Here is the checklist that I use each year to winterize my boat. Any comments and/or suggestions would be appreciated and incorporated.

1. Zincs - Haul boat and inspect/replace zinc anodes – stern, trim tabs, shafts, etc. This should be done anytime your boat is hauled out. If your boat has not been hauled out during the boating season, then have it hauled out for a winterization inspection.

2. Wax - Put a coat of wax on to protect the boat over the winter.

3. Fuel - Add fuel stabilizer to each gas tank. Avoid spill and staining. I use 1 bottle of Sta-Bil Gas Stabilizer for each 100-gal tank. Then top off tanks 90-95% full.

4. Head - Empty contents at pump out, flush with water, pump out again. Flush 1-gal antifreeze down head.

5. Water System Drain all water from the holding tank. Drain hot water heater and add one gallon to antifreeze. Bypass the water heater from the water system. You can add enough antifreeze to fill the heater tank if no bypass. Add antifreeze to water tank (qty based upon the # of sinks and accessories on the boat, I use 8-gal). Icemaker, windshield washers, and anchor wash-down, cockpit faucet, transom shower, kitchen faucet, and bathroom faucet, flush the head: until pink fluid is visible. Pour 1-gal in shower stall until the sump pump is activated and pink fluid is visible at the thru-hull fitting.

6. A/C – Requires a kit: five-gallon jug with a hose and fittings. Shut off the a/c seacock. Connect a strainer adapter. I use a Thoroflush adapter (no longer available). Perko and Graco make strainer replacements with integrated adapters. You can also purchase an additional strainer cap and have it machined for a hose fitting.

Set heat to 80-deg and run fresh water through system until visible at the thru-hull fitting. Run antifreeze though the system until pink fluid is visible at the thru-hull fitting. (3-4 Gal of antifreeze. Clean the a/c air filter(s) inside the cabin.

1. Warm-up the engine(s) and generator. With boat tied securely in slip, at idle, engage transmission(s) and run until normal operating temperature is reached (170-deg on my boat).

2. REMOVE FLUIDS. You will need an oil change pump. I use the Jabsco Porta Quick oil change unit.

   ENGINE(s)/GENERATOR: Drain engine oil through dipstick. Remove and replace the engine oil filter. Use an oil-absorbing pad below the filter and a freezer bag around the filter to catch the filter/waste. Grease new filter gasket w/oil & install hand tight + 1/4 turn. *Remove, inspect, and replace generator zinc bolt if needed.

   TRANSMISSION(s): Drain transmission fluid though dipstick.

3. ADD FLUIDS. TRANSMISSION(s): Add transmission fluid (I use 3-qt of Dexron III ATF for each).

   GENERATOR: Add oil (I use 2-qt of 10W30 oil for my 5kw Westerbeke). Remove old fuel/water separator filter. Pour fogging mixture (see below) into new separator, and install hand tight.

   ENGINE(s): Add 25W40 marine oil to each. 5.7 liter engines, use 1-gal + 2-qt each. 8.1 liter engines use 20-gal + 1-qt each. Remove old fuel/water separator filter. Pour fogging mixture (see below) into each new fuel/water separator and install hand tight

Fogging Mixture Mix the following in a gas can: ½ gallon gasoline 7 oz Quicksilver Premium Plus 2 Cycle TC-W3 Outboard Oil 1 oz Fuel Stabilizer 3 oz Fuel Injector Cleaner

RUN ENGINES/GENERATOR - With boat tied securely in slip, at idle, engage transmission(s) till gray smoke is discharged. Turn off engines and check dipstick(s) and top off levels. Including the tranmission(s). Run generator, turn off, and then top off fluid levels.

1. Flushing and Antifreeze Close the engine and generator seacock(s). Installed strainer adapter, run fresh water though system until it is discharged via the exhaust. Fill antifreeze bottle (5-gal: each engine, 4-gal: generator) and run the through each engine/generator until a steady flow of pink flows out of the exhaust.

Clean flame arrestor, crankcase ventilation hoses, and check engine mounts.

1. Bilge Clean up any oil and remove other debris in bilge. Make sure the automatic bilges are working properly and free of any objects that might block the flow of water or lock the lever in an on position. Add Antifreeze to bilge pump area until pump activates. Continue until Antifreeze is visible at the thru-hull fitting. Inspect fuel lines, tanks, hoses, and fittings for corrosion and for leaks.

2. Electrical Check & fill all batteries. Check charger and make sure it is on. Inspect bonding system for corrosion

*Take all used chemical/oil to an authorized waste facility. DO NOT put chemicals into the trash or down a drain (it’s illegal and irresponsible).