Winterizing vs. Winter Fishing

[mybentrod]

OK....so I keep reading about folks fishing in the Winter and was curious HOW DO THEY DO THAT without ruining their engine? I mean so many people fish in December and January, so without winterizing or even storing your boat in a heated garage....how does someone do this with a normal Mercury outboard. Is it a partial Winterize, or do they just winterize every time they get off the water?

[Grumpy]

I have had my boat for nine years (G-3 Aluminum w/40 HP Yamaha) and I have never winterized it--not once. However, from the first of October until after Derby Day, I always make sure all the water is drained out of the engine when I come off the lake and after I get home I lower the engine so that rain, etc. does not collect in prop well. I also try to get out at least once a month and run the engine AND FISH IF POSSIBLE.

That's my system.

Grumpy

[newriver]

I have had my boat for nine years (G-3 Aluminum w/40 HP Yamaha) and I have never winterized it--not once. However, from the first of October until after Derby Day, I always make sure all the water is drained out of the engine when I come off the lake and after I get home I lower the engine so that rain, etc. does not collect in prop well. I also try to get out at least once a month and run the engine AND FISH IF POSSIBLE.

That's my system.

Grumpy

Thats how I do it. I had a merc 115 one time and never winterized it. Heck winter is when I start fishing now and put the boat to bed in may after the buckeyes and pleasure boaters come out.

[Shimano4Life]

Like someone said before, always trim your motor down when you park it after your trip. This keeps water out of the lower unit and drains it from the water pump. If you forget to do this, the water will freeze, causing the seals in your lower unit to rupture. Hello new lower unit $$$$.

Also, put fuel stabilizer in your fuel before you go out and run it. When you put it in your fuel tank before your trip, the travel (sloshing around) will allow it to mix with the fuel properly. Gasoline these days contains ethanol. When ethanol and gasoline mixture is stored, moisture is created and you now have water in your fuel tank if it is stored over a period of time. If you start your motor, there will then be water in your fuel system (very expensive to fix). Your fuel is fine after you put the stabilizer in. Use CRC Fuel Stabilizer or Sta-Bil Marine Fuel Stabilizer. Also, if you run the motor with the fuel stabilizer in it, it will essentially "fog" the injectors and keep them clean from any corrosion.

If your motor is a two-stroke, look into some fogging oil if you plan on storing the boat for a while.

Just remember to raise your motor back up before you plan on hooking it to the trailer and taking it on another trip!

[Gethenet]

I've heard lots of people go through complicated processes to winterize. Myself, I have it broken down into 2 major steps.

Step #1 Take out the sunscreen.
Step # 2 Put in a pair of gloves.

Its that simple. If I can do it anybody can.

Good fishing and keep that ice off your guides!

Gethenet

[MagikSmallie]

I have never winterized either, i just make sure when I get home lower the motor so the water drians out...just like everyone has already said!

[JUSTINHALL]

I do the same as everyone else and drain the water from the engine. I fish all winter long at least once a week and some times twice cold or not. As long as when you pull out of the water you lower the engine and leave it sit until all the water has drained before you raise it up. When its really cold out, after I leave it drain I fire the engine up for 1-2 seconds to blow any more water out of the inner impeller incase its trapping any water. I have never had a problem with it freezing. The longer you leave it sit the more important winterizing, stabil and fogging comes in to play. If you use the boat reguraly though its not needed, cheap insurance, I personally dont use it.

[troutcrazy]

Same here...I have pulled the plug on the lower unit and drained the water so it doesn't freeze and bust, but I fish more in the winter than I do in the summer...the rivers and lakes are all mine.

[mybentrod]

Well thats a relief. I thought I had to do the whole anti-freeze thing each time I wanted to give them Smallies hell. Thanks for the insight GENTS.

[cumberlandguy1]

Same here....just make sure you let the water drain before you tow home when it is cold. Fished last year and the temp was 15 degrees when I put the boat in.

[Tyme2fish]

In addition to lowering your motor, have the bow raised and your drain plug and live wells open. You don't want water there to be able to freeze.

A big plus is if you stow your rig indoors.

The secret is to have NO WATER anywhere in the boat,drain hoses, or motor.

[canuto17]

I fish alot in the winter also, besides making sure you drain your motor, i change my lower unit oil every year also. One other thing i always make sure i put my plug in before i leave out, cause i have gotten there and couldn't get my plug in cause of ice in the threads of the plug hole.

JD