De-Winterization

[asherah]

Alright, I am going to sound like the novice of all novices, but here it goes. I am a first time boat owner, and I paid a mechanic to winterize my boat back in October. As I looked at the receipt, all they used was anti-freeze and sta-bil. I was not sure if that all I had to do, but I guess I figured that out after I forked over $200. Anyways, I was wondering what is needed to be done during springization. Basically the only fluid that I know where it is located is the oil, I changed that right after I purchased it in August. I want to change all the fluids, so I need to know where all the drain plugs, and fill plugs are located. I am very handy and have built my own car. I have a '89 Maxum 2000SR Bowrider, with a 5.0L Mercruiser engine, with a Bravo One out drive. Please let me know, its starting to warm up, and I am getting antzie(Ha Ha)

Aron

 

[Bob J]

Aron, drain plugs shouldn't enter the picture during commissioning; so disregard them for now. In 30 years of boating, I have "NEVER" touched a drain plug but that's another story. Re oil change...That should have been done during winterization process. If not, do it once you are back in the water...plus filter. As far as tranny fluid & anti-freeze; that's a personal thing. I have no comment re those two items...can't hurt; that's for sure. Know little or nothing about outdrives.

 

[GaryP]

That's a complicated answer. Is it a Merc or Volvo, what size engine. $200 for winterization is not bad to make sure you don't crack the block. I think the mechanic will probably tell you what to do in the spring if you ask...once you learn what to do it's simple.

 

[Capt. Art]

Make sure the drain plug in the stern near the bottom of the boat is in tight. It is usually removed as it allows water in the boat to drain out.

 

[jimini]

Capt Art~
I'm not trying to be smart ('cause I'm not) but does a 57ft Carver have a drain plug(s) in the transom? I'm serious! Just curious....lol

 

[Adjuster]

I think a 57' Carver uses a rubber stopper. LOL

 

[ddurand]

Since there is no mention of gear oil on your receipt, I assume that was not done. It needs to be done in the spring. Its better to do it in the fall so you can see if there was water in it before winter, and if so plan the proper action. So now you need new gaskets for the drain plug screws, 2 QTs of Merc. Premium gear lube (its snot green) and a pump to fit the QTs of gear lube. I assume 2 QTs is enough, thats what an Alpha takes, but maybe a Bravo takes more. The drain screws are on your outdrive one near the bottom and one half way up. Pull both, drain out the old and pump fresh gear oil from the bottom up until you see fresh gear oil come out of the upper hole. Use new gaskets on the drain plug screws. If you found water in the old gear oil, then drain everything and get your mechanic involved.

Was the engine fogged with fogging oil, if so you should change the plugs after firing up the engine.

Is there a raw water impeller? If so that should be changed every other year.

The drive needs to be removed every other year to grease the u-joints, so if you do not know when that was done, do it in the spring.

 

[Flat Water]

Remember to look for cracks in your I/O bellows in the spring, especially in the folds, for cracking. And remember to give your trailer some love in the spring, too.

 

[mandm1200]

I fogged my engine every winter since new; boat is a 1992. I get very few hours on since I boat on a river. I have yet to change spark plugs. I would change the outdrive gear lube for two reasons; 1 you don't know when the last it was changed, 2 it will give an honest clue if any water got in there. I have done my own winterizing except for the first year. Marinas/dealers make damm good money doing it. I have a Merc 7.4,. All I have to do is remove 2 brass drain plugs out of the block and 1 brass drain plug out of the oil cooler. Put the plugs back in and refill with about 5 gallons of antifreeze. This is done after fogging. In the spring, back the trailer into the water and turn the key and look for anything leaking. I had not changed the impeller until last year. Had no choice since it failed, it might be worthwile changing every so often to avoid a tow job. I really think the issue you have may be not knowing what and when anything was done in the past. Keep in mind that engines and drives are expensive to replace.