Winterization...

[agent washington]

So im coming to the end of my first season with my new boat 2001 tige 21v. its the first time me and my crew have owned a half decent boat and we're wondering what we have to do to prepare her for the long cold winter months, we used to have and old bayliner which we used to pull off a pipe and fill the engine with antifreeze. Not to sure what to do with the V drive??

would greatly appreciate some advice because we're all broke after buying her and spending the rest on juice over the summer, if we can winterise it ourselves that would help

[saltwater_cowboy]

How could does it get where you are?

Here in the UK it rarely gets cold enough to cause a problem but its still adviseable to winterise. You need about 5 days of constantly below freezing temps both day and night) before water in the engine will freeze.

I'll be winterising mine soon and here's what I'll be doing :

Run the engine up to temp.

Drain engine oil, fill with fresh oil and new filter.

Do same with gearbox / V drive if required

Add fuel stabiliser to the tank.

Remove the intake hose and run about 5- 10 gallons or water / antifreeze mix through the engine. This will pass through the V drive, tranmission cooler, raw water pump, engine circulating pump, engine and manifolds.
While the engine is still running add engine fogging oil down the intake till it stalls (on a MPI engine you'll need to remove the plugs and add some down the bores).

Next there are two lines of thought. Some believe that leaving the water/antifreeze mix in the engine has anti corrosive properties and is best. The other option is to now drain the block, manifolds and hoses thinking that is there is no fluid left there is no chance for it to freeze. (this is what I do).

Grease up rudder, steering, control cables

Apply lashings of WD40 etc to all electrical contacts, engine etc.

Cover and store.

Other options if you plan on using the boat over the winter include adding a 5W light bulb to the engine compartment. Turn this on over the cold spells and the heat will prevent the block from getting cold enough to freeze the coolant. Ideal if you fancy a quick bit of boarding without having to re - winterise after each outing.

Some people also cover the exhaust outlets to stop rodents crawling up there

[agent washington]

mucho gracias amigo, prob wont get the chance to look at the boat until the w/e - i'll let you know how i get on!

[milk tray man]

what is fogging oil and where can you get it from. also what oil do you put in the gearbox?(1988 prostar 190 351w with velevet drive).if you drain all water is there any benefit to flushing with antifreeze?
thanks dave.

[rossl]

Put normal car ATF in the velvet drive, you will need a pump to get old stuff out, fogging oil is a lightweight oil to stop the internals rusting over winter (Run the engine @ 2000 rpm and spray into carb till engine dies), you can get it from most boat shops.


cheers
ross