Winter Months

[RHill]

Any suggestions on what to do to outboard motors in the winter when storing outside and you still may brave the cold and take it out fishing?

[bugman]

I always trim mine all the way down and let it drain for a few minutes every time i take it out of the water in the winter and turn it over a couple times to make sure all the water is out of the impeller,check to make sure there's no water in the lower unit grease and you should be good to go.

[Speck]

When you take it out of the water, make sure all of the water drains from the lower unit. Run fuel stabilizer in your gas. I'm sure there are other suggestions.

[Doctor Slabbenstein]

Thats how we winterize it. Tilt er all the way down and throw the cover over the boat. Just remember to tilt it up when you take it to the the lake. Another good idea is to check the oil in the lower unit to make you don't have any seals that may be leaking, you definitely don't wanna have any water in there that could freeze and bust something. This of course should be checked all the time anyway, but for sure in freezing temps.

[gabowman]

Thats how we winterize it. Tilt er all the way down and throw the cover over the boat. Just remember to tilt it up when you take it to the the lake. Another good idea is to check the oil in the lower unit to make you don't have any seals that may be leaking, you definitely don't wanna have any water in there that could freeze and bust something. This of course should be checked all the time anyway, but for sure in freezing temps.

And..as mentioned...add your stabil to the gas and get it into the carbs.

[ironmike63]

I use the Marine Sta-bil all of the time, it is supposed to take care of the ethanol in the gas. I use it in all mowing gas as well. I've never had a fuel problem. Walmart carries it, and it's cheap insurance.

[PurpleCrappie]

Same here with stabil year round.Also,run some quickleen during the warmer months.Engine down and full tank of gas winter storeing.

[LSL Angler]

When you use you boat all winter does any water stay in the bilge pump lines or the livewell lines that may cause your pumps to freeze up? Is there any secret to make sure they are cleared out.

[beagle man]

LSL just drain them best you can, and hit the swithch and run the pumps for a few seconds, wont hurt them, motor thing is a must drain the water before you leave the lake I use the seafoam all year.

[BLUESKEETER]

run sea foam year round,i always drain about 1/2 cup out of lower unit,trim down and let water run out,i always trim all the way up it takes presure off your tilt and trim cylinders.then tarp all down, been working good since nearly 80s i also do what beagle says above