Why do we winterize?

[light200]

Winterizing our boats....what does it really mean, and why do we do it? Whats wrong with just letting the boat sit for a few months in the cold? We do it with our cars all the time, no big deal right?

[evil0ne]

Boats use water for cooling. That water will freeze and expand causing a lot of damage. If it rarely freezes where you are you may not have to worry about it or get away with a shop light to warm the engine bay.

[hoopykat]

There are a few reasons, the most important being to prevent any potential damage to the engine while the boat is laid up for a few months. Changing the oil gets the engine coated with fresh, clean oil so contaminants don't sit on sensitive parts all winter. Fogging the cylinders puts a light coat of oil on the cylinder walls and the pistons/rings to help avoid corrosion/rust due to condensation with heating/cooling of the engine. Adding a fuel stabilizer helps prevent the gas turning to varnish and gumming the fuel system. Draining the block and flushing with antifreeze helps prevent damage caused by any remaining water freezing, expanding and damaging the engine; especially important in areas where freezing temps happen often. I'd say a hundred dollars or so for a winterization is good insurance against a costly engine repair later.

-Mike

[Ewok]

In south west Texas I have not done any winterization on my boat because it rarely goes below freezing in the winter and when it does I either keep my boat in the water or use a shop light in the engine comp overnight. I use my boat all year long down there and when others winterized, I just change the oil and change the impeller, check the plugs and anything else recommended other than fogging and anti-freeze. It all depends on where you live and where you store your boat.

[lohe]

Ewok I wish could boat all year I sill plan on going out in a few weeks and my friends think I am crazy lol.

[Ewok]

Come down to TX and buy my house, it makes a great winter vacation home.