuel stabilizer, and other essential materials.
If you’re not comfortable taking on the task yourself, professional boat services start at $500 and can escalate based on your outboard engine’s size and type. For more insights into the costs involved, you can check out various boating blogs that delve into the financial aspects of boat maintenance.
Cost of Winterizing an Outboard Motor
Winterizing your boat is an investment in its longevity and performance. You have two primary routes: the DIY approach or hiring a professional service. Opting for DIY will cost you around $250 to $300, which includes the cost of engine oil, fuel stabilizer, and other essential materials.
If you’re not comfortable taking on the task yourself, professional boat services start at $500 and can escalate based on your outboard engine’s size and type. For more insights into the costs involved, you can check out various boating blogs that delve into the financial aspects of boat maintenance.
Safeguarding Your Outboard Motor
In wrapping up, winterizing your outboard motor is a multi-step process that’s crucial for its long-term health. Start by referring to your engine service manual, then proceed to change the oil and filter. Don’t forget to flush the engine to remove any lingering contaminants.
Add a fuel stabilizer to a nearly full gas tank and fog the engine with a special lubricant.
Lastly, store the engine in a trimmed-down position to drain water and prevent freezing. By diligently following these steps, you’re not just preparing for winter—you’re investing in many more seasons of smooth sailing.
My name is Ruben. I love fishing like most guys I know. Fishing is so much more than just an outdoor activity- its an escape, its therapy and so much more. I put together a team of other professional anglers in order to create the most inclusive fishing resource.