Can I Winterize My Boat Myself?

How do you winterize a boat?

How to Winterize a BoatStart by prepping your engine; ensure all water has been drained and removed.Apply corrosion protection to your engine.Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions, and complete fogging, if needed.Add a fuel-stabilizing additive to your fuel system; then run the engine.More items….

Is shrink wrapping a boat worth it?

Sure, if you go ice fishing, you won’t want the wrap to get in the way. New and used boats ultimately have different standards. If your boat’s older, it might not be worth the expense of shrink wrapping. But for new boat prices, a professional wrap can keep your ship in top shape.

Is winterizing a boat necessary?

Boats kept ashore must be winterized, and it must be done earlier than if they were in the water because dropping temperatures will affect them sooner. Wherever you end up keeping your boat, if you do not plan to use it for a month or more, you need to winterize it.

How much does winterizing a boat cost?

The Cost of Paying to Have Your Boat Winterized As noted above, the average cost of having a professional winterize your boat for you is about $300.

Will a boat run with a cracked block?

Some engines will run fine with a crack in the block so you can’t always go by that. Water in the bilge is a good possibilty. A close look at the block under where the heads meet for water seeping. … If your oil looks good,its running fine and no water in the bilge i would think you are ok..

Will my outboard motor freeze?

A very popular question asked by a concerned boat owner, (mainly outboard motorboats) is Will A Boat Motor Freeze? The simple answer is yes. If the temperature is low enough, it can freeze. Water, oil and other engine related lubrication coupled with freezing temperatures is the main culprit for freezing a boat motor.

Do I need to winterize my boat if I keep it in the garage?

If you keep the engine above freezing you don’t have to winterize. Gas heaters are available that DO NOT require electricity to operate and they have a built in thermostat. I had one in the garage at my last house and it worked great, kept the temp about 40 F in the garage.

What happens if you don’t winterize your 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. … Mold and mildew take root, and you may come back to a boat in the spring that you can not use because of multiple system failures.

What temperature do I need to winterize my boat?


Can you leave a boat outside in the winter?

Outdoor boat storage is certainly possible for your boat during winter. If you decide to do this, it is especially important to pull your boat completely out of the water because ice and very cold water can do great damage to your boat.

Is it too late to winterize my boat?

Gus: Don’t delay winterizing your boat. Sustained periods of freezing temperatures can occur at any time between now and mid-March. Hot Spots of the Week: Spring-like temperatures over the holidays have activated both the fish and the fishermen. Some say fishing is the best it’s been in years.

How cold does it have to get to freeze a boat engine?

32 degrees32 degrees is the freezing point of water. Water expands as it freezes and that is what can cause damage to an engine block.

How long does winterizing a boat last?

one yearHow long does boat winterization last? Ideally, one year. But many a boater have pushed it to two years or more. Keep in mind when winterizing your boat for more than a year, you will need to take special care to check rubber parts and components for dry rot like hoses, impellers, engine primer bulbs and belts.

Should I cover my outboard motor for winter?

During the course of the winter there will be cold days and warmer days, the sun may shine on your motor, and the air under the cowl will need to breath. Bonus tip: Before laying up the motor spray down the powerhead with a water-displacer like WD-40. Then secure the cowl but don’t cover it.

What is the going rate for boat storage?

For vessels stored in the water there is the requirement for an annual haul out, pressure blast and hull antifoul. The average time out for this is 3-5 days and total costs are around the $1500 mark, depending on your vessel size and work carried out.