When do you pull your freshwater boat?

[thedinz]

As the title says, just wondering when most of you guys who may have your boat on a dock or mooring pull it and winterize it.
I suppose it depends on the season but this August seems to be particularly cooler then past seasons so it has me wondering if the time is sooner.
What do you generally do?

 

[DeepCMark58A]

When ever the dock guy calls and schedules the dock coming out the boats get put away. Late September early October, have to get the leaf peeping cruises in.

 

[briangcc]

Mine resides on my trailer. Once the weather really starts turning I call the marina to get it in. This year I'm planning end of Sept.

 

[thedinz]

When ever the dock guy calls and schedules the dock coming out the boats get put away. Late September early October, have to get the leaf peeping cruises in.

This sounds nice, im never patient enough, i like to winterize my boat (as i do it myself) while its still somewhat warm out, so i tend to pull it sooner then most.

 

[Chris1956]

As long as the water doesn't freeze, you are OK, with the outdrive down and the block is kept warm. On an I/O, I always put a 40W heating pad under the oil pan whenever the temps got to freezing. I would fish into Jan here on the NJ coast.

However, once you pull it, it needs to be winterized immediately. Once out of the water, the block can easily freeze.

 

[flashback]

I don't wait to the last minute. Been there done that. 30 degrees out freezing my ars off busted knuckles. ..

 

[thedinz]

I don't wait to the last minute. Been there done that. 30 degrees out freezing my ars off busted knuckles. ..

Exactly this for me, i like to work on it when its warm

 

[cyclops222]

I have pulled it when it would not start.

 

[JimS123]

I built a garage (barn) big enough to fit the boat. I WON'T leave my prized possession out in the elements.

Starting about early September I stabilize the gas in the tank and add more every time I add more gas. Come October, when the snow starts to fly, I'm ready to winterize and I have no more to do with the gas.

With a big car that can handle the boat, and with a powerwinch which makes launching and retrieving a dream, I see no need to moor.

I sold my last boat after 35 years of use. She still looked like new and I got more than I paid for her brand new.

 

[cyclops222]

I know all new boats are not like that.

 

[ScottinAZ]

mine are trailered.. Ill winterize the motors after the last trips of the year. Last trip I run with Stabil in the fuel, then pump the tanks as dry as I can (we dont have no-ethanol fuel here.... ) and it goes into the Tahoe to be used. Fresh tanks full in the spring. Oil gets changed, and plugs pulled usually around the middle of October, when it starts getting chilly in the morning. We only get a few "hard freeze" days a winter, but I figure better safe than sorry.

 

[thedinz]

mine are trailered.. Ill winterize the motors after the last trips of the year. Last trip I run with Stabil in the fuel, then pump the tanks as dry as I can (we dont have no-ethanol fuel here.... ) and it goes into the Tahoe to be used. Fresh tanks full in the spring. Oil gets changed, and plugs pulled usually around the middle of October, when it starts getting chilly in the morning. We only get a few "hard freeze" days a winter, but I figure better safe than sorry.

I heard recently that it might be better to store with 3/4 tank full (treated of coarse) as that will help reduce condensation in tank.

 

[Pmt133]

I've pushed through ice on the bay on more than one occasion to pull. The 19 is a trailer boat now and I've been out plenty in jan/feb. If the high is in the 40s I'll be out on something.

The 33 comes out around thanksgiving depending on the long range. I've pulled week of Christmas if it's moderate out. Need some time to R&R the little projects that build all year. Then usually launched middle of March. NJ has been forgiving the last 15 years or so.

 

[Grub54891]

I’ve pulled when it’s snowing. Not doing that again! Impossible to clean up for storage. But getting it winterized goes fairly well.

 

[JimS123]

I heard recently that it might be better to store with 3/4 tank full (treated of coarse) as that will help reduce condensation in tank.

Mercury Marine has published guidelines for off-season storage, plus there are many write-ups about the myths of ethanol. Bottom line is completely empty or almost full if stabilized.

Regardless, the storage conditions are most important. If kept in a dry garage the chances of condensation are minimal. Park it in the back yard and throw a tarp over the boat and you better be more careful.

I have a classic outboard that is seldom used and it has run on 2 year old stabilized gas and it ran just fine.

 

[legalfee]

I use non-ethanol and Stabil. My boat stays in the water year round. And as long as the water is not too low I run it in the winter.

 

[Scott Danforth]

My buds boat is the first in on his lake in the spring usually a day or two after ice-out, and last off, usually deer hunting weekend

 

[Captain Caveman]

Bottom line is completely empty or almost full if stabilized.

Okay, I'll bite. I thought that it should be completely full, as almost full leaves the entire ceiling surface of the fuel tank open for condensation. Did something change to this advice? Is there a concern about fuel expansion?? Is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull???

To the OP - here in Minnesota the lakes start to freeze in November. I usually try to sneak in one last trip to the cabin or fishing trip before the ice comes in for good. I've busted through fresh ice many times with my Alumacraft. I've changed oil many times in the cold. The worst problem for me is if it snows or gets icy before I tow my boat home, and I have to deal with salt on the roads. Now I've got to find a way to wash my boat and trailer before putting it away for the year.

 

[matt167]

I generally like boating more in September- October. No ramp follies ( unless it happens to be me, then nobody’s there to see it usually lol )… I haven’t even been out yet but have a few trips planned after Labor Day. I’ll run till November with my little outboard

 

[JimS123]

I thought that it should be completely full, as almost full leaves the entire ceiling surface of the fuel tank open for condensation. Did something change to this advice? Is there a concern about fuel expansion?? Is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull???

Completely vs. Almost. Are we arguing about semantics here?

What is completely? Until the gas pump nozzle trips? Until there is gas coming up in the tank filler hose?

Now, when did you fill it? Mid November when it was 30 degrees? What about that odd January thaw when the garage rises to 60 degrees? Think maybe it will expand out on the floor.

Just use common sense.

(Gravity only affects tanks in the southern hemisphere.)