Winterizing

Outboard Winterization - Resources & Information

Winterization is important for boats because it helps to protect the boat and its engine from the damaging effects of cold weather. During the winter, water can freeze and expand inside the boat's engine, plumbing, and other systems, which can cause damage and corrosion. By taking the time to winterize your boat properly, you can help to ensure that it is ready to hit the water again in the spring.

PartsVu offers a complete selection of Winterizing Products from OEM manufacturers and trusted aftermarket suppliers. Whether you need Heaters & Dehumidifiers

Water Flushing Systems, and much more, PartsVu has everything you need to get the job done for peace of mind.

Need help servicing your boat and outboard engine? PartsVu regularly publishes helpful how-to guides and other valuable maintenance information to help boaters properly service their boats and engines. Browse our outboard maintenance blog for a wide range of relevant topics and see the FAQ section below, covering everything you need to know about maintaining your boat in confidence.

Winterizing FAQ

Is winterizing my outboard important?

While it’s always a bit more fun to pull out your boat than to put it away, properly winterizing your outboard engine should be mandatory for all experienced boaters. Winterizing helps avoid engine damage and will facilitate a smoother start to the beginning of next season - after all, no one wants to wait to get back on the water!

There are several important steps you should take when storing your outboard lower unit to ensure that it’s properly winterized.

1. Flush Your Engine - Thoroughly flush your engine to remove any salt buildup if you are a saltwater boater, or accumulated mud and grime if you are a freshwater boater. Failure to remove this debris from your lower unit leads to corrosion in the engine. And if you’re a saltwater boater, leftover salt crystals in the lower unit can act like sandpaper to your internal engine components.
2. Stabilize Your Fuel System - Fuel starts to go bad within 30 days of sitting in your fuel system. It is vital to use a fuel stabilizer when your boat will be sitting unused for more than two or three months. Adding the amount of fuel stabilizer directed on the product’s packaging to your fuel—for instance, 1 ounce of Mercury Quickstor Fuel Stabilizer for every 5 gallons of marine fuel ensures proper winterization for more than 3 months. 
3. Fog Your Engine - Fogging oil is a wax-based oil that coats the engine to prevent corrosion.
4. Change Out the Lower Unit Oil - It’s recommended by marine mechanics to change your gear lube before storage to make sure that there is no water in the lower unit’s oil. Any water in the oil could freeze, expand, and crack your lower unit. Additionally, old oil is more likely to gum up oil passages and corrode components due to changes in its chemical composition through regular use. Last, consult your owners manual for which oil is appropriate for your engine.
5. Disconnect Your Battery - Disconnect your battery and spray CRC Marine Battery Terminal Cleaner on your battery terminals.

What’s the purpose of dehumidifiers for winterazation boats?

Dehumidifiers can be used during the winterization process to help remove excess moisture from a boat's interior. Moisture can cause a number of problems for boats, such as the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage the boat's interior and create a musty odor. Dehumidifiers work by drawing in moist air and then using a cooling system to extract the moisture, which is then collected in a tank or disposed of through a drainage hose. By using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from a boat's interior, you can help to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can help to protect your boat from the damaging effects of moisture.

Additionally, products such as Starbrite No Damp Dehumidifier and DampRid can be placed in areas that are prone to moisture

What are water flushing systems for winterizing boats used for?

Water flushing systems are used for winterzation boats to help remove any remaining water from the boat's engine and plumbing systems. These systems typically consist of a hose that is attached to the boat's water intake and a motor that is used to force water through the engine and plumbing. The water is then flushed out through the boat's exhaust, which helps to prevent the water from freezing and causing damage during the winter. By using a water flushing system, you can help to ensure that your boat's engine and plumbing are free of water, which can help to protect your boat from the damaging effects of freezing temperatures.

How much does winterization cost? Is DIY boat winterizing worth it?

As with many boating tasks, it is always cheaper to get your boat ready for winter by doing it yourself. Typically, most boats only cost about $250 to fully winterize (less for smaller boats and engines, more for larger boats and multiple engines). Of course, you’re trading some of your time, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on with your boat before sealing it away for the winter. 

By contrast, having your boat winterized at a boatyard will start at $500 - not including a full boat wrap, which seals it in removable plastic to ensure that no moisture gets through. Depending on your budget, storage location, and needs, a professional winterization job might be worth it to protect your investment and value of your boat. 

To find out where to get your boat winterized, start by searching for “who winterizes boats near me” and “boat winterization near me” in a search engine. Call each boatyard and ask which services they perform, which services are extra, and any other costs you can expect. 

Where can I learn more about winterising my boat?

Performing the right boat winterization is much simpler than it seems. To help you find out what you need to do, be sure to read PartsVu’s extensive collection of winterization guides:

• Winterizing Mercury Outboard Motor—Mercury Marine Essential Maintenance
• Winterizing Outboard Motor—Yamaha Essential Maintenance
• Boat Winterization in South Texas?
• How to Winterize a Sterndrive

How do I protect the exterior of my outboard motor?

For the exterior of your Outboard Engine, coat these surfaces with anti-corrosion products like Corrosion Guard. This rust inhibitor forms a water-resistant barrier on both painted and unpainted surfaces. We recommend using it at every service interval with a liberal application to all metal engine surfaces. You can also use it on outdrives, lower units, and power trim motors.

The marine environment is one of the harshest on the planet. This is why protecting your boat from corrosion is extremely important. For premium defense against rust, we highly recommend this product.

Also, PartsVu carries a wide selection of Marine Spray Paint. The durable enamel coating of these spray paint products, in factory-matched colors, provide excellent coverage against the elements. Everything you need to restore or customize your cowling cover.

Suzuki marine spray paints are high-quality, factory-matched spray paint for touch-ups or full overcoat application. This durable enamel coating provides good performance in the rigors of the marine environment. 

As is the case with any painting task, surface preparation is very important. Note that paint may fade over time on an outboard motor exposed to the elements over time, so the factory-fresh color supplied in this can may not match older paint exactly. Therefore, the application area may need to be larger to provide for proper blending of the color.

Do you need to winterize boat if stored inside?

Whether or not you need to winterize your boat if it is stored inside depends on a number of factors, such as the temperature inside the storage area and the type of boat you have. In general, it is always a good idea to take steps to protect your boat from the cold, even if it is stored inside. This can help to prevent damage to the boat's engine and other systems, and can also help to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If you are not sure whether your boat needs to be winterized, it is always best to consult with a boat mechanic or other expert who can provide you with guidance on the best way to protect your boat during the winter.