Winterizing my boat

[Scott Ski]

I am a new Tige owner as of this last summer. What is the best way to winterize my boat? I have a 2002 Type R21i. What do you use for fuel maintenance? What is recommended to maintain my battery charge? Thanks.

[Nobody]

I am a new Tige owner as of this this last summer. What is the best way to winterize my boat? I have a 2002 Type R21i. What do you use for fuel? What is recommended to maintain my batteries? Thanks.

Move it to Florida, leave it in my back yard, come down every know and then over the next 6 months and use it.

[skippabcool]

I am a new Tige owner as of this last summer. What is the best way to winterize my boat? I have a 2002 Type R21i. What do you use for fuel maintenance? What is recommended to maintain my battery charge? Thanks.

Where are you located and what engine do you have? I am guessing the Merc 350. Here is info on the Marine Power http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11507

For fuel add some Marine Stabil and run it through the engine.

I take my batteries out put in my basement and and check them twice over the winter. Some will put them on a maintainer the entire winter.

If you do have the Merc I have some information that another TO member sent me that I could send to you but I will need you to PM me your email address.

[sotexwake]

I am a new Tige owner as of this last summer. What is the best way to winterize my boat? I have a 2002 Type R21i. What do you use for fuel maintenance? What is recommended to maintain my battery charge? Thanks.

if you have the Merc. 350:

-add fuel stablizer, and run boat on flush, this will stabilize the entire fuel system...(tank, fuel rail, lines, etc)
-pull all the blue freeze/drain plugs out to drain the engine (reinstall plugs after)
-remove block plugs from both sides (allow to drain, then reinstall)
-disconnect transmission cooler hose (make sure nothing is clogging it while hose is off)and be sure to reconnect
-pull each spark plug 1 BY 1, and fog the cylinders w/ storage oil
-i'd personally remove batteries and charge every so often thru winter

Spring time, hook up your batteries and fire her up!

Goodluck!

[boardman74]

I do all of the above, but I leave everything disconnected just in case something is slow. I also pull the lines off on which ever side is lowest. Probably over kill, but have never had an issue. Takes all of 15 minutes.

You can also drain then fill with RV antifreeze.

[mls6722]

I agree with all the above, in addition, I always do an oil change before winterizing.

[boardman74]

Oil change is a great idea in the fall. Oil as it's used gets suspended contamination including acids, no need to leave that stuff sit in the motor for 6 months during the off season.

[racerdave]

I have always just ran the boat until up to temp and I made a apperatus that can hold five gallons of antifreeze I then connect it to boat and run it until antifreeze comes out of exhuast..... is this method acceptable? I have never had any problems on my I/O motor this year will by my first year with true inboard!

[skippabcool]

-remove block plugs from both sides (allow to drain, then reinstall)

I leave mine out. It seems that I read post where someone put them back in and the block cracked. Don't know if it is just coincidence.