My winterization checklist

topnote

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Dec 21, 2012
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Heres a checklist given to me by a salty pro. I use it religiously. My boat is a 34' Dancer with 454 Crusaders, AC, Generator and icemaker. Offered for your review...

Winterization Process

Water system needs to be drained completely and holding tank as well. It is impossible to get every bit of water out due to curves and dips in the plastic plumbing, so I recommend running a few gallons of non-toxic anti-freeze thru both systems to prevent freezing damage. Run pump until you see the non-toxic anti-freeze come out of the faucets and then close the faucets. Leave refrigerator/ice maker door open. Leave a couple of inches of anti-freeze in toilet to keep seal wet.

Make sure that all three engines anti-freeze tests below zero, and add straight anti-freeze to the heat exchangers until it does.
Engine fuel tanks need to be full.
Add a stabilizer to each tank.
Shut off fuel valves and time how long the engine runs before stopping. Note: Usually 2 to 3 minutes at idle.
Change the oil and filter
Turn fuel valves back on and restart the engine.
One minute before the engine is going to stop, spray engine fogging oil into the running engine carburetor until it stops.
Spray the carburetor as well after the engine has stopped to protect it as well.
Note: the engine, if hot enough, may run rough on the fogger alone after it runs out of fuel. Stop fogging and the engine will stop.
This coats the internal parts of the engine with light oil to protect everything down to the combustion cylinder.
Drain or remove the sea water pumps. Remove and inspect the impellors. If they are in good condition (veins are straight, not bent, not cracked ) and removed from the pump over the winter, they can be re-used.
Loosen all drive belts.
Remove batteries from the boat and trickle charge until fully charged once a month. (If your car battery dies you have one ready to go)
Drain the heat exchanger, manifolds, and oil cooler of sea water. There are two plugs. One for anti-freeze and one for sea water. If you see green anti-freeze it’s the other plug. Note: Refer to the manual if you have one. If not you might be able to get it on line.
Note it’s a great idea to paint the sea water drain plugs with a bright yellow or white paint to identify them in the future.
Drain the exhaust manifolds of sea water.
Grease the shift and throttle cables with water proof 2-4-C grease. There is also a grease fitting on the steering cable at the stern. You can buy a grease gun at any boating store that will fit the squeeze tubes of 2-4-C grease.

Generator is the same procedure as the engines, but there are probably no water jackets or plugs in the exhaust manifold. Refer to the manual if you have one. If not you might be able to get it on line. An easy way to winterize a small engine like the generator is the anti-freeze option. You can remove the hose at the seacock, and put it in a bucket of anti-freeze. Run the generator until you see green coming out the exhaust, then shut down and it is protected without removing anything. Just loosen the drive belt.
 

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