Need help winterizing a 1998 175.

[floorman1]

I just bought this boat in Sept. and had it out on the water three times and really love it so far. Living up in New York it is now time to winterize. I winterized the motor which was pretty easy to do. If someone could give me some direction as to how to winterize the hull it would be greatly appreciated. I looks like my livewell will drain out the starboard side of the hull, but the front fishbox still has some water in it.

[slvrlng]

Shopvac or blow the drains and thruhulls with air then you can add a little enviro antifreeze to the drain in case any water gets back in.

[floorman1]

Shopvac or blow the drains and thruhulls with air then you can add a little enviro antifreeze to the drain in case any water gets back in.

That seems simple enough.Is this all I need to do to protect all the fittings and piping in the boat from freezing and causing a problem? Thanks.

[louiefl]

Make sure the petcock is open for the raw water intake it is located in the rear life area. Disconnect the pump suction and discharge lines and blow a little compressed air in the pump to make sure it is dry

My live well drain hose retains water so it might make sense to disconnect the bottom drain line under the well and make sure there is no standing water regardless of weather.

I'd be tempted to remove the fish box pump out hose at the pump and stuff it in the bilge. Make sure your drain plug is out and the boat is stored so water will naturally drain out the rear.  Store the motor tilted down.  

I'm in south Florida, so none of this applies to me...

[200CCPMerc200]

The main thing is to undo all plugs and elevate the bow. Mop or vacuum any standing water. I store mine in canada, i store my motors in the shop, tarp the console and shrinkwrap the rest of the boat

[seabob4]

I'm in south Florida, so none of this applies to me...

You knew this was coming...

"What is this concept of winterizing that you speak of, Grasshopper?"

       

[fitz73222]

I'm in south Florida, so none of this applies to me...

You knew this was coming...

"What is this concept of winterizing that you speak of, Grasshopper?"

       

What's he talking about bob? Unplug the gas line and let it run out of gas if its going to sit more than a couple of weeks! I love winterizing an outboard in Florida...

[seabob4]

Farley,
It must be those little "2 day winters" we get every couple of weeks...

Although today, chilly, saw 65.  Good day to stay indoors...

[dburr]

You guys all probably know this...  Today's pet safety tip.. When putting anti freeze in the tubing, be careful about where it will drain out of the boat.. Anti freeze is toxic to animals and has a sweet taste so it ends up being attractive to dogs and cats..  Any concentrated amount will destroy their kidneys in a matter of hours so please be careful.

On the other hand we found out that it is a GREAT mouse killer too.  When we opened up camp this past spring there were 5 dead mice in the toilet bowl..  You may get a surprise when you open up the fish box

[dburr]

Farley,
It must be those little "2 day winters" we get every couple of weeks...

Although today, chilly, saw 65.  Good day to stay indoors...

Topped out today at 36 with brilliant sun.. Get outside and get that vitamin D

[seabob4]

Dave,
Use the pink stuff...non-toxic anti-freeze.  Doesn't taste too good, but won't harm anything...

Good little read here...http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... KWSteQWQ98

[dburr]

Dave,
Use the pink stuff...non-toxic anti-freeze.  Doesn't taste too good, but won't harm anything...

Good little read here...http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... KWSteQWQ98

That was the stuff I used... Maybe they drowned in the bowl cause they couldn't get out..??  Just couldn't figure out why/how they got in there, I thought the stuff smelled good but then again my schnozz has been toasted by paint thinners, gas fumes and other noxious but great cleaners over the last 40 years...

About twice a year our vet tells us about Ethylene Glycol poisoning and it's all over the antifreeze labels, just thought a gentile reminder would help avert a horrible ending.

[seabob4]

Agreed, Dave.  Any time I have a spill, I hose the area down, try to disperse it or dilute it.  May not be my dog, but somebody elses, you never know...

[fitz73222]

Farley,
It must be those little "2 day winters" we get every couple of weeks...

Although today, chilly, saw 65.  Good day to stay indoors...

Topped out today at 36 with brilliant sun.. Get outside and get that vitamin D

I really admire you guys up north and your ability to survive weeks or months without appreciable sunshine. If we get 3 days down here without sunshine I can feel my mood change and its not for the better. We're so used to having sunshine and motabilizing sunlight into Vitamin D it really effects us when the supply is shut down. Of course by the time most of us are in our 50's or 60's we've had a 1/2 dozen questionable moles and leasions cut out of our cheeks, necks and ears; the price of sunshine! Sorry for the derail...

[gran398]

Slight derail:

Ethylene Glycol kills athlete's foot.

Haven't tried it on jock itch.