Should I winterize my boat?

[rbronston]

Hello, Im a new boat owner. I live in NE Florida, the temps in the winter do get down in the 30s and 40s on occasion but usually not for more then a week or two. I still plan on using my boat in the winter here. Do I need to do anything to winterize it?

 

[airshot]

Keep it in a non freezing garage or barn....in the past I used two 75 watt light bulbs in those aluminum housings inside the dog house, low in the engine compartment during cold spells, according to my thermometer it stayed 50-60 degrees. Are you a gambler ??

 

[briangcc]

Remember the freak winter storm in Texas that burst a bunch of pipes?

I'd at least drain the engine, assuming an I/O, between uses.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hello, Im a new boat owner. I live in NE Florida, the temps in the winter do get down in the 30s and 40s on occasion but usually not for more then a week or two. I still plan on using my boat in the winter here. Do I need to do anything to winterize it?

I live in Bradenton and it freezes here. unless you are living within a mile of the gulf or atlantic, at a minimum drain (assuming I/O without a heat exchanger). for a few of those days, I will throw a 75 watt trouble light in the bilge to keep the raw water side from freezing (half system)

you didnt state I/O or OB

in either case, you have your annual PM's to do

 

[ThomW]

Agreed with the above. If it's an outboard, leaving it in the down position it will safe drain and be fine...but you still wanna change gear lube, oil, and filters as annual maintenance.

If it's an I/O and you plan to use it throughout the winter, I would still pull the drain plugs on block and pull the hoses to drain the block after you use it and it will be sitting for a week or two. Little bit of work....but way better than fixing a cracked block....