Living in Florida, it is hard to think about winter even during the winter months. There is no dramatic drop in temperature, no snow fall, no changing leaves to remind us that winter is still a season in the south.

For the most part, we continue doing what we’ve been doing all year. For many Floridians, this may also include boating. After all, shrimp come into season in the Fall, Sheepshead can be found lurking around bridges and docks (which just so happen to LOVE shrimp!), and Speckled Trout can be found in clusters in cooler waters.

Whether you’re using your boat to take family and friends on hunting or fishing trips, just cruising the shoreline, or as a utility vessel to check water levels or fish stores, there will come a point where you are done with your vessel for a few months. This is what ‘winterization’ is for, though the terminology itsef seems more appropriate if you live up north.

In fact, it isn’t entirely uncommon to have snowbirds and tourists bring their personal watercraft in to our service department for winterization, to whatever extent, so that they can cover their boat and drop it off where they store it on their way back home.

Not everyone needs to perform extensive winterization, but for the longevity of your boat and outboard (especially if you regularly enjoy saltwater), these recommendations for preparing for the off season (be it during the Winter or another time) could help to mitigate future issues while ensuring that your boat and its motors are in reliable, functional condition when you’re ready to take her back out on the water. The following tips and recommendations come directly from our service technicians, professional fisherman, and through our own experience with videos to show DIY methods and tricks.

No matter the make or model of your outboard engine, wear and tear are only natural. Just like any machine, your motor will benefit from some time off from the water just as you will and the off season opens up a perfect time (particularly here in Florida!) to check in with our service department or your local dealership where you are registered for annual maintenance.

The wait times are less and most regular maintenance or repair work can be completed in significantly less time than you would have to wait during peak season for the same service.

 When you bring in your outboard for winterization or if you want to perform the task yourself, here is the basic checklist that manufacturers and technicians recommend:

• Flush the system. This is one of the big tasks that DIY winterizers don’t often think about or want to deal with. This is espeically crucial if you use your outboard on saltwater regularly or have recently to ensure the longevity of your props and other mechanical parts as saltwater inevitably will break them down, especially when allowed to sit for several months! This also provides an opportunity to pre-emptively check your engine for fuel leaks or oil leaks that can be seen as freshwater is run through the system. Inspect the fuel lines for cracks or signs of wear to prevent leaks in the future.
• Change the oil filter, top off or replace oil. Just like your car, your outboard requires oil as a lubricant to ensure all mechnaisms throughout are able to function without additional heat or friction. Changing the oil, topping it off, and replacing the filter is a maintenance task not explicitly just for winterization.
• Refresh and check all other fluids. Depending on your watercraft this may include lower unit / transmission fluid, coolant, steering fluid, and outdrive oil.
• Empty or stabilize fuel. If you have a watercraft with a built in fuel cell or fuel tank, you will want to add fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from deteriorating while your boat is in storage and potentially causing problems when you try and start her up later. The other option is to run the fuel out, but this is only viable if there is a miniscule amount left behind. If adding stabilizer, you will want to top off with new, fresh fuel before adding the chemical and running the mixture through your engine prior to storage. When you run your engine, listen closely for anything that may sound ‘off’- such as rattling or gears grinding that could signal issues in the future that could easily be looked into before placing your boat in storage.
• Protect internal engine components.  You may use a fogging spray that coats internal engine components with an anti-corrosive layer.
• Grease all moving parts. 

Think of your outboard as your boating ally. Without your engine, you will be rowing or paddling to get to where you need to be. For the amount of time it takes to go the extra mile with annual maintenance and winterization before storing your boat in off season, you could save thousands on replacement parts and labor.

St. Augustine Marina carries genuine / OEM parts, kits, trailer parts, fuses, safety equipment, boat covers and more that make winterization easy for DIYers. If you prefer to leave your watercraft in more capable hands, our service technicianss are more than happy to prep your boat and engine for the off season. No need to make an appointment, call ahead or simply bring her around back!