Prep. for winter - boat on water with outboard

[maillme]

Hi there,

Complete newbie and amateur.

For the first year i need to keep my boat on the water (in Amsterdam).

It has a Suzuki 8hp outboard.

What can I do to keep it in best shape as possible? It's getting colder now.....

and yes, I'm late - I know

Many thanks,
Neil

 

[rlw]

I would think keep it tilted up to drain the water. Also extreme but have read that if it freezes hard the outboard is stuck in the ice and the boat freezes upwards it can tear the transom. That said not sure if amsterdam gets cold enough. No personal experience. Would also spray inside the hood with a corrosion inhibitor, drain fuel etc...

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
Not sure what kind of boat you have and with what equipment.
If it's a cruiser, you will need to winterise the domestic water system if it has any. Toilets too, if it has any. Etc etc.
If it's just the engine you are worried about, I would simply take it off and take it home. It's only an 8hp.
This being the case, you would want to run it up, then turn the fuel off and allow the engine to run itself out of petrol. This avoids any fuel going off and build up of crap in the system and carbs. Also doesn't make a mess when you transport it home in the boot of your car. Literally as soon as you lift the engine out the water, the water within he engine should drain out, avoiding any risk of freezing within.
If you are fussy, you could spray some protective lubricant down the cylinders (by taking 2 spark plugs out) to keep the bores lubed. If it's a 2 stroke, I wouldn't worry so much, but still perhaps worth doing.
As mentioned, it would help form a better and more detailed opinion, if you mention what type of boat it is and what ancillaries or services it has on her.
All the best

 

[maillme]

RLW and Qbhoy - thank you very much for your help.

Its a small "sloop" - little fibreglass boat with a canvas hood. 4.5m

So really the engine - (4 stroke).

I would take it off, but it's all wired in to the steering etc, and I'm not sure I'd manage doing all that, whilst in the water - but maybe its just a bit of patience needed....?

How do I drain the fuel? (or should I just run it dry as you say?)

thanks again!
Neil

 

[gordmac]

Does it get cold enough for the water to freeze? If not just tilt it up like you (presumably) would in the summer and get out and use it on the nice days.