First year winterizing VTX w/Indmar 410

[TimD]

Hey all - I have a 2011 VTX with the Indmar 410 hp engine and am wondering if anyone can answer a couple of quick questions. I just surfed though a bunch of winterization threads. I saw a decent thread on winterizing the Monsoon 350but nothing specific to the 410.

1. Boat is stored in my garage, so freezing isn't a major concern. I'd still like to drain all of the water from the manifolds though. Is there a simple way to do this? Am I wasting my time draining the water or is it worthwhile to do this even though there is no freeze risk?

2. What is the go-to way to connect water to the intakes so I can run the boat on the trailer? I've always had I/O's and could use 'earmuffs' to get water into the intakes. That clearly isn't an option on the 'Bu.

3. My boat has the fresh water flush port on the transom. Could I pump anti-freeze through that port if I wanted to freeze protect or do I need to run the engine to make sure I get flow everywhere? I am working on the assumption that I can't run the boat with a hose connected to that port.

4. If I pump all remaining fuel out of the tank, how critical is it that I stabilize the fuel and run the motor? I normal stabilize the last tank of fuel before I pull the boat out of the water but neglected to do that this year. If it's necessary, I'll just stabilize then run the boat on the trailer before I put her up for the season. Just need to sort out the water connection question.

Thanks Crew - I sincerely appreciate the help,

Tim

[old skool malibu]

1) Very easy. There is a hose with a quick connect that runs from each manifold. Simply unscrew the hose and the water will drain out. At the same time why not pull the block plugs and drain the block?

2 and 3) Use you fresh water connect and place you antifreeze in a bucket. Connect a hose from the bucket to the intake. I purchased my bucket with the hose connection from www.bucketape.com. You need to run the motor so it will suck the antifreeze through the entire motor.

4) Use you fresh water conneciton and place Stabil in your tank. Run you boat for a few minutes.

Dont forget your shower and heater core!

Edited November 8, 2012 by old skool malibu

[TimD]

That's much easier than I thought. So just to be 100% clear (call me paranoid), "I can safely run my motor with a hose connected to the fresh water flush port"? The seemed too good to be true.

Thanks!

[Ndawg12]

You need to get the engine up to operating temp (160 degrees) before the thermostat will open and allow coolant to reach the block. If not you're just running it through the exhaust.

Yes you can run it like that, just don't put it in gear.

[old skool malibu]

That's much easier than I thought. So just to be 100% clear (call me paranoid), "I can safely run my motor with a hose connected to the fresh water flush port"? The seemed too good to be true.

Thanks!

You bet, best take a picture of it and show me if you are that concerned. The fresh water flush port should be going to a Perko Flush Pro.