Radnine Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 (edited) This no doubt gets covered every year, but for the new people to boat ownership what is required to get it back into the water? I removed the batteries and put them in a warm place all winter. Will they need re-charging before use? If so, will the on-board charger suffice for the cranking and deep cycle batteries? What about any anti-freeze that was put into the live well or bilge, will it need to be drained outside of a body of water or can you just run lake water through the system to flush it (is the anti-freeze biodegradable?)? And the fogged motor and stabilized fuel, do you just turn the key and go (can you believe I aced the boater card test? )? Thanks in advance, Jim Edited March 24, 2009 by Radnine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peps Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 I'm thinking the same thing.... i would like to do it myself this year instead of gettin dinged for $350.00. it can't be that difficult is it? i have the muffs what else do i need to get her goin? peps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 I'm thinking the same thing.... i would like to do it myself this year instead of gettin dinged for $350.00. it can't be that difficult is it? i have the muffs what else do i need to get her goin? peps $350, are you serious? That's robbery!. There was a similar thread about 2-3 weeks ago that covered it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peps Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 no joke Fisherman, thats why i want to do it myself peps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hirk Posted March 24, 2009 Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 Radnine you can charge the batteries onboard,you should trickle charge them over the winter even when in doors as they will discharge.You should you RV bio-degradable anti-freeze but if you didn't run some fresh water through the lines in the drive way to wash it out and dilute it.As for fogging just drop it in the water (don't do this with people close by) and warm it up at a fast idle,fogging will burn off and away you go.Grease all fittings and give everything the once over before heading too the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radnine Posted March 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2009 Radnine you can charge the batteries onboard,you should trickle charge them over the winter even when in doors as they will discharge.You should you RV bio-degradable anti-freeze but if you didn't run some fresh water through the lines in the drive way to wash it out and dilute it.As for fogging just drop it in the water (don't do this with people close by) and warm it up at a fast idle,fogging will burn off and away you go.Grease all fittings and give everything the once over before heading too the water. Mucho appreciatto, hirk. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmichit Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 don't forget to check the lower unit gear oil. In Spring (since i change it in the fall winterizing)I like to make sure it's topped up, and clean not milky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 this is also my first spring "de-winterizing" ... I'm probably going to change the plugs / lower unit oil and possibly repack/grease the trailer bearings. Just saw some great tutorials on the net that teach me how to do it, doesn't seem to take very long and it's cheap insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 Victor, get yourself some bearing buddies if you don't already have them. We've been running the same set of bearings on the trailer forever without issue. Also, I don't think you need to swap plugs just to swap plugs. Take them out, have a look and if they are in decent shape, them them in there.. We change the gear oil at the end of each season, one less thing to do during the spring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohhenrygsr Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 Yea gear oil should always be changed in the fall just incase there is water mixed in with the oil, it won't freeze over winter and result in a cracked lower unit $$$. It's amazing how much work is involved to get a boat ready for the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranks bait Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 $350.00 to float the boat? Dang. All I did was had mine pulled out of storage. Took the cover off and turned the key. I had to do absolutely nothing. Boy do I love my E-tec! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grt1 Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 I do my own spring thing on my 20 hp merc but for my opti 150 I take it to the dealer to check the lower unit oil and fire it up for the first time . My insurance on the boat and motor stipulates that I must have it properly winterized by a dealer in order to maintain my policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 I just need a fresh tank of gas, hook up the batteries, and I"m gone. 3 pulls, and we're fishing. Simple is best! Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 All I've gotta do is take the plugs off my livewell intakes, install the screens...back it in the lake and hit the key ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohhenrygsr Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 $350.00 to float the boat? Dang. All I did was had mine pulled out of storage. Took the cover off and turned the key. I had to do absolutely nothing. Boy do I love my E-tec! I wish i had a Engine that winterized itself . LOL yea i can't wait to unwrap my boat it's gonna be like a Christmas Present. Anyone got dates on there unveiling of their toys.?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 I wish i had a Engine that winterized itself . LOL yea i can't wait to unwrap my boat it's gonna be like a Christmas Present. Anyone got dates on there unveiling of their toys.?? Last Sunday! Cleaned her up real nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 I wish i had a Engine that winterized itself .\ It doesn't. It's just a marketing gamble. I'd still be dumping the lower unit every fall. You get to live with it after the warrantee expires.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 tone z71 Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 \ It doesn't. It's just a marketing gamble. I'd still be dumping the lower unit every fall. You get to live with it after the warrantee expires.. hmmmmmm plugs within 50-hrs ,water in gearcase first season,wouldent shut off second season with the key I guess thats a good thing better than not starting,kiss your mechanic good bye is a major understatement on these engines never again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 tone z71 Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'm thinking the same thing.... i would like to do it myself this year instead of gettin dinged for $350.00. it can't be that difficult is it? i have the muffs what else do i need to get her goin? peps what kind of boat/engine are we talking about here 350 dont go far when labours hitting 100/hr at some marinas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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