unwinterizing my boat
 

Hey everyone,

Typically I would just throw my boat in the water start it up and hope it runs and everything works. But i didn't use my boat at all last year because i was deployed to iraq so it hasn't been used since October 2008. it was professionally winterized as well as the ballast and heater were done by a local mastercraft dealer. Is there anything special i need to do because of how long it sat or just drop it in the water and go. i have 2 new optima batteries for it so it shouldn't have a battery issue when i do just wondering if anyone has any advise on it.

Also bought an 05 dodge while i was deployed to tow it with and need to get a hitch does anyone no if i need a drop hitch and how much of a drop i need. the truck is at stock hight.

Thanks,

the boats a 2004 mastercarft X-Star if that is needed to be known not sure

De-winterizing
 

Hook your boat up to the hose. Make sure that the main water valve is on and allowing water to flow through the engine. Run it for a few min. while checkling engine temp. Empty out anti freeze out of the ballast tanks. If boat is running smoothly on hose you are good to go!!!

Ride on...

First of all, THANKS for your service in the sand box! Good to have ya back in one piece.

There are a number of threads here talking about unwinterizing a boat. It really depends on what your dealer did to it in the first place. You may have a bag of parts that need to be reinstalled? ie; knock sensor, drain plugs, etc. Some guys leave the hoses loose, ie; like around the thermostat, heater & shower? Some leave the impeller out? Some disconnect the batteries?

Like Lee said, probably a good idea to hook it up in the driveway first. Then drag it to the ramp.

how much fuel do you have in the tank?. regular dosing of fuel stabilizer lasts 12 months. I would consider replacing the tank with some fresh fuel.

Please remember to try not to run your antifreeze out into the lake or the storm drain. Auto shops should accept used antifreeze. I put a bucket under my exhaust to catch the first few gallons when we run the hose/fake a lake in the driveway. Its a little easier with my fresh air exhaust.

WakeMikey, you can get RV anti-freeze that is environmentally friendly to run in the lake I believe.

thanks for the advise guys. hopefully it works when i hook up the hose.

How would you do that, especially if the tank is full.

Got a 2008 repo boat, and it sat there for more than 2 years... don't know if it was stabilized and don't know how long the gas stayed in it.

I would hope that any antifreeze in his system is RV/Marine rated. If so it is biodegradable and no worries on spilling it into the drain.

2 yrs old, I think I'd drain it, or at least the bulk of it.

I gave 5 gallons of contaminated gas (had oil & water in it) to a buddy who has a huge burn pile. We waited till a drizzly, cold day last winter, threw it on the pile for a couple hours, then lit it up. I bet the flames were fifty feet high!

Your local waste transfer station will have a hazardous waste disposal area too. I suppose that would be the responsible way to get rid of it..... but not nearly as much fun.

Yeah, if the tank is full, i have about 49 gallons to get rid of, not an easy task!!!