[Biggems]

Hey everybody, I'm new to this forum and am rather new to boating in itself. I just got a 14'6" Northwood aluminum hull fishing boat. It has a deck in it with bilge pump, running lights, and live well. No outboard just trolling motor. Does this need to be "winterized"? and if so, how? I've attached a couple of pictures so you can get a better idea of what i'm working with.

Thanks!

[5150abf]

Not really, winterizing is mostly for motors that aren't going to be run for a long time.

Just cover it good with a nice tall peak and get the snow(GAAAA!!! I said the S word!!) off and you should be fine.

Pull your battery and set it inside your house somewhere after you top off the charge.

[CATransplant]

Well, yours is a little bigger than mine, but I just turn mine upside down on the trailer, with a 2x4 across the bunks and the bow ring hooked to the winch. Works great, and I don't have to worry about the cover collapsing.

Outboard and trolling motor go in the basement on the laundry sink. All the other junk in the boat goes in a box.

Then, in the Spring, I reverse the process, once hard freezes are over.

[Biggems]

cool thanks guys. I also plan on using my boat some in the early and late winter too.

Also, what is the best way to test the bilge pump before I put it in the water? should I just take a hose, stick it under the deck, and fill er' up?

[Silvertip]

If your boat is stored outside, you want to pull the drain plug and make sure the back of the boat is lower than the front so any snow and/or water that gets in there can escape out the drain. If water puddles around the bilge pump it will be broken in the spring. Remember -- water freezes. Unless it has a way to escape, it will damage anything it comes in contact with. To test the pump, turn on the switch. If it runs it probably works. But to if it actually pumps, it needs water. Insert the plug and put some water in the bilge.

[Biggems]

ok yeah the guy I bought it from said it is an auto bilge pump. (float switch right?) so it should turn on automaticaly.

Would it be better to just remove the pump for the winter or is that too much work?

[tashasdaddy]

i use this in the south.

[Biggems]

is that custom built with PVC or do they actualy sell something like that?

[chrisg]

It't too early to talk winterizing, or do you know something we dont?

Talking about that, someone said to put dryer sheets in the boat, the animals dont like the smell and stay away. Anyone else heard of that?

With a small boat, flip it upside down and call it good. ( take the motor and stuff off first) Or let it sit and become a bird bath when the snow melts!

[Biggems]

I would flip it over, but I dont know how heavy the boat is or if it would work with the deck. I am picking up the boat on the 19th of this month so I dont have it yet. Not sure if the deck is actualy fastened down or just resting there. Also have no idea how heavy it is.

[tashasdaddy]

the frame is just pvc parts i picked up at home depot. for snow load, use atleast 1 1/2 inch pvc.