Do It Yourself Winterizing

Winterizing tips for the do-it-yourselfer

Winterizing Choices

US Boatworks is proud to help you when it comes to winterizing your sterndrive or outboard motor.  We help by providing two choices for winterizing.  First off you can bring your boat in to be winterized and choose one of the three winterizing packages we offer. Or if you choose to do it yourself, we provide all the quality OEM supplies you need along with these valuable winterizing tips.

Winterizing Outboards and Inboards:

• Remove water from the engine & exhaust manifolds. Water left in the engine cooling system can freeze and crack the engine block.
• Remove water from your fresh water systems & live wells.
• Add fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank using a high-quality fuel stabilizer. Without stabilizer, the fuel can degrade over the winter months.  Make sure the stabilizer you select is for your fuel type & motor type (2 stroke).
• Winterize the cooling system using ethyl-glycol antifreeze (pink RV-type). If water is left behind, it will mix with the antifreeze, which will keep it from freezing.
• Lower unit lubrication should be changed. This eliminates water or contaminants that could harm the unit over the long winter. While you are at it, check for leaks and the condition of your propeller.
• Lock your outboard or outdrive if necessary.  Remove electronics and valuables.
• Check your trailer: Inspect bearings for rust and pitting.  Replace them if necessary.  Bearing seals should be well greased.  Check the tires and trailer brakes.
• ***Always refer to the service manual before performing any service on your motor.***

One more tip — if you winterize your boat on your own, remember most insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by freezing, even if you did your best. Having a high-quality, qualified repair shop winterize your boat limits your responsibility if freezing damage occurs.  If you live in the Kansas City area, call us  at 913-342-0011 to have your boat professionally winterized by our trained marine mechanics.

Not in the Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas area?  We can ship anywhere in the US.  We know what your boat needs and we have excellent prices.  Additionally, we have low shipping rates as we only charge you our cost to ship parts to you.  Call us or send us an email at sales@BoatEngine.com.

Winterize Now!

Temperatures have remained warm for the beginning of fall.  If you are still taking advantage of boating, you have a few more good days out on the water.  Some boaters have already brought their boat in for the winter.  If you have wrapped it up for the season, get here to winterize your boat sooner rather than later.  As soon as news of near freezing temperatures hits, our lot will be over full with winterizes & we hate to turn customers away. Don’t put it off too long!

Loyal customers choose US Boatworks for boat winterization because of our great rates and outstanding reputation. Each winterization is personally performed by one mechanic from beginning to end. Rest assured that your motor will be properly winterized and safe from the upcoming freeze.

Winterization Service Options:

1. Basic Winterization: (4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 8 cylinder)
   Stabilize fuel tank, fog engine, drain and refill block with antifreeze, check engine oil and gear oil.
2. Standard Winterization Service: (4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 8 cylinder)
   Stabilize fuel tank, fog engine, drain and refill block with antifreeze, check engine oil and gear oil. Plus change engine oil and gear lube.
3. Deluxe Engine Winterization: (4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 8 cylinder)
   Stabilize fuel tank, fog engine, drain and refill block with antifreeze, check engine oil and gear oil. Plus pull outdrive to inspect for wear, inspect bellows, grease u-joints, check alignment, grease bearings.

For more information on any of these winterization options send us an email at parts@boatengine.com or call us M-F 9-5 CST  & Saturday 9-12 at 913-342-0011. Tim, Ron or Mike are happy to help you with your boat repair or maintenance needs. We are open a few more Saturdays.  10/27 will be our last Saturday for the season, then we are only open 9-5 Monday through Friday until spring hits.

Happy boating.

DIY Boat Winterization Supply Guide

Winterizing tips for do-it-yourselfers:

This week daytime temperatures are dipping into the 60's and it finally feels like fall outside.  Enjoy these cooler temperatures by taking your boat out for a quick drive while you can.  Traffic on the lake will be at a minimum; you may have the lake all to yourself.  It may be a little chilly for water skiing and tubing, but it’s a delightful time for a nice drive on the lake or even spending the day fishing.

While you are enjoying the last few weeks on the lake, keep in mind that the task of winterizing your outboard or sterndrive is around the corner.  Winterization must be completed before the first hard freeze.

What is a responsible boat owner to do? You have two choices:

1. Have your boat engine winterized by certified mechanics
Our blog next week will cover tips on having your boat repair shop complete your winterization. If you want to get ahead of the rush, bring your boat into our shop now while the wait is minimal.

2. Winterize your motor on your own.
For the DIY boat mechanic, preparation is key in winterizing your boat.  Having the correct marine grade oil, lube and fuel stabilizer is important to prevent potential damage down the road.  Picking this up at the auto store or large discount chain is not the way to go.  If you are saving money by doing the task yourself, put some of that savings towards genuine Mercury Marine, Evinrude, Johnson or Volvo-Penta oils and lubes.   Below is a list of what you need before you begin winterization.  Stay tuned for more winterizing tips on this blog or search our archives for tips from previous seasons.

US Boatworks customers can enjoy 10% off your winterization items below when mentioning this blog- carry out only.

Outboard:
2 Stroke
Gear Lube
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer

4 Stroke
Anti-freeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

Sterndrive:
Antifreeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

Winterization Service Options

Winterizing your motor before the first hard freeze is extremely important to prevent expensive damage come spring time.  A cracked block as a result of freezing will cost thousands of dollars not to mention missed time out on the lake next spring while you wait for your motor to be repaired.  Spend the time and the money to have one of our certified technicians properly winterize your boat before it's too late.

As more and more boats arrive to our shop for winterization, it seems appropriate to review the service options from US Boatworks.  We offer three levels of winterization service to meet everyone's needs.  Feel free to review your options before you come in with your boat.  We are happy to answer all questions you may have regarding our winterizing process & look forward to seeing you soon.

Don't wait too long to winterize your outboard motor!

The BASIC service includes the following:

• Stabilize fuel
• Fog engine
• Drain and refill block with anti-freeze
• Check engine oil
• Check gear oil

The STANDARD service includes the same as the basic service above plus the engine oil & gear lube is changed:

• Stabilize fuel
• Fog engine
• Drain and refill block with anti-freeze
• Check engine oil
• Check gear oil
• Change engine oil
• Change gear lube

The DELUXE service includes all the items in the above standard service plus we pull the outdrive to inspect for wear, inspect bellows, grease u joints, check alignment and grease the bearing.

• Stabilize fuel
• Fog engine
• Drain and refill block with anti-freeze
• Check engine oil
• Check gear oil
• Change engine oil
• Change gear lube
• Pull the outdrive & inspect for wear, inspect bellows, grease u joints, check alignment and grease the bearing.

Boat Winterization

Winterization under way

Our lot is full to the brim with

Kansas City area
boats to winterize.  Many boaters already decided to get their
boats in for winterization service this year due to the cold weather in Kansas and Missouri
this week.   
Our customers choose US Boatworks for our great rates and outstanding
reputation.   Each winterization is personally performed by one
mechanic from beginning to end.  Rest assured that your motor will be
properly winterized and safe from the upcoming freeze.

Another reason our
customers choose US Boatworks is because we offer

boat parts that are hard to
find.  Parts for older boats that are not longer made are stocked by the
thousands.  We get people from all over the United States looking for
marine parts.  Most of our

old boat parts are
NLA - No Longer Available
marine parts
from the manufacturer.  Once a manufacturer stops producing parts that fit
your boat, it can be very difficult or impossible to fix your motor. 

The major brand boat parts we carry are

Mercury Marine, Mercruiser, OMC Cobra,
Johnson, Evinrude and Mariner.  Our lower unit replacement
program offers you two choices.  Choose a new lower unit or a
remanufactured lower unit by visiting our site.

For more information on any of
these products or service send us an email at
parts@boatengine.com or call us M-F
9-5 CST at 913-342-0011.  TIm, Ron or Mike are happy to help you with your
boat repair or maintenance needs.  We are open 9-5 Monday through Friday
until spring hits. 

Happy boating.