I know, I know. It's a bit too early to be thinking of such things.

But I like planning ahead, so I was wondering if any of you have a winterizing checklist of some sort. This is going to be mine, off the top of my head:

(1) Top off fuel tank with gas and fuel stabilizer.

(2) Run engine and spray fogging oil in the carb.

(3) While engine is still warm, drain and refill engine oil.

(4) Take off spark plugs and either spray more fogging oil in the cylinders or squirt a few cc's of engine oil via a syringe. Replace with new plugs. (Not sure about this replacing with new plugs so early either. If I start the engine next season, won't the new plugs quickly become fouled??).

(5) Replace oil filter, fuel filter and other filters I know I'm forgetting.

(6) Open all drain plugs and empty out all water in the engine or manifolds. Leave out plugs in case of water expansion during freezing conditions, if any. (Note: The boat will be in an uninsulated garage).

(7) Drain and replace oil in outdrive.

So far, that's all I can think of. Am I forgetting anything else?

Any help or suggestions are sincerely appreciated.

(Note: This is my first boat and will winterize it for the first time).

Dude, it ain't even Labor day yet!

Cough Cough Sputter Sputter

A BIT too early...dude head to the lake!

I know. And Reno is still getting up in the 90's and even 100+ during the day.

What the hell was I thinking starting a winterizing thread?!?!?!?!

Funny you should say that. We're actually heading there this Saturday with my new 2-man tube and some friends and family.

Don't winterize - Move south

There is a Flag on the play, and yes it is a 15 yard penalty . . .

Personal Foul, using the "W" word before Labor Day.

In the Olympic spirit, I say it was more a "false start" than personal foul

Unwritten BABC rule #1 - there shall be no winterizing discussions during prime boating season. Come back in a month and this board will be quite active with good ideas.

Well we may not want to talk about it, but it has begun. I paid the deposit for winter storage on Monday...

Its still 90 degrees here as far as the eye can see but...

Clean your flame arrestor. I remove it and simply wash w/ soap and water, rinse and dry thoroughly.

Check for sludge in bottom your outdrive lube resevoir in the engine bay, especially if you use Mercruiser lube.

Grease any zerks on outdrive, spline shaft, etc.

Give your bellows a visual once over.

Drive removal to inspect and grease spline and the gimbal bearing, as well as impeller changes are items, but I don't think most do it every year...some do.

Throttle cable inspection and lube is another item.

Filling block with antifreeze

I've started to think about how to winterize my pressure fresh water system also, as well as the differences in winterizing my VP 5.7Gi over my old Merc 4.3

What?

Vodka.