It is extremely important to winterize your boat every year. You will wish you did not fail to ignore your boat in the fall and spring comes around, if you did not winterize it.

Winterizing your engine when the temperatures fall below freezing is not that difficult, all you have to remember is to get all of the water out of the engine and gear case so when it does drop below freezing you do not develop a cracked block or housing.

It is also very important to check for corrosion in the in between seasons.

The only items you need are an aerosol can or fogging oil, fuel stabilizer (gasoline engines) or a fuel biocide (diesel engines), and a gallon or two of non toxic propylene glycol antifreeze

For outboard motors perform a freshwater flush by using a flushing attachment in a tank filled with clean water.

After that you will want to empty the fuel lines and carburetors. To do this you will want to disconnect the fuel lines from the engine while the engine is still running. This will run all of the gas out of your motor and cause it to stall. Fuel delivery components will be empty and thus stopping any gums from forming in the stagnant gas and blocking up the lines and jets or injectors.

Fog the carburetor intake before the engine dies from lack of fuel, spray fogging oil into the carburetors. This oil is an anticorrosive that protects the internal surfaces of the carburetor and cylinders while your boat is in storage. Give your carburetors a heavy shot of fogging before your engine dies.

Draining the cooling passages.

By disconnecting the flush attachment on the motor from the flush tank, while the your motor is upright, will let all of the remaining water drain out. Open drain plugs to empty the powerhead and intermediate housing. Crank the motor a few times by hand to empty the water pump. It absolutely important to get all of the water out if your boat is going to be in freezing condition.

Fog the cylinders.

By removing the spark plugs and spraying fogging oil into the holes to coat the inside of the cylinders, is not a difficult task. Then twist the fly wheel a few turns to spread the oil throughout the cylinders. Also check the plugs and regap or replace foul plugs.

Lubricate linkages and the electric start.

All visible gears and givots should be cleaned with oil or grease as stated in the owner's manual.

Drain the refill gearcase.

Use specified lubricant stated in your owner's manual, fill oil tank to prevent condensation from forming in the inside of your tanks.

Damaged paint should be touched up. Use a mist-coat powerhead with anticorrosion spry so rust does not develop.

Drain fuel tank and supply lines.

By starting your engine in the spring with old gas will cause problems. Try to make sure your tanks are close to empty before you winterize your boat.

Stabilize the fuel.

If you leave your tanks full you should pour in an appropriate amount of gasoline stabilizer to decrease the effects of clogging or gums.

Clean and lubricate propeller shaft.

Get your props serviced in the off season. Always take off the props in the off season.

Store upright. Laying the engine down risks water draining where it shouldn't. try to get a engine stand.

If you do these you will have a no problems from season to season.