winterizing a GS20

[Laz Mav]

Looking for instruction on how to properly winterize a GS20 any help would be greatly appreciated

[bturner]

Each boat is going to have general and specific requirements and procedures based on the engine and options the boat is fitted with. The first thing to do is to educate yourself on your boat. Create a list and define what engine and options you have that will be affected during the winterization process along with all the part numbers of the components that will be required to complete the winterization process.

Once you have your engine type the owner's manual on these boats are really quite good and in addition to providing you with all the part numbers for the filers, oil type/amount, and other maintenance items it will walk you step by step with the order and location of the drains to evacuate any water that will need to be removed during the winterization process.

Everyone will have their own spin on this as this is another holy war subject like "what is the best oil?" but in general this will be the same for all boats I personally winterize.

Boat

• Treat fuel system with stabilizer if you haven't been doing so all year with Stabil Marine 360.
• Change engine oil and filter
• Change trans fluid (if required)
• Change impeller.
• Drain water from block, fresh water cooling system, heater system and ballast system (this includes the strainer and trans cooler).
• Fill block, fresh water cooling system and heater system with Marine Rated non toxic antifreeze (I use -100 Marine antifreeze as I live in the north).
• Per manual winterize ballast system with RV antifreeze (I use the standard "cherry juice" for this).
• Wash/Wax hull.
• Clean and treat interior with 303.
• Remove any gear (life jackets, fire extinguisher, tools, documents, etc.) that will not be stored in the boat.
• Remove battery. Charge and store battery in basement.
• Remove Bimini. Wash then treat with 303 Fabric Guard. Store Bimini.
• Wash then treat mooring cover with 303 Fabric Guard.
• Tighten/fix any loose or damaged misc items. Make note and order any parts/materials required for items I won't be able to address during the winterization process.

Trailer

• Wash trailer
• Check condition and air pressure of tires including spare. Torque lug nuts.
• Check brake fluid, inspect wheel seals and brake lines for leaks and condition.
• Check lights and function of break lights and turn signals.
• Check condition of trailer connector and apply dielectric grease to connections.
• Check condition of safety cables and breakaway cable.
• Lube pivot points on brake actuator, latch assembly, winch and trailer dolly.
• Address any broken or damaged components. Make note and order any parts/materials required for items I won't be able to address during the winterization process.

My process works for me based on how and where I store my boat. Many people are going to disagree with some or possibly all of the above and that's fine, this has worked for me for over 20 years. How you do yours in the end is up to you.

Below is a sample of the doc I have for my boat.....

[Laz Mav]

Bturner
Thank you for the advise and detailed description of everything you do I really appreciate it. I should have been more descriptive on the advice I am looking for. I am trying to make sure I cover all aspects of winterizing the engine which is no longer fresh water cooled and the mufflers which are fresh water cooled. I also see that there people who winterize the ballast systems and some that don't and wanted to make sure I did winterize this ballast system properly as the manual gives a generic instruction on how to do it.