By Skip Hollis

Soon most of the Boaters will be storing their boats for the winter. Here are a few tips for storage of your Boat and Motor.

Bass Boats
First Check the lube in the gear case, you are looking for water in the lube. This will show up as a milky, thick oil, or just water if the motor has been sitting. If you have any doubt, drain and fill with fresh lube.
Second Put a fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank. This will help fuel last and help keep down condensation.
Third It is better to store with fuel tank full if it is outdoors. If stored in a basement, it is better to store with fuel tank dry.
Fourth if engine is equipped with a fuel Quick Disconnect, crank motor on hose, warm up then take fuel line loose run motor out of fuel
. Fifth After boat is placed where it is to be stored, trim motor down and cut off battery switch or take loose one battery post (positive side if possible). This will keep battery from draining over a period of months. Once every 30 or 40 days a light charge will help battery life.
Sixth Please don't think anyone's boat can't freeze. All it takes is 12 to 24 hours of below freezing weather to do damage. So take the time to winterize. This may save a lot of money.

Inboard/Outboards
The motor and stern drive must be winterized because the motor holds water in the block until drained. This is a job for a tech at a marine shop, but some people will try themselves. If you are going to try to winterize Your I.O. make sure you have the owners manual or a good shop book on your make and model and the directions to the T.
Before installing storage cover, clean boat and interior, let dry all the way, then put dressing on seats and all vinyl. After it dries, cover. This will keep down mildew and stains and keep seats soft, and threads from rotting and turning loose.

Contact Skip at Airport Marine 205-664-0407.