Boat Storage

Dennis.t

Active Member
It is the end of the season for me, in reality the fishing season on the chuck never got started. Lol. The tubing on Cultas Lake mind u was outstanding. Questions for you experts. What does one do to winterize their boats? I have probally a 1/2 tank of fuel in my built in pernamant tank. Do I need to throw in a gas stabilizer for the winter months so the gas stays proper for next yrs use? And what other things must be done to the big outboard (Evinrude 140hp) for the winter months? Thanx guys
 
I would fill your fuel tank right up and add stabilizer, change gear oil in leg and fog the engine. You tube has tons of vids on fogging outboards.
 
Stabil, red stuff. As mentioned drain leg oil, very important, check for water then refill. Been told it is not vital to fog outboards. Probably doesn't hurt.
I don't know any reputable outboard mechanic who has ever told me not to fog my engine when sitting for a long period of time. Only talking about 4 strokes-obviously 2 strokes can be made to fog themselves.
 
What is fogging?

Fogging is where you run the engine with muffs , and the hood and intake cover off. Have a spray bottle with a gas mix of around 25-1. When the engine is up to temp at a high idle spray into the carbs or throttle bodies the mixture until the engine stalls.
 
Good point,Sr SQ. If your gas has ethanol in it you can put in additives like Stabil Marine,which is blue in color (not red)
and it both stabilizes and protects against phase separation.Star Tron is another brand of ethanol treatment,but it's
only for ethanol treatment,so you would also have to add a fuel stabilizer like the red Stabil as well.This is what I do,as well as fogging and haven't had any fuel or starting issues since.
 
I've never fogged my outboard and never had a problem. I'm also in the habit of changing oil in the spring. I do recommend stabilizer but don't worry about the ethanol.

I do run my boat a few times over the winter maybe 4-6 trips between end of sep and mid may. Recommend pulling the fuel line from your kicker and starving it of gas before you put it away (or drain the carb).

I'm doing a few things most will say do differently but its worked for 4 seasons to date.
 
Add the stabil and run the engine on muffs for 15 minutes. Drain and refill the leg oil. Pull the prop, remove any fishing line, clean and grease prop shaft. Clean and grease steering at the motor. Remove battery and store in dry location. Charge battery every two months or leave on a trickle charger. Remove bilge plug from boat.
 
Add the stabil and run the engine on muffs for 15 minutes. Drain and refill the leg oil. Pull the prop, remove any fishing line, clean and grease prop shaft. Clean and grease steering at the motor. Remove battery and store in dry location. Charge battery every two months or leave on a trickle charger. Remove bilge plug from boat.
Should I be running the main outboard out of fuel?
 
Just my 2 cents and I'm not a mechanic by any means but I always run any outboard out of fuel when storing. I believe yours is an oil injected 2 stroke? I run my Mexican stored 40 Suzuki out of fuel and because it is oil injected I believe this is good for fogging the cylinders with oil. Never had a problem!
 
Just my 2 cents and I'm not a mechanic by any means but I always run any outboard out of fuel when storing. I believe yours is an oil injected 2 stroke? I run my Mexican stored 40 Suzuki out of fuel and because it is oil injected I believe this is good for fogging the cylinders with oil. Never had a problem!
Yes a 2 stroke but not oil injected cause the previous owner removed it due to its failure resulting in a fried head. He replaced the head and got rid of the oil injection system. I premix my premium gas bought at the gas station with a 50-1 two stroke outboard oil.
 
Read your manuals on storage long term.
I always fog, change gear oils and oil, stabilize and never run the engines until may again....No problems. I also use factory recommended product, not CRAPPY TIRE, but that's me..... Maybe just avoid it all and fish all winter long lol. O ya I usually wax the boat before winter and give every thing a major lub
I gotta stop, getting depressed thinking about it lol
Gotta go fishing!!!!
 
OK Dennis-run it out of fuel-buy an aerosol can of fogging oil-pull all your plugs squirt the oil in each cylinder as per directions on the can. put your plugs back in-turn over the motor either by hand or on the starter-don't let it fire. that's it. It will smoke a lot next spring for a minute or so.
 
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