The End

[thedinz]

I know we all differente definitions of the end of the season.
But i live in the northeast and now starting to see the advertisments for shrinkwrapping everywhere, facebook craigslist etc.

Just another sad reminder that its over, or will soon be no matter how long you try to hold out, it will be over.

 

[briangcc]

I plan on making my winterization arrangements at the end of the month. I have gone all the way into November before - you can thank global warming for that.

 

[Dubed]

Traditionally, our last fishing trip is December 1st ish.
by then, its getting way too cold in Rhode Island

 

[Lou C]

Yep mine is usually out by Halloween, I don't like winterizing sterndrives in the cold, fingers are too old for that. Nice 70* day in Oct.
That among others is the big advantage of outboards, they extend your season very significantly and you just tilt it down and go to sleep no worries. I/O never again for me.

 

[matt167]

Literally my season hasn’t started yet. I’ll hit the lake with the little outboard runabout next weekend. I’ll run it till November

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Have the storage garage rented, put the ski boat and the patio furniture away along with all the water toys.

 

[thedinz]

I plan on making my winterization arrangements at the end of the month. I have gone all the way into November before - you can thank global warming for that.

Same, maybe this weekend in fact, will be in the 80's and i think thats our last hurrah. I predict a nosedive in temps after that. Probably go for a cruise sunday and then pull it. Plans can change but shooting for that day.

 

[thedinz]

Yep mine is usually out by Halloween, I don't like winterizing sterndrives in the cold, fingers are too old for that. Nice 70* day in Oct.
That among others is the big advantage of outboards, they extend your season very significantly and you just tilt it down and go to sleep no worries. I/O never again for me.

I mean, not to sound like a baby but my exact reasoning as well, i prefer to winterize in somewhat of warmth.

The last part of your message confuses me though, do you no longer own an i/o or no longer will winterize an i/o late in the season?

 

[Lou C]

I won’t wait till after mid Nov here in the northeast it just gets too cold to be futzing with drain plugs etc. Still have the I/O but next boat outboard only.

 

[Grub54891]

I will be pulling out the boats next week. Wife gets a knee replacement Wednesday this week, I get colon surgery mid October. Ugh…..

 

[airshot]

My boat sits in my barn ( thank the Lord) so I can run longer into the season. What n I had my I/O I used a 100 watt light bulb inside the doghouse to keep the engine around 60 degrees until the middle of Nov then put her to bed for the winter. A few years back I downsized to an outboard, so no real winterizing needed. If it does get cold when putting the boat away, a propane heater warms up the area enough to get things in order for the long winter sleep.

 

[topgun3690]

Most folks here along the Texas Gulf coast didn't think too much about winterizing their boats.....until the Big Freeze of February 2021.....Sadly, a lot of I/O owners paid the price.

 

[thedinz]

I won’t wait till after mid Nov here in the northeast it just gets too cold to be futzing with drain plugs etc. Still have the I/O but next boat outboard only.

Don't do it, lol

 

[JimS123]

Switching to 4-stroke outboards when I bought my 2 recent boats has changed the whole perspective of winterizing. Both are trailerable and garage kept, so weather is not an issue any more.

After deer season in early December I change the oils and whatnot and do a complete polish and trailer bearing service. If there is a warm day in early December they are still ready if I want to go for a boat ride.

Being an outboard, there is no danger of blocks freezing, so time is NOT of the essence.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Switching to 4-stroke outboards when I bought my 2 recent boats has changed the whole perspective of winterizing. Both are trailerable and garage kept, so weather is not an issue any more.

After deer season in early December I change the oils and whatnot and do a complete polish and trailer bearing service. If there is a warm day in early December they are still ready if I want to go for a boat ride.

Being an outboard, there is no danger of blocks freezing, so time is NOT of the essence.

Changing oil on a cold block?

 

[JimS123]

Changing oil on a cold block?

Yeah, when I was in my 50's I probably would not have done that.

In years past, when I had an I/O, the Owner's Manual said to run to normal temperature, yada, yada, and change the oil.

But, in my defense, my Owner's Manuals for my four current Mercury 4-strokes do not specify that requirement.

 

[briangcc]

I don't think my Honda outboard required it to be up to operating temp to do an oil change either...fwiw.

Just an Accord 4cyl on its side. Darn easy to do an oil & filter change on.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I can't not warm it up first before I change the oil, I think my grandpa would haunt me.

 

[thedinz]

I can't not warm it up first before I change the oil, I think my grandpa would haunt me.

Its sludge otherwise

 

[Lou C]

And if it’s an I/O & using a vacuum pump cold oil will not pump out!