Do you have to winterize a ski boat?

If you’ve got an inboard or a sterndrive (inboard/outboard) boat motor, then winterizing is an absolute must-do. This process prevents gunk from building up, keeps condensation out of the fuel tank and just overall keeps your engine healthy.

How do you winterize an inboard boat?

How to Winterize Inboard Boats

  1. Warm the Engine. Before you begin the winterization process, the boat needs to be able to run in the water.
  2. Fill the Tank. Water and engines don’t mix!
  3. Add Antifreeze.
  4. Spray the Engine with Fogging Oil.
  5. Change the Oil.
  6. Clean & Spot Check.

How do you winterize a boat?

How To Winterize Your Boat

  1. Step 1: Replace engine oil.
  2. Step 2: Flush and drain cooling water.
  3. Step 3: Stabilize fuel.
  4. Step 4: Protect internal engine components.
  5. Step 5: Replace gear oil.
  6. Step 6: Grease and lubricate.
  7. Step 7: Remove valuables.
  8. Step 8: Clean and wax.

How do you de winterize a ski boat?

How to De-winterize Your Boat

  1. Take the Tarp Off. Before you do anything, you need to get the tarp or covering off your boat.
  2. Check the Engine.
  3. Refill the Cooling System.
  4. Check Water Pumps and Thermostats.
  5. Check Cables and Hoses.
  6. Check Your Battery.
  7. Clean the Distributor.
  8. Check the Fuel System.

What happens if you dont winterize boat?

If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines. Fuels break down or grow dirty.

Is it bad to not winterize a boat?

Winterizing a boat is an essential process unless you plan to make necessary repairs to your boat come springtime. If you do not winterize your boat, any water droplets left could freeze, expand, and crack the components they were in. This could cause anything from blowing off a hose to completely ruining your engine.

What happens if you don’t winterize your inboard boat?

If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines.

How much does it cost to de winterize a boat?

You can expect to pay about $150 to have an independent boat mechanic winterize your boat for you. That’s not far of the cost of DIY winterization, which may make hiring a boat mechanic more attractive than doing it yourself. However, most mechanics will also charge you a travel fee.

What happens if you start a winterized boat?

What are the steps to winterize a boat?

6 Basic Steps to Winterizing Your Boat, Trailer & Motor 1. Starting the Process of Winterizing Your Boat, Trailer & Motor 2. Winterizing the Outboard Boat Motor 3. Clean the Boat Bilges and Livewells 4. Inspect Your Boat’s Hull 5. Prep Your Boat Trailer for Winter 6. Cover Your Boat Latest from Justin Hoffman

Why do you need to winterize Your Boat?

Why do you winterize a boat? Winterizing your boat is the process of removing any liquid inside the engine that could freeze and damage the engine. When water freezes it expands, and this expansion can cause cracks in your engine block which will incur hefty fees to repair!

Why should I winterize my Boat?

Winterization procedures protect boat systems and gear from freeze damage. Winterizing also guards items such as batteries, inboard and outboard engines, and lower units and sterndrives from damage and wear that lying idle can cause.

What does it cost to winterize an inboard boat?

From our research, as long as your boat was less than 40-feet, the costs tend to be in the $400 to $700 range for a basic winterization and often did not include any additional storage or shrink wrapping.

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