What is boat Winterization and why it's necessary for better life of Boat.
The Risks of Not Winterizing Your Outboard or Sterndrive
Failing to winterize your outboard or sterndrive engine can lead to a host of problems, some of which can be extremely costly and time-consuming to fix. Here’s a closer look at the specific risks you take when you skip this important maintenance step:
Freezing Damage
Water can get trapped inside various parts of your engine, including the cooling system, lower unit, and other internal areas. When temperatures drop below freezing, this water freezes and expands. The pressure from the expanding ice can crack critical components, leading to significant damage. Here are some examples:
- Cracked Engine Blocks: Your engine block is the heart of the system. When trapped water freezes, it can cause cracks in the block. These cracks may be so severe that the engine becomes unusable and needs to be replaced, which can cost thousands of dollars.
- Damaged Cooling System: The hoses and channels in the cooling system are also vulnerable to freezing. These parts can split or burst, preventing your engine from staying cool when it runs again.
- Gear Case Seal Damage: Freezing can compromise the seals in your lower unit, allowing water to seep into the gear case. Over time, this water will mix with the lubricant, leading to corrosion and further mechanical problems.
Why It Matters: The cost of repairing or replacing these damaged parts can far exceed the simple process of draining water and adding antifreeze during winterization.
Corrosion and Rust
Engines are particularly vulnerable to rust and corrosion during periods of inactivity, especially when they are stored in humid conditions or have residual saltwater on or inside them. Here’s how corrosion can damage your engine:
- Internal Metal Components: Parts like pistons, valves, and connecting rods can seize up or wear down due to rust. Once these internal parts corrode, they can cause permanent damage, making the engine difficult or impossible to repair.
- Electrical Systems: Corrosion on electrical terminals, connectors, and wiring can lead to poor performance or complete failure of electrical components such as ignition systems.
- Gear Case Corrosion: The lower unit gears, which are critical for transferring power from the engine to the propeller, are also at risk of corrosion. Over time, this can lead to gear failure, making it impossible to drive the boat.
Why It Matters: Rust and corrosion don’t just cause damage—they spread over time. A small issue left unchecked during winter storage can turn into a major problem that requires significant repairs.
Fuel Degradation
Fuel left in your tank or system over the winter can degrade and cause serious issues when it’s time to start your engine again. This is especially true for fuel that contains ethanol, as it absorbs water from the air. Here are the common problems caused by untreated fuel:
- Gum and Varnish Build-Up: As fuel sits unused, it can thicken and form deposits that clog fuel injectors, carburetors, and fuel lines. These blockages make it harder for the engine to start and run properly.
- Phase Separation: Ethanol-blended fuel absorbs water over time, which can separate from the gasoline and settle at the bottom of your fuel tank. When the engine draws in this water-laden fuel, it can cause poor performance, engine misfires, or damage to the fuel system.
- Fuel Tank Corrosion: Water in the fuel tank can lead to rust inside the tank, further contaminating the fuel system.
Why It Matters: Cleaning or repairing a clogged fuel system can be expensive and time-consuming. Adding a fuel stabilizer during winterization prevents these issues entirely.
Costly Repairs
The financial impact of skipping winterization can be enormous. Repairs caused by freezing, corrosion, or degraded fuel can quickly add up. For example:
- Cracked Engine Block: Repairing or replacing a cracked engine block can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the severity of the damage.
- Lower Unit Rebuild: Fixing a damaged lower unit can cost several thousand dollars, especially if gears or seals need to be replaced.
- Fuel System Cleaning: Flushing and repairing a fuel system clogged by old fuel or deposits can cost hundreds of dollars in parts and labor.
Why It Matters: These avoidable repair costs make the relatively low cost of winterizing your engine seem like a no-brainer.
Decreased Engine Lifespan
Engines that aren’t properly winterized are exposed to a variety of harmful conditions that shorten their lifespan. Over time, repeated exposure to freezing, rust, and fuel-related issues will cause more frequent breakdowns and reduce overall performance.
- More Frequent Repairs: Without winterization, you’ll likely experience more wear and tear, leading to regular and costly maintenance.
- Reduced Efficiency: A poorly maintained engine will use more fuel and deliver less power, impacting your boating experience.
Why It Matters: A properly winterized engine can last for many years, providing reliable performance and saving you money in the long run.
Downtime During Boating Season
One of the most frustrating consequences of neglecting winterization is discovering engine problems just as the boating season starts. Instead of hitting the water, you might find yourself stuck in a repair shop waiting for parts or dealing with delays.
- Unplanned Repairs: These often happen at the worst possible time, such as the start of summer when demand for repair services is high.
- Lost Boating Days: The time spent fixing issues could have been spent enjoying your boat.
Why It Matters: A little effort before winter ensures that your boat is ready to go as soon as the weather warms up.
Conclusion: Why Risk It?
Skipping winterization might save a little time or money upfront, but the potential risks far outweigh the convenience. From freezing damage and corrosion to costly repairs and shortened engine life, the consequences can be significant. Taking the time to winterize your outboard or sterndrive is a small investment that pays off by keeping your engine in top shape and avoiding unnecessary stress when the boating season returns.
Cooler Days on the Lake :
When temperatures takes a dip and it feels like falling outside. Enjoying cooler temperatures out on the water should be very tempting right now. Traffic on the lake also decreases that makes you feel like you have the lake to yourself. While it may be a little chilly for water skiing and tubing, it’s a delightful time for a nice drive on the lake or even spending 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 will need to be completed before the first hard freeze. So, boaters have a choice of taking their boat in to have it winterized by certified mechanics or performing the task on their own. 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.
For the DIY boat mechanic, preparation is key in winterizing your boat. There are specific boat winterizing supplies for outboard or sterndrive motors. 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 a tiny bit 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.
Outboard – 2 Stroke
Gear Lube
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Winterize Kit with Tank, Cap and Hose
Outboard – 4 Stroke
Anti-freeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube
Winterize Kit with Tank, Cap and Hose
Sterndrive:
Antifreeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube
Winterize Kit with Tank, Cap and Hose
Stock up on all the winterization essentials you need, including engine oil, fuel stabilizer, antifreeze, and winterizing kits at US Boatworks. Find everything in one convenient place! Call ahead or come on down.
