Worried about boat engine damage due to freezing temperatures, corrosion or the growth of mold or mildew over the winter months? Should temperatures drop to chilly levels, winterizing your boat plays a vital role in protecting it against all the havoc cold weather can wreak.

The specifics for winterizing your boat can depend on its model and whether or not you run an inboard or outboard, however, winterizing a boat generally includes the following for your boat engine…

Draining the manifold, block, coolers and circulating pump; adding antifreeze; adding gas stabilizer, then running the engine; flushing the cooling system; greasing your gimbals (Check gimbal bearings while you’re at it.), u-joints and coupler splines. Replace oil and fuel filters; clean fuel screens; lube throttle cable and linkages; change gear lube and oil; treat your engine with anti-corrosion and your electrical system with moisture repellent. It’s a good idea to check everything too, from your wiring, to your belts and hoses.

You’ll also want to remove your drain plugs and drain and antifreeze your plumbing, as well as power wash your hull, removing any debris or barnacles from shafts, props, struts, rudders and trim tabs. Then properly cover your boat…and – as they say – that’s a wrap!

The good news is that we often experience mild winters here in Florida, so you may decide that winterizing your boat isn’t necessary because you plan to use it year-round.  However, if you prefer the warmer months for boating, you’d rather be safe than sorry or if the forecasters are calling for a cooler winter than usual, by all means have at it; and the exceptional service team at Gerry’s Marina would be pleased to help.