[OSMB-News] News Release -Time to Winterize Your Boat

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release	Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Time to Winterize Your Boat
	
	We’ve moved the clocks back for daylight savings time which is
a signal to recreational boaters to start winterizing your boat.  With
temperatures already dipping into the near-freezing temperatures, it’s
even more important to winterize your boat to avoid costly repairs in
the spring.  Here’s a list to make winterizing your boat a little
faster:

Your Boat
1.	If possible, store your boat ashore for the winter.  The
bulkhead, keel and motor are the critical areas needing support. 
Cradles work best, but don’t store your boat on a cradle that wasn’t
designed for the boat you have.
2.	If you store your boat in the water, make sure to close all
through-hull fittings, gate valves and seacocks to keep the water out. 
As water freezes, it expands and can break these important features. 
Also, plug any exhaust ports. Do not, however, close cockpit drains. 
Check on your boat occasionally to make sure lines are secure and the
bilge remains dry.
3.	Make sure to cover your boat.  Use a frame under the cover to
prevent water from pooling or tearing the cover.  Canvas is best because
it breathes.  If you use plastic, make sure you leave vents in it to
allow any moisture to escape.  Allow for drainage if you’re storing
outside.
4.	Add non-toxic antifreeze to water tanks, toilets and septic
holding tanks.  Never use engine antifreeze in a freshwater system.
5.	Make sure to remove any electronic equipment, important
documents or other valuables.  Marinas are more like ghost yards in the
winter, and tempting to thieves.


Your Engine
●	Drain the cooling system and add anti-freeze.  On outboards,
this means filling a large bucket or drum with enough antifreeze fluid
to reach the water intake, then running the motor until it is warm.  Use
non-toxic antifreeze only.
●	Disconnect the battery and store in a warm, dry place. If you
have to leave it on board to operate an alarm or bilge pump, fill
battery cells with distilled water and fully charge it so it doesn’t
freeze.  Apply petroleum jelly to clean terminals to prevent corrosion.
●	Oil: Drain and replace the engine, transmission and outdrive
oil. Replace gear oil in outdrives.  Use internal oil fogger when the
engine is warm to prevent corrosion.  Many boat dealers have service
centers that can help with the messy fluids and recycling for a
reasonable price.
●	Top off fuel tanks, leaving a little room for expansion.  Add a
fuel stabilizer, especially if you run gasoline with ethanol blended
in.
●	To keep water from collecting in outdrives, leave them in the
down position.
	
If winterizing a boat isn’t your forte, call or visit your local
marine service center for prices and scheduling.

For more tips on winterizing your boat and trailer, visit
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/Clean/maintenance.shtml#Winterizing_Your_Boat.
###


Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us
www.boatoregon.com
www.twitter.com/marineboard

"Clean, Drain and Dry your boat to prevent the spread of aquatic
nuisance species."