Winter Boat Storage: Starting The Engine Regularly?

Winterizing a boat is the procedure completed for preparing a boat for long-term storage. This is especially important if you live in a cold climate where the lake is likely to be covered by ice. Water trapped in an engine block, water tank, or other on-board plumbing can cause significant and expensive damage if left to freeze. Even if you don't need to winterize your boat, you should still perform regular maintenance, either annually or every 100 hours. This includes changing the engine oil and oil filter, checking or changing the gearcase lubricant in an outboard or sterndrive, changing fuel filters or spark plugs, and testing the batteries.

Winterising a boat with a diesel engine

Winterising your boat's diesel engine is a crucial step to prevent damage during the winter months. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Treat the Diesel Fuel

Diesel fuel, especially newer bio-diesel and low-sulphur variants, can become stale and prone to bacterial and fungal growth during storage. This can lead to sludge and sediment buildup, causing issues such as clogged filters and engine damage. To prevent this, fill your tank with fresh fuel and add a high-quality diesel additive. Install new primary and secondary fuel filters, then bleed the fuel lines to remove any air pockets.

Change Engine Oil and Filter

Used diesel engine oil can contain acids and contaminants that can corrode metals over the winter. Change the oil after running the engine for a few minutes to warm it up. If the boat is out of the water, ensure you supply cooling water to the engine during this process. Drain or pump out the old oil, replace the oil filter, and fill the crankcase with fresh oil according to the manufacturer's specifications. It is also recommended to change the transmission oil at this time.

Ensure Proper Drainage

Open all drain plugs to purge the raw-water cooling systems. Refer to your boat's manuals to locate the plugs, as they vary by manufacturer. Use a stiff wire to clear any sediment from the drains. Turn over each engine (without starting) to clear water from the pumps. If your boat remains in the water during winter, you can drain the systems by closing the seacocks, removing inlet hoses and intake-pump covers, and opening all drain plugs. After clearing and flushing the raw-water systems, replace all drain plugs.

Prevent Freeze Damage and Corrosion

To avoid freeze damage and corrosion, circulate rust-inhibiting propylene-glycol antifreeze through the engine and cooling systems. Run each engine until the solution exits the exhaust, displacing any standing water and coating internal components with a corrosion inhibitor. This will also distribute the fresh oil you added earlier throughout the engine and transmission, providing further protection against internal rust during storage.

Inspect and Service Key Components

Now is a good time to inspect and service various components, including zincs, belts, electrical connections, O-rings on fuel fillers, motor mounts, and physical connections at the transom and exhaust outlets. Replace or repair any worn or suspect parts to reduce your workload in the spring.

Seal Engine Openings

Seal the exhaust outlets and air filters on the engine with heavy plastic and duct tape. This prevents moist air from entering the combustion chambers and other sensitive areas during storage, reducing the risk of corrosion and engine damage.

Starting the Engine During Winter:

There are varying opinions on whether to start a diesel engine during the winter storage period. Some people choose to start their engines once a month or every few weeks to circulate fluids, drive out condensation, and keep components lubricated. However, others argue that if the boat has been properly winterised, there is no need to start the engine until spring. Starting the engine during winter may require additional measures to prevent moisture buildup and engine damage. Consult your boat's manual and seek advice from experts or mechanics to make an informed decision.

Winterising a boat with an outboard engine

Step 1: Check your engine service manual

Firstly, check your engine owner's manual or service manual for any special winterising, flushing, and maintenance instructions. It is important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 2: Change the engine oil and oil filter

Change the oil and oil filter to prevent residual moisture or contaminants from corroding your engine while in storage. Start by running the engine for a few minutes to lower the viscosity of the oil and allow it to pick up any impurities. Once the engine is turned off, change the oil and replace the oil filter. After replacing the filter, start the engine again and let it run for about a minute to circulate the fresh oil to the internal parts.

Step 3: Flush the engine

The engine should be flushed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Run the engine for about ten minutes and use a flush-muff device to deliver cooling water before draining. Some newer outboard engines have a garden hose fitting that allows for a quick flush without having to start the engine.

Step 4: Fill the gas tank and use fuel stabiliser

Fill your gas tank to 95% full and add a fuel stabiliser before winter storage. Read the instructions on the fuel stabiliser and add the correct amount to your gas tank. This will prevent the gasoline from oxidising and leaving varnish-like deposits.

Step 5: Fog the engine with lubricant

After treating the fuel and running the engine for a few minutes, fog the engine with a storage lubricant. This will protect the internal bearings, seals, and rotating surfaces by keeping corrosion at bay. When the engine is running, inject fogging oil through the carburetors or electronic fuel injection system air intakes to flood the engine with oil. Continue fogging until the engine stalls.

Step 6: Store the engine in the trimmed-down position

Store your outboard engine in the trimmed-down (running) position. Outboards are designed to drain all water from their cooling systems in this position. You may also want to cover your engine with a vented canvas cowling storage cover.

Optional: Start your engine during winter

Some people choose to start their engines every few weeks during the winter to keep things running and prevent issues from developing. However, others disagree with this method, stating that it is unnecessary and may cause more harm than good. If you do decide to start your engine during winter, make sure it is fully heated and run for at least 10-20 minutes.

Additional Winterising Tips:

• Grease all lubrication points and apply a corrosion barrier.
• Check and maintain the battery.
• Touch up any nicks or scratches with paint.
• Check the power trim fluid and sacrificial anodes.
• Drain and replace the gear lube if there is water present.
• Check the prop shaft for fishing line and damage.
• Prepare the fuel system by treating fuel with a marine fuel stabiliser.

How to prevent engine damage during winter

Winterizing your boat is crucial, especially if you live in a cold climate where the lake freezes over during winter. Winterizing your boat's engine is necessary to prevent water from freezing inside the engine block, which can cause significant and costly damage. Here are some detailed instructions to prevent engine damage during winter:

Change Engine Oil and Filter

Before storing your boat for the winter, it is essential to change the engine oil and replace the oil filter. This will remove any contaminants and ensure that your engine has clean oil when you take your boat out of storage.

Check and Change Gearcase Lubricant

If your boat has an outboard or sterndrive engine, it is important to check and possibly change the gearcase lubricant. This will ensure that the gears and moving parts in the engine remain well-lubricated and protected during the cold winter months.

Change Fuel Filters and Spark Plugs

It is recommended to change the fuel filters and spark plugs as part of your winterization process. This will help ensure that your engine runs smoothly when you take your boat out of storage and can prevent fuel-related issues.

Test and Maintain Batteries

Testing and maintaining your boat's batteries is crucial. Make sure to remove the batteries from your boat and store them in a warm, dry place. Clean the battery terminals and cable ends, and consider using a battery maintainer or solar panel to keep them charged during the winter.

Treat Fuel with Stabilizer

Treating the fuel in your boat's fuel tank and engine is essential for winterization. Adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank will help prevent fuel degradation and ensure that your engine starts and runs smoothly when you take your boat out of storage.

Drain Water from Engine and Systems

It is crucial to drain all water from your engine and other systems, such as the water tank and plumbing, to prevent freezing and potential damage. You can use antifreeze to displace water in these systems, ensuring that they are protected from freezing temperatures.

Use Heated Storage or a Space Heater

If possible, store your boat in a heated storage facility during the winter. This will help maintain a consistent temperature and reduce the risk of freezing. If heated storage is not available, consider using a small space heater in the engine compartment to prevent freezing. Ensure that the heater is purpose-built for this application and will not pose a fire hazard.

Cover and Inspect Your Boat Regularly

Cover your boat with a breathable cover or shrink wrap to protect it from the elements during storage. Regularly inspect your boat during the winter to ensure that the cover remains intact and no leaks or damage has occurred. This will help prevent moisture buildup and potential mould or mildew issues.

Exercise Seacocks and Steering Systems

Before storing your boat, exercise the seacocks to ensure they are functioning properly. Also, check and lubricate the steering systems, including the shifting cables, to prevent corrosion and maintain their operability.

Consider Running the Engine Occasionally

Some boat owners choose to run their engines occasionally during the winter to keep things lubricated and prevent condensation buildup. If you decide to do this, ensure that you run the engine long enough to reach operating temperature and fully heat the engine block. However, this is not mandatory, and many boat owners prefer to leave their engines untouched during winter storage.

How often to start a boat engine during winter

Winterizing a boat is the procedure completed for preparing a boat for long-term storage. This is especially important if you live in a cold climate where the lake is likely to be covered by ice. If left to freeze, water trapped in an engine block, water tank or other on-board plumbing can cause significant and very expensive damage.

Even if you live in a more temperate climate, there are still some good reasons to follow the procedure for long-term storage. For example, the year you don’t winterize your boat could be the year you get an unexpected cold snap.

If you have a self-draining outboard, jet boat or personal watercraft (PWC), it may be fine to take advantage of any nice weather during the winter. Just be sure to return the boat to its long-term storage state—fuel treated, engine drained, battery maintained—after your warm-weather fling.

If your boat has a sterndrive or inboard engine that has been treated with anti-freeze, and there’s a chance of more freezing weather, you’ll need to have the engine winterized again if you launch the boat.

If you intend to use the boat regularly there are alternative solutions depending on your circumstances. For example, if you have shore power, a heater such as an Xtreme heater in your engine bay would keep your system from freezing up.

• Change the engine oil and oil filter
• Check or change the gearcase lubricant in an outboard or sterndrive
• Change fuel filters or spark plugs
• Test the batteries
• Treat the fuel in the boat’s fuel tank and in the engine
• Drain the water systems and engines and displace any water with antifreeze

Some boat owners recommend running the engines every 3-4 weeks for 10-20 minutes and putting them in and out of gear a couple of times in both forward and reverse to circulate "fresh" oil, coolant and raw water through everything, drive out any condensation and keep everything moving. However, others argue that there is no real case for doing so and that there are some reasons not to, e.g. cold starts and engine wear.

How to prepare a boat for winter

Winterizing a boat is the process of preparing a boat for long-term storage. It is almost mandatory to winterize a boat if you live in a cold climate where the lake is expected to be covered by ice. If left to freeze, water trapped in the engine block can cause significant and expensive damage. Even if you live in a more temperate climate, there are still good reasons to winterize your boat. Here are some tips on how to prepare your boat for winter:

• Change the engine oil and oil filter.
• Check or change the gearcase lubricant in an outboard or sterndrive.
• Change fuel filters or spark plugs.
• Test the batteries.
• Perform any other maintenance specified by the manufacturer, such as checking and replacing zincs.
• Treat the fuel in the boat's fuel tank and engine to prevent water absorption.
• If your boat has a sterndrive or inboard engine, consider using anti-freeze to prevent freezing.
• If you have water systems on board, introduce antifreeze and flush them out prior to connecting the pump and flushing the water lines.
• Clean and service the battery, removing and charging it for the winter season if necessary.
• Lubricate shifting cables and steering systems.
• Use shrink wrap or a boat cover with large vents to prevent mould from forming inside.
• Exercise all seacocks.
• If your boat has a self-draining outboard, jet boat, or personal watercraft (PWC), you may be able to take advantage of nice weather during the winter, but be sure to return the boat to its long-term storage state afterward.

Frequently asked questions