Winterizing your boat at the Lake of the Ozarks could the difference between enjoying the water next year or being landlocked for a time. In fact, winter can be harder on your watercraft than summer! Being consistently used allows the pieces to stay pliable and the systems lubricated. When stuck in your shed all winter everything is given the chance to get hard, or even worse - rusted. Here are a few things you'll want to do to make sure that you don't have any unnecessary hiccups next Spring when you're ready to take the boat out.
Clean the Machine
A clean boat is going to handle it's vacation better than one that hasn't been cleaned. Be sure to get the top sides, bottom and deck, plus you can clean all of the hardware and trim. If you're feeling extremely productive you can put a coat of wax on the topsides too! Give your boat a look over, walk around it and inspect for anything that may look suspicious. If you have a fiberglass boat, check for any blistering in the, and be sure to treat and repair the problems. Don't forget to show some love to your Bimini tops, spray hoods and windscreens while you're cleaning too!
Flush and Prepare Your Systems
If you have an inboard or stern drive boat with a raw water cooling system, be sure to thoroughly flush and clean the engine with fresh water to remove dirt and corrosion. We may not live in an extreme climate here at the Lake of the Ozarks, but it can get cold through out the winter. You may want to consider running anti-freeze into the cooling system. Your outboard motor can be flushed with freshwater and all water should be drained from the engine.
Treat Your Engine Right
When you treat your engine properly, it will treat you properly, by continuing to run longer and fuss less. Taking time to clean out your outboard motors will help reduce build up, as well as protect the internal engine components. Do you have questions about how to winterize your outboard motor? Give us a call or shoot us an email, we'd love to help you out.
Check the Engine Oil
You winterizing checklist should include a healthy dose of oil. You'll want to change the oil and the filter on stern drive, inboard engines, and four-stroke outboards. You'll want to make sure that the engine is slightly warmed up to help clear out the sediment with the discarded oil.
Cut Down on Moisture
Check the bilges and removed any standing water, clean up any dirt or oil as well. You'll want to make sure and do this with the lockers, drawers, live wells, fish holds, and storage areas. Clean these areas completely by removing all objects, and then placing commercial moisture absorbents to eliminate mold and mildew. Remove all of the cushions and clean them well, especially underneath, and prop them up on the edge to let the air dry them out and circulate.
Remove and Store
Don't leave any unnecessary "stuff" on board your vessel throughout the winter. If it can be removed, this is a good time to do so. Life jackets, dock lines, fire extinguishers, flares, fenders, skit ropes, and any other gear you tote around on the boat should be cleaned and removed. This will help to eliminate the areas that dust and moisture can gather in the storage areas.
The End of Boating Season is Near...or Is It?
If you're bemoaning the fact that it's about time to put the boat away for the winter - think again! Our units do still need winterized, but if you want to continue using your boat for longer, we can help with that. If you are going to stop using it for any period of time though, you must winterize your units. From new
fishing boats at the Lake of the Ozarks, to pre-owned wave runners, we have just the toys you need to enjoying
boating at the Lake of the Ozarks. Come in and visit our showroom and let our friendly staff introduce you to a unit that will add much joy to your life!
Connect with Surdyke Yamaha on...
Pinterest
Highway Store Location Marina Store Location Surdyke's Port 20
5863 Osage Beach Parkway 1660 Yamaha Drive 5395 Spruce Lane
Osage Beach, MO 65065 Osage Beach, MO 65065 Osage Beach, MO 65065
(573) 348-6575 (573) 348-9283 (573) 348-3178
Check the bilges and removed any standing water, clean up any dirt or oil as well. You'll want to make sure and do this with the lockers, drawers, live wells, fish holds, and storage areas. Clean these areas completely by removing all objects, and then placing commercial moisture absorbents to eliminate mold and mildew. Remove all of the cushions and clean them well, especially underneath, and prop them up on the edge to let the air dry them out and circulate.
Comments
Post a Comment