Spring start up on boat

[turkeyfeather]

Ok all.....
We bought our first (used) boat last summer. Had it winterized by the dealer. Do we need to do anything special before taking it out for the first time this spring?

[fishngamereaper]

Inboard.
Inboard/ outboard.
Outboard.

Do know what they did to "winterize". Means different things based on application and who you talk to.
Maybe call the dealer.

[pianoman9701]

@Kc_Kracker

[fishngamereaper]

If it's an outboard they probably changed fluids, fuel filters and drained some fuel from the carb/ lines.
If that's the case...
Prime the fuel line bulb and turn the key..

[Crunchy]

If it's an outboard they probably changed fluids, fuel filters and drained some fuel from the carb/ lines.
If that's the case...
Prime the fuel line bulb and turn the key..

I would never winterize unless I stored my boat outdoors.  Mine sits in the garage all winter.  I take it out in the spring and she fires right up.  Picked up a new boat this winter that will get the same treatment.  I do oil and filters in the spring.

[fishngamereaper]

If it's an outboard they probably changed fluids, fuel filters and drained some fuel from the carb/ lines.
If that's the case...
Prime the fuel line bulb and turn the key..

I would never winterize unless I stored my boat outdoors.  Mine sits in the garage all winter.  I take it out in the spring and she fires right up.  Picked up a new boat this winter that will get the same treatment.  I do oil and filters in the spring.

Oh I know...I do the same ..I'm just speculating based on what dealers/ marine tech's would do if you asked them to winterize an outboard.

[CP]

Charge the battery, reconnect if it has been disconnected.  Prime the fuel system, connect a water hose.  Start her up.

[Brotherman]

Crunchy,
You should change the oil and filter before storing the boat for the winter. Carbon and acids that are stored in the oil starts to slowly eat away at internal engine parts. The same goes for the lower unit. If you some how got water in there because of a failed seal, the water separates out and starts rusting bearings and gears. Having been a factory Rep and Tech for over 30 years, I would prefer to find a problem before I put it to bed, rather than the day you want to go fishing.  Just my two  worth.

[Kc_Kracker]

Piano Man tagged me because I'm an outboard tech if you want feel free to give me a pm

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[Fastass350]

Inboard.
Inboard/ outboard.
Outboard.

Do know what they did to "winterize". Means different things based on application and who you talk to.
Maybe call the dealer.

This. Everyone has a different idea of winterizing. If it’s and I/O they likely pulled plugs to drain all the raw water, some shops put them back in some don’t, that could be your biggest issue. When I worked at a boat shop long ago we would de-winterize them for no charge.

[turkeyfeather]

Sorry.....should of been more specific. It's a 4.3l merc I/O. Was stored outside.

[hooves4me]

Any idea when water pump was last changed?

[b23]

Sorry.....should of been more specific. It's a 4.3l merc I/O. Was stored outside.

Not sure if you have a open or closed system but they likely drained the block, exhaust manifolds, lines, power steering cooler then put the drain plugs back in and reconnected the lines.  That's how I always did mine so I wouldn't forget from fall till spring.  If you can hook it up to a garden hose and run it from home before you take it out on the water that'll help and you'll know if everything is put back in place and tight.

[Kc_Kracker]

Sorry.....should of been more specific. It's a 4.3l merc I/O. Was stored outside.

Some of this is going to depend on what was done to winterize it but usually it's recommended that you flush your fuel system out pump out any old gas and replace it put your block plugs back in put coolant in it and you should change the impeller on your outdrive. And depending on when it was done last generally oil change and fuel filter or fuel water separator filter are also in order.

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[turkeyfeather]

Ugh.....sounds like I'm gonna need to find someone to do this stuff. I know nothing about any of this.

[Kc_Kracker]

Where are you located

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[turkeyfeather]

Where are you located

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Spokane

[pianoman9701]

Ugh.....sounds like I'm gonna need to find someone to do this stuff. I know nothing about any of this.

YouTube is your friend. You can do most of this stuff on your own.

[turkeyfeather]

Ugh.....sounds like I'm gonna need to find someone to do this stuff. I know nothing about any of this.

YouTube is your friend. You can do most of this stuff on your own.

Really? Hmmm.....Ibwill look into that then. I hate paying people if I can don't myself.

[Ridgeratt]

Please make sure it will start and run before you get to the launch and are backed into the water.

[Chesterdog]

get a grease gun and squirt marine grease into all the zerk fittings.  There should be a few locations on the motor for tilt and more on the steering lines if you have console steering.  It will save you headaches.   

I launched yesterday for the first time in 7 months and my steering lines were all rusted up internally so I had no steering.  (ended up using my bow mount minnkota as a rudder to steer.)  Throttle cables can go bad too.  Shift the throttle lever in and out of gear once or twice while out of the water to make sure everything moves and shifts.  I duck hunt and fish in the winter and when the lines go bad they let water in and freeze up.

[Fastass350]

I could swing by on one of my trips through and walk you through it. If you have a water hose and the ear muffs to run it I can show you what to do just to make sure it runs, or help you through an oil change or whatever. Just cost some beer money…cheap beer too!

[MADMAX]

Back in the day when I had an in and out
To winterize
New fuel water separator
Loosen heat exchanger end caps
Fresh antifreeze and engine oil
Lower unit grease
Grease hubs and all zirks
Sea foam in fuel
Out drive down to drain
Battery tender on

Spring
Heat exchanger end caps back on
Water Muffs on out drive
Start up
Walk around
Pull your motor cover and look for leaks
Top off any fluids

[Kc_Kracker]

I had you and the misses on FB but lost you sometime ago.

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[turkeyfeather]

I could swing by on one of my trips through and walk you through it. If you have a water hose and the ear muffs to run it I can show you what to do just to make sure it runs, or help you through an oil change or whatever. Just cost some beer money…cheap beer too!

That would be awesome........I'll PM ya

[turkeyfeather]

Big shout out to FASTASS350. He stopped by today on his way back from Idaho to the Westside to help show me what to do. Your a solid dude Chris....hope our paths cross again.

[Fastass350]

Big shout out to FASTASS350. He stopped by today on his way back from Idaho to the Westside to help show me what to do. Your a solid dude Chris....hope our paths cross again.

Was my pleasure, always glad to help someone out