Preparing your boat for off-season or long-term storage is critical to protect it from damage and ensure it's ready for action when the season rolls around again. Whether you're dealing with freezing temperatures or storing your boat in a warmer climate, adhering to the guidance in your engine and boat owner's manuals is vital for maintaining performance and reliability. Here, we've consolidated the advice into key steps, focusing on annual maintenance and the use of our Evinrude and Mercury OEM products.
Key Steps for Boat and Engine Long-Term Storage
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Consult Your Manuals: Your engine and boat owner's manuals are indispensable resources for storage procedures, offering maintenance schedules and task instructions. For more detailed guidance, service manuals provide in-depth maintenance steps. While some tasks, like flushing inboard engine cooling systems, might be best left to professionals, many maintenance activities can be managed by dedicated DIY owners.
Need help getting your manual? Feel free to contact us and we’ll find your manual free of charge - Engine Care Essentials:
- Oil Change: Essential for four-stroke outboards and sterndrive engines, changing the oil and filter before storage removes harmful acidic byproducts. Use marine-specific oil and filters for best protection.
- Gearcase Lubricant Change: Annually inspect and replace the gearcase lubricant to remove contaminants and check for water, which could freeze and cause damage.
- Fuel Care: Replace engine fuel filters, and treat the fuel system with a stabilizer to prevent degradation. Run the engine to distribute stabilized fuel throughout the system.
- Internal Component Protection: Apply a lubricant in each cylinder and on spark plugs to guard against rust. Check and refill power trim and steering fluids as needed.
- Propeller and Anodes: Inspect the propeller shaft and anodes. Lubricate the shaft and replace anodes as necessary to protect against corrosion.
- Touch Up and Corrosion Protection: Address any external paint wear and apply corrosion protectant on metal parts susceptible to rust, ensuring a protective barrier is formed.
- Positioning and Draining: Store outboards vertically and sterndrives trimmed down to allow internal water to drain, preventing freeze damage. Purge water from inboard and sterndrive engines according to your manual's instructions.
Additional Boat Storage Tips
- Battery Maintenance: Fully charge and disconnect batteries, utilizing a maintainer if possible, to prevent sulfation.
- Dry Storage: Remove all gear and dry out storage compartments, paying special attention to areas with carpeting to avoid mildew.
- Water System Purging: Clear all plumbing of water, using antifreeze as necessary to prevent freeze damage.
- Cushion and Canvas Care: Store soft parts in a dry, controlled environment to prevent mildew and extend their lifespan.
- Waterproofing: If outdoor storage is your only option, consider professional shrink wrapping to protect against moisture, dirt, and pests.
Take a look at our OEM fuel additives like our Evinrude Fuel conditioner or Quicksilver Fuel stabilizer
