Dewinterizing?

[91Sunsetter]

1991 Malibu Sunsetter

I had my boat winterized back in October. Has a full tank of gas with stabilizer in it, had oil change done, batteries have been in garage all winter, and motor full of non-toxic antifreeze. What if anything do I need to do to the boat before I can use it?

[kiley]

Make sure the impeller is installed. Make sure the drain plugs are installed in the bilge. Change the fuel filter if not done during winterization. Check out the lights, make sure they all work.

I usually start the boat on the trailer and make sure all the hoses are tightened and look for leaks. Once I drop it in the water, have someone put the boat in gear and and make sure that the drip rate is about 1 every 10 seconds at the shaft packing.

Enjoy!

Edited April 19, 2011 by kiley

[WakingMeHappy]

Check with the person who winterized it and find out for sure what kind of anti-freeze he used. If you drop the boat in the water now and start it up all that anti-freeze go in the lake. Not the best thing to do.

[kiley]

He said non toxic so I assumed it is the pink RV stuff.

[91Sunsetter]

He said non toxic so I assumed it is the pink RV stuff.

Correct.

In a boating magazine it says you should drain all the gas out from sitting over winter even if it had stabilizer in it and fill with fresh gas. Thats $100+ in gas!!

[Michigan boarder]

Correct.

In a boating magazine it says you should drain all the gas out from sitting over winter even if it had stabilizer in it and fill with fresh gas. Thats $100+ in gas!!

In 20 years of boating I've never done that, and never had a problem. Not with a boat, a generator, a lawn mower, a snowmobile, a pressure washer, a weed wacker, etc. etc.

Not to worry at all. However, I would top it off with fresh fuel.