How to Winterize A Boat / Mercruiser / Alpha One

How to winterize a boat. Getting your boat ready for the long winter.

Пікірлер: 66

  • @SirScottland
    @SirScottland Жыл бұрын

    Found you a couple days ago and this is the third video of yours I have watched! Now I feel like I’m ready to winterize my my boat for the first time myself! Thanks for the great videos!!

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Good luck

  • @Kalinago27
    @Kalinago27 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. New boat owner here and this particular video was very helpful.

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped

  • @samueelb1
    @samueelb1 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Chris, clear and easy to follow, thank you for sharing.

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @rileyheiman1161
    @rileyheiman1161 Жыл бұрын

    Dude, you are a rockstar! Thank you for the amazing video. 🎉

  • @wolfevickery6081
    @wolfevickery6081 Жыл бұрын

    Great Video Chris thanks for sharing.

  • @mjo8856
    @mjo885611 ай бұрын

    Replace blue plugs with metal ones. They get brittle. I had one blow out during our first trip on the water. Bilge came on. End of a day of fun. The bad part is the plastic threads stayed in and had to be drilled out. Not cheap to fix and had to wait a week to get my boat back. Get rid of the plastic or replace often.

  • @aestheticsinger
    @aestheticsinger10 ай бұрын

    Gonna give it a go for the first time this season. 2005 searay. Same motor.

  • @Xoxma1013
    @Xoxma10139 ай бұрын

    Thanks a ton, I'm from Minnesota and you know what it's mean.

  • @Rivreed1963
    @Rivreed1963 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Looks easy enough and save $$$

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Very easy. The hardest part is running the boat with stable. Otherwise it would take less than 30 mon

  • @daisy8luke
    @daisy8luke Жыл бұрын

    Great vid, bro. Saving people tons of cash !

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    I hope so

  • @gabewickert445
    @gabewickert4459 ай бұрын

    Hey Chris! Been watching as we have a new (to us) '96 Sea Ray 180 (Has the 4.3L V6) and it doesn't appear to have 5 blue plugs, but only 2, I manually drained the waterline hoses, is there typically a different amount of these from engine layout to layout?

  • @DJNelsonNunezColombia
    @DJNelsonNunezColombia Жыл бұрын

    Muchas Gracias... Great video.

  • @shueyang2229
    @shueyang2229 Жыл бұрын

    do you have a video on 2006 mercury optimax winterize?

  • @jeremymclellan1289
    @jeremymclellan128910 ай бұрын

    Good video

  • @rvglover
    @rvglover8 ай бұрын

    Do you leave the outdrive in the down position all winter after you have winterized the boat? Or can you raise it up?

  • @hunterfaison6126
    @hunterfaison6126 Жыл бұрын

    Was wondering if you could do a video of your depth/fish finder set up and how you like the set up. And if you run side or down scan would like your option on it while traveling with speed. I have a 06 tracker Tahoe and with a 4.3 mercury and trying to figure out what to use and how/where to put the transducer. Thank you in advanced

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    My boat is stored but, I couod film how I mounted it when I openthe cover next week

  • @hunterfaison6126

    @hunterfaison6126

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea that would be amazing thank you

  • @BARSSTUDIO
    @BARSSTUDIO10 ай бұрын

    I have 19ft H2O. I dont have all that room around the engine to work on as you do. I guess every boat has different engine compartment

  • @yumkieyumkie
    @yumkieyumkie Жыл бұрын

    I just picked up a 2001 180sse chaparral because of your videos!! 🙌🙌 we’ve enjoyed it a couple times on the lake already and I took my kids tubing. Is there any chance I can send you a picture of my boat and get your opinion on it?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Sure. Send photos. Chris.norum@yahoo.com

  • @adamprince2611
    @adamprince2611 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks great video. I will winterize mine tomorrow. I live in Columbus Ohio and it's supposed to be 75 so I will take it to the lake to run the fuel stable through and get one last ride. It's a 1994 350, has a 60 gallon tank and about half full right now. should I fill it up before I run it and put it a way for winter?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    It is recommended that the tank should be full ti prevent condensation getting into the tank. But, just running stable is the important

  • @keiththompson7980
    @keiththompson7980 Жыл бұрын

    Chris, What about changing oils and water/fuel separator? Do you recommend doing it when winterizing or should I wait and do them in the Spring? Also, I did both in August and only went out on the Lake a couple of times for less than a few hours total run time?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Check the oil to make sure there is no water mixed with the oil. I change my fuel water separator after I burn the first tank of gas in the spring. It doesn't hurt to do both. I do mine I. The spring. I only used my boat a couple times also.

  • @seancalleja1
    @seancalleja1 Жыл бұрын

    Chris, I have done all the same stuff as you. So far so good. However, I have dumped two gallons in that large tube and still nothing has come out of the metal tube where the large hose was connected. Was I supposed to put the drain plugs back in?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes put plugs back in. Otherwise it just drains out of those holes. Some people say just draining the block by removing the plugs is good enough .

  • @johnharrison712
    @johnharrison712 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Chris so I just did what you did on another video that contains to a 3.0L when you drain the block and the exhaust side, do you drain all the anti-freeze from the block/exhaust side or just let a littlebit out?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    If you drain the water out you don't have to drain any of the anti freeze out. It can stay in there. I've done both. Left it in a d drained it. It is a anti burst. It turns to slush

  • @bobpike6727
    @bobpike6727 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for you excellent video. I have a 1982 3.0 Mercruiser. What do you recommend if I can't find the 5 openings to drain my block in this older boat?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    You should just have two. I made a video. 3.0 drain plugs

  • @bobpike6727

    @bobpike6727

    Жыл бұрын

    @@BigIslandMNMinnetonka Thanks! I've found them both! Next flood my block and manifold with AF. Which brand of environment friendly do you use?

  • @michaelcarlo2899
    @michaelcarlo2899 Жыл бұрын

    You should do a video on how you made your canopy

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    I might this coming week

  • @davidvenne1134
    @davidvenne1134 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Chris, What are your thoughts about antifreeze that has alcohol in it? (ethanol). I have heard that alcohol causes that gaskets to dry out. Have you had or heard about any issues regarding that?

  • @ClayFick

    @ClayFick

    Жыл бұрын

    Ethanol near gaskets and o-rings is never good. My opinion would be to avoid it

  • @keiththompson7980
    @keiththompson7980 Жыл бұрын

    Do you recommend filing the gas tank before winter storage? I will be transporting the boat several hours to the Lake in the Spring and a full tank adds a lot of weight.

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    I recommend filling it with premium gas. But, I have not filled it many times and have had no issues.

  • @pasogent
    @pasogent Жыл бұрын

    Hey Chris I'm going to be winterizing my boat for the first time this year and I can't decide whether to use fogger or not. I live in dry northern California weather. Lowest temp is 25 F. I don't wanna ruin my spark plugs by fogging the carburator. But I don't want to be lazy and cheap either and risk ruining my boat engine. Any thoughts?

  • @JessieNalls-ik3mc

    @JessieNalls-ik3mc

    Жыл бұрын

    I don’t think it’s necessary.. putting new plugs in could be a good thing to tho

  • @2genders
    @2genders16 күн бұрын

    Why not empty the gear oil reservoir?

  • @davidvenne1134
    @davidvenne1134 Жыл бұрын

    Besides the 5 plugs on the engine, does water need to be drained anywhere else on the boat? I have heard some say there is a transmission cooler that has water? But I think that was for a ski boat so I am probably not comparing apples to Apples

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    If you have the same engine as mine you are good.

  • @davidvenne1134

    @davidvenne1134

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Chris. Love your videos

  • @johnharrison712
    @johnharrison712 Жыл бұрын

    Could you take a 5 Gal. Home Depot Bucket, fill it will Antifreeze, Electric Water pump, put the muffs on and Winterize it that way?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    I wouldn't recommend it. It couod work. Make sure you drain the block first. The thermostat needs to open. Which the engine gets hot and does. But, drain the block and you could do it thst way

  • @johnharrison712

    @johnharrison712

    Жыл бұрын

    @@BigIslandMNMinnetonka I have the 2007 SeaRay Sport wit the 3.0L engine is the plugs is the same on the 4.0L? If you have a email or something that I can contact you, I’m going to do it this weekend. This is my first time doing it by my self. The marina wanted $550 to do it.

  • @davidvenne1134
    @davidvenne1134 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Chris, sorry for all the questions, but why don’t you pull all four of those black hoses off and fill with antifreeze? Are they all interconnected?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Two go to the manifolds, one goes to the lower end. I try to circulat it through the motor.

  • @silverhillleesfamily3691

    @silverhillleesfamily3691

    Жыл бұрын

    I like that rag technique much easier to than taking apart all the hoses . I’m actually going to try to put a a large cork to let it recirculate - following your lead with the rag .

  • @silverhillleesfamily3691

    @silverhillleesfamily3691

    Жыл бұрын

    I order a large cork from Amazon

  • @jasonbrown4590
    @jasonbrown4590 Жыл бұрын

    Hey. What do you think about sea foam - marine pro?

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Any seafoam is better than non

  • @Jstars200
    @Jstars200 Жыл бұрын

    Dou need to run the boat after changing sterndrive oil?

  • @todosube

    @todosube

    Жыл бұрын

    No, is just seating oil there to lube

  • @egondzintars8209
    @egondzintars82099 ай бұрын

    there's no mention of changing the engine oil

  • @scottcureton6055
    @scottcureton60558 ай бұрын

    Bit overkill but, well done. Just need to check that there is no water by briefly taking out plug . Don't need additive if you use non ethanol fuel. Drain block....done.

  • @Spacesprocketz
    @Spacesprocketz Жыл бұрын

    Wow! The Marina wants to change me $200 for this LOL

  • @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    @BigIslandMNMinnetonka

    Жыл бұрын

    Normal. Time

  • @fiddynutz68
    @fiddynutz68 Жыл бұрын

    Wow that is a lot of shit to winterize a boat, long time boat owner and all i do is add some sea foam, unplug fuel pump let it die and drain water. Every boat has survived multiple -30 montana winters.

  • @njmallday

    @njmallday

    7 ай бұрын

    What do you mean let it die