Help with Winterization

[pablo]

I am a new first time boat owner with almost no mechanical knowledge. The boat is an 06 210 nautique. The only work i have done on the boat is changing the engine oil. I was wondering if i could winterize my boat without having to take it to a dealer. It would cost about 200 bucks and i just wanted to know how difficult it would be to do. I have read in the pcm owners manual but i have some questions. These questions will obviously show how big of a rookie i am and probably prove that i should just take it in to my dealer.
1. I dont Know what the Heat Exchanger is and where the drain plug is on it.
2. I think i found the two drain plugs on the bottom of the exhaust manifolds but not positive. Are they brass? I also dont know where the drain plugs are on the cylinder blocks.
3. Im not sure where the circulating pump is with the drain plug.
4. I also dont know where the oil cooler drain plug is.
5. Also i have no idea how to fog the enginge.
6. Do i need to drain the fuel cell and the transmition oil as well.
7. How big of a hassle is it to remove the impellar and reinstall?
8. What else should i do to winterize the boat?

With this many unknowns is it possible for someone to describe to me where they are all located or should i just take it in to the dealer and not risk damaging the engine with freezing temps?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice

[j2nh]

My two cents

Pablo:
Lots of questions, probably too many. Remember, depending on your location, you are going to have to sweat it out all winter long wondering if you made a very, very costly mistake.
Winterizing an inboard is realatively easy but it does take some time and you need to make sure you do it all correctly.
My advice, take it to the dealer and ask them to walk you through the process so that next year you can do it yourself with confidence. If the dealer is not receptive to the idea then find an inboard owner in your area willing to show you the step by step process.

Where are you located?
What motor is in the boat?

[Sinkoumn]

RE: My two cents

Winterizing is VERY easy; however, for your situation I would recommend that you just pay the dealer to do it this year.

Over the winter months, search on here for all the threads that have been done on winterizing and get a very good idea of what's involved. From then on out, just do it yourself and save the money (and the peace of mind that it was done right). Winterizing is basically changing your oil/filter/V-drive oil/transmission oil. Then just draining all of the water out of the engine (and heater/shower/etc if you have any of that installed), filling the engine with antifreeze, fogging the engine (which is essentially just removing all the spark plugs, spraying in fogging oil from an aeresol can that you buy at the store for about $6), turning the engine over a few times to get the fogging oil in there, and then disconnect the batteries until it's time to get the boat ready for next year.

Plus it always helps to do all the interior cleaning and vacuuming as well before the boat goes into storage; Fantastik spray cleaner and 303 vinyl protectant FTW! :grin:

Once you do it you'll never pay someone to do it for you again (unless you don't have the time to do so). But for now, just pay the $200 and have the dealer do it for you.