deWINTERIZATION CHECKLIST

Before you begin:
___Trickle charge battery for 24 hours (repeat for additional batteries)

General work before starting motor:
___Remove duck tape over the exhaust flaps or other areas with were closed by this method.
___Tighten all sparkplugs. (if replacing plugs, WAIT till after you start the motor the first few times.)
___Check impeller and raw water intake connections
___Connect all battery(s) and grease the leads and battery posts with Di-Electric Grease ONLY.
___Re-install the drain plugs on either side of the engine block and on the back of the exhaust manifolds. Reinstall knock sensor (if applicable).
___Reinstall / Check all hoses, connectors and clamps. It’s also a good idea to check the transmission cooler screen. Make sure the tranny cooler doesn’t have debris in its screen.
___Check your Air filter / Flame arrestor. Clean if needed with an approved carburetor cleaner or plain soap and water. Dry thoroughly before you reinstall it.
___Clean/Wipe down any pooled fluids on motor and in bilge.
___Service the starter. With the battery disconnected, remove the wires from the starter. Remove the starter and inspect it for damage and rust. Rotate the gear so it climbs the shaft and lube the shaft with light grease. Let it return to its normal position and move it up a couple of times. Grease the gear, reinstall it and reconnect all wires.
___Replace Fuel/Water separator (If applicable) (port side, front of the bilge just below deck level). You may have to crimp the fuel line if there’s no anti-siphon or shut off valve on top of the tank. Also, clean carb screen by unscrewing the metal fuel line to the carb. You can soak it in clean fuel or carb cleaner.
___Install a NEW Impeller. This does a lot for piece of mind. Toss the old ones in the glove box/tool kit as a spare.
___Reinstall engine kill switch.
___Hook boat up to water cooling source.
___Toggle key to prime motor with fuel (EFI engine only)
___Warm up the engine to operating temp. Check ALL gauges including oil and voltmeter. Check for leaks in everything during warm-up period.
* If you have a closed cooling system. While engine is running and has reached regular operating temperature, carefully open the coolant reservoir and check the coolant level, top off using a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. NOTE: If coolant is other than green in color, (meaning brown or chocolate) then you need to replace the fluid. Don’t trust this brown colored fluid.
___Shut motor down and let stand for a few minutes. Check oil levels. Fill/Remove oil as needed.
___Check Transmission fluid level. Add if needed.
___Change the spark plugs. If it’s been a couple of years, it might do you good to change the plug wires, too. Before you install new spark plugs, run the motor long enough to clean out any fogging oil that was sprayed into the cylinders in the fall. The oil can foul new plugs and cause a decrease in performance.
___Look for rust spots on the engine and touch it up with high temp engine paint. (be sure to clean with acetone first)
___Spray down the engine with WD-40 as/if needed.
___With a needle, check the speedo pickups to be sure they are not blocked. Next, remove the speedo lines at the front of the boat and blow the water out of the lines. Reconnect them when you’re done.
___Check the Perfect Pass paddle wheel. Clean and lube as necessary
___Check bolts on coupler for tightness.
___Visually check/inspect all belts. Replace is necessary. If you do replace, be sure to check all pulleys for wobbles.


Trailer
___Check electrical connections and bulbs for proper operation.
___Lube/Repack bearings as needed.
___Check tires (including spare) for wear or Dry-Rot that could cause failure. *Cracking on the side wall of your trailer tire(s) should be REPLACED IMMEDIATELY!
___Check winch cable/belt for wear or chafing. Replace as needed.
___Grease Trailer hubs (be sure to use enough grease to drive out the old grease from the release hole)
___Grease Torsion axle (if applicable)
___Check Tow vehicle electrical connections and ball for wear or signs of problems.
___ Increase the tire pressure to manufactures recommended PSI rating(consult your dealer if unclear about tire pressure).



Ballast Systems:
___Reinstall all ballast bags.
___Check all pumps and hoses for proper operation and blockages.
___Check all clamps and hull fittings.
___Lube pump O-rings as needed.

Swim Platform (applies to Teak platforms only)
If you maintained your platform over the winter, you may be able to avoid these steps all together, otherwise here is a simple set of instructions for getting your platform up to speed.
1. ___Wash platform with soap/water and a hard bristle brush. Let dry completely.
2. ___Lightly sand teak wood with 150grit, then 300grit then finally with 600grit sand paper. Rinse platform to remove all dust. Let fully dry.
3. ___Apply teak oil lightly and let soak in.
4. ___Apply additional 1-2 coats every day over next 2-3 days. Apply additional coats as needed in your situation. Note: Eventually the wood will stop absorbing oil and could drip on the floor.)

Motor/Electrical:
___Wipe off excess grease from the prop shaft inside and outside of the hull (if applicable).
___Turn steering wheel left and right several times to check for smooth operation (grease rudder if needed)
___Grease steering cable if needed
___Reinstall all electronics that were removed in the fall. Add Di-electric grease if needed or spray the open connectors with a moisture-displacing lubricant to protect the contacts from the formation of corrosion.
___Check bilge pump and connections (if brave, add enough water to bilge to activate pump automatically to ensure proper operation.
___Get under dash and check electrical connections for looseness. Tighten things as needed.
___Check blower motor for proper operation and that nothing is nested in the tube or blocking the fan.
___Check all Navigation lights.
___Check wired flood lights or check batteries in any portable flashlights. Replace as needed.
___Check all interior and compartment lights for proper operation. Replace as needed.

General items:
___Is your Registration valid?
___Is your Boat Insurance valid?
___Is your Lake permit valid?
___Is your Launch Ramp permit valid?

___Check your Safety supplies. (First Aid kit, Flares, throw cushion)
___Check Anchor rope for chafing, replace as needed
___Wash and Wax boat.
___Vacuum the carpet.
___Spray seats down with vinyl protectant.
___Remove Moisture Absorber & Dehumidifier packs
___Check Fire Extinguisher is properly charged, Replace if needed.
___Canvas covers should be washed with soap/water.
___Top off gas tank as necessary.
___Tighten stuffing box – according to your manufacturers instructions
___Lubricate the trailer winch and any other moving parts on the trailer. Grease the wheel bearings.

*There are other bits of periodic maintenance that are not listed here, but should be in your Owners Manual.
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deWinterization Supply List

• __Motor Oil (Manufacturers Recommended)
Type________________Weight_____________ #of Qts: ______

• __Dexron III transmission fluid (Manufacturers Recommended).
Type________________#of Qts: ______

• __Transmission Filter
Make/Model________________________Part #:__________________

• __Set of 8 spark plugs designed for your motor.
Make/Model___________________________ Gap:_____________(GAP plugs to the proper setting)

• __Oil filter (Motorcraft, Napa Gold, Fram or comparable WIX filter).
Make/Model________________________Part #:__________________

• __Fuel/Water separator spin-on filter (If Applicable)
Make/Model________________________Part #:__________________

• __Fuel filter element (If Applicable)
Make/Model________________________Part #:__________________

• __V-Belts or Serpentine belt.
Make/Model________________________Part #:__________________

• __New Impeller with gasket
Make/Model________________________Part #:__________________

• __Multi-purpose grease.

• __Dielectric Grease (Electrical grease for batteries and electrical connections).

• __Carburetor cleaner. (CRC Type)

• __Boat Wax of choice
Type: ________________________

• __Vinyl Protectant of choice
Type: ________________________

• __Hi-Temp Engine touch-up paint
Type: ___________________________Color:________________________

• __Silicone protectant spray (2-Cans) (WD-40 or Similar)

• __Pump to extract Oil & Tranny fluid (can be used for a quicker oil extraction).

• __Teflon Tape (aka Plumber’s Tape)

• __Paraffin or Surfing wax (1 small stick)

Additional Items:
• Rubber gloves
• Rags & Lint free buffing cloth
• Buffing wheel
• Oil filter wrench
• 3/8 ratchet w/ Spark Plug Socket & 3” extension
• Spark Plug Gap tool
• Grease gun

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