www.iFourWinns.com

Just enjoyed one of the best weekends we'll ever see in Ohio on the water! The colors were stunning and the air temp was unmatched. I pulled the boat on Sunday though and began winterizing. I own an Airstream trailer so I'm pretty familiar with the winterization process with regards to the plumbing, drains, etc. but I'm not familiar with how to winterize the bilge pumps. I suppose if I just fill the bilge with 50 gallons of anit-freeze my problem would be solved but I don't have $200 extra dollars lying around Any advice on this and any other winterization considerations would be hugely appreciated. Thanks all!!

P.S. I'll let a REAL mechanic winterize the engine

_________________
Fun2bethad
1999 F.W. 238 Vista
"Don't Panic!" (upside down of course)

Take your plug out and lift the bow up using the trailers jack. Thats it!! Some hoses have a loop (anti-siphon) in it, just lower the loop to get the water out.

I have never "winterized" the bilge pump, no water in it, cant freeze.

As for the motor, very easy. Follow the long term storage procedure in your owners manual. It really consists of pulling a couple hoses and plugs on the block and exhaust manifolds, drain the water and done.
But for some, paying someone to do the job is peace of mind, and nothing wrong with than either.

_________________
2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

If you're out of the water and the boat is completely covered then there's not a lot required. Just make sure the line from the pump is empty. Or if you're not certain just run a bit of pink through the pump. That way you'll know if there's anything left in there it'd be the antifreeze.

But when a boat remains in the water the pump may need to continue to operate. If it's covered there's little likelihood of rainwater getting into it. But leaks can happen and working pumps is important. So there is the remote possibility of water getting in during a warm spell, only to refreeze later. But over the past few years of keeping the boat in the water I've not had any problems like this. That said, I make sure to double-check that things didn't freeze and break when doing spring recommissioning.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Just to add, leave the plug out and have the boat tilted back a little. (This is on land of course) If rain water gets in, it will run out though the open plug. I have heard stories were the plug was left in and the batteries were out for the winter and the boat filled up with water.