Many Yamaha outboard motor owners live in climates where they are taken out of service for the winter months, which means winterizing their outboards is a must. … It ensures safe boating in the spring, and also helps to keep your outboard(s) performing well.
Do you have to winterize a 4 stroke outboard motor?
Like inboards and sterndrives, outboard engines are also subject to potential damage from freezing and from being laid up in disuse for months at a time. … So outboards demand winterizing too.
How do you protect an outboard motor from freezing?
When the air temperature is below freezing, always keep the motor in its down position when it’s not running. This will allow all water in the motor to drain to the waterline. Water in the submerged portion of the motor will not freeze.
Do outboard motors need to be winterized?
If you want your engine to start in the spring and last you many years and plan on not using your engine all winter, you do have to winterize an outboard motor. Winterizing the engine helps to prevent damage during disuse, which is the chief cause for engine failure. Failing to winterize may lead to complications.
Is it bad to not winterize your boat?
Winterizing a boat is an essential process unless you plan to make necessary repairs to your boat come springtime. If you do not winterize your boat, any water droplets left could freeze, expand, and crack the components they were in. This could cause anything from blowing off a hose to completely ruining your engine.
Will a boat motor freeze at 27 degrees?
Unwinterized boat engines can freeze any time the air temperature is below 28°F (-2°C) – for an extended period. Freshwater cooled engines without proper coolant can freeze below 32°F (0°C). The good news is you can prevent freeze damage fairly easily.
Should I leave my outboard motor up or down?
It’s best to tilt your outboard up when leaving your boat in the water to prevent marine growth from forming and from corrosion eating away at its metal parts. That being said, there are some instances when you may prefer tilting your outboard down.
How much does it cost to winterize a boat?
If you bring your boat to a shop to have it winterized, you can expect to pay between $300 and $400.