Boat/Motor Storage for winter

[duke2555]

If I store my boat/motor in a garage/barn that doesn't go below freezing, do I still need to winterize the boat/motor?

 

[AKRISONER]

3 minutes ago, duke2555 said:

If I store my boat/motor in a garage/barn that doesn't go below freezing, do I still need to winterize the boat/motor?

 

is the garage heated? Do you intend to use your boat through the winter?

 

The idea of "winterizing" is essentially just a maintenance schedule thing with truly the only thought processes being 1. Ensuring theres no water in the lower unit to avoid cracking it upon freezing and 2. Avoiding problems with ethanol gas by stabilizing and ensuring the tank is full to avoid condensation.

Dont skip the maintenance on your boat...guys in florida still do all of these things because they are needed.

[Rizzo]

Does your boat see a lot of activity? If so I would do it all anyways. I have a small outboard that doesn't see much use (3-5 hours a season) and I store it in the basement. With that one sometimes all I do is run some stabilizer through the gas, spray some fogging oil into the air intake while its running and haul'er downstairs. Change the seals maybe every 3 rd year. Is it the best idea? Maybe not but I have had it 8 years and its doing fine. 

[Rizzo]

...fyi that small outboard is a 2 stroke

[duke2555]

the barn temperature does not go below 40-42 degrees as they store other equipment in there that they don't let freeze...

[AKRISONER]

8 minutes ago, duke2555 said:

the barn temperature does not go below 40-42 degrees as they store other equipment in there that they don't let freeze...

then just consider the fact that you might use the boat in sub zero temperatures...i think in canada its always a good idea to check for water in your lower end anyways.

[LeXXington]

That could be a very expensive mistake if the temp(s) drop and a power outage occurs.   Just treat it as putting the boat to sleep all safe and sound

[bigbuck]

I’d winterize it. Better to be safe than sorry esp if it’s an i/o. If it’s an outboard it’s not as critical because the water drains out of the motor. It is good practice to change the motor oil, gear oil and fog both an outboard and i/o. 

[Terry]

All you have to do is open the plug a little and see if the oil is milky  if not you are fine 

[John Bacon]

Yes, most of the "winterizing" steps don't really have much to do with temperature.  Fogging prevents corrosion during long periods without use, lower end oil needs to be changed on occasion, etc.; this is true regardless of temperature.

[limeyangler]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:20 AM, Rizzo said:

Does your boat see a lot of activity? If so I would do it all anyways. I have a small outboard that doesn't see much use (3-5 hours a season) and I store it in the basement. With that one sometimes all I do is run some stabilizer through the gas, spray some fogging oil into the air intake while its running and haul'er downstairs. Change the seals maybe every 3 rd year. Is it the best idea? Maybe not but I have had it 8 years and its doing fine. 

^^^^^^^^ THIS^^^^^^€