One thing that probably gets overlooked quite often when winterizing a recreational boat is the “lower unit:” the bottom section of the motor that houses the drive train from the engine to the propeller. “Always check the lower unit for water,” suggests Mark Heatherly of Gator Point Marina on Douglas Lake. It’s a simple check. “Pull the drain plug. Some oil should drain. If you see any water coming out with the oil you’ll have to consider draining all the oil, replace the seals and refill the oil. Water in the lower unit could freeze during the winter.” And we all know when water freezes it expands. Ice in a lower unit could crack the lower unit-casing making the motor more useable as an anchor than what it was designed for: getting you around and having fun in the sun.
If you have a starting system or a battery onboard, you’ll need to disconnect the battery terminals and clean the contacts, the posts on the battery and the clamps. Be aware. If there’s a build up around these points treat it as corrosive. It can disintegrate clothing and burn skin and eye tissue. If you have a spot in the garage to store the battery, so much the better. In spring, check the electrolyte levels and put it on a charger (if you have one) for the required amount of time to get it back up to full charge before you get out on the water for the first time next season.
As far as the rest of the electrical system goes, the off season would make a good time to track down any shorts you may have had trouble with over the summer. This includes the trailer also.
As far as trailers go, the easiest time to work on them is when the boat is off of them. Sometimes you can work around the boat depending on the job at hand. Questions you should think of concerning the trailer could be: is there a short? does it need a coat of paint? are the welds ok? do the wheel bearings need grease? are the tires in good shape and properly inflated?
And this is not exhaustive. You know your boat. You know what it needs. The off season before the cold weather hits can be the best time to accomplish these chores and you’ll be ready for a new season of boating.
The days are getting shorter, reminding us that winter’s coming on. No one can stop it, so the best we can do is make sure we’re ready for it. The Herald Newspapers will be doing a “mini-series” of articles through the autumn months to help our readers get prepared for the cold months. If you have an idea for a story along these lines please feel free to email me.

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