Boat Engine & Accessory Winterization, Lake Tahoe

Engine winterization should be done to any boat being store for more than ninety (90) days or when subject to freezing. The main reason for winterizing your boat is to prevent the freezing of water in your engine and related systems and accessories. Water expands when it freezes and the result is your boat’s engine and parts will look similar to leaving a canned beverage in the freezer too long. The engine block, cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, water pumps, sea strainers, hoses and other parts need to be drained of water for storage. Even if it is not exposed to freezing temperatures, the engine needs to be winterized to prevent rust from water (not antifreeze) in engine block, along with stabilizing your fuel for storage. We will lubricate your cylinders to prevent drain drive of water. Preventing rust, freeze damage and insuring a smooth startup in the spring. Some people in areas where it does not freeze, may feel there is no need to winterize, but rust damage is usually worse where there are not freezing temperatures. You should always winterize your boat when storing it; it is worth the money and peace of mind.

Any boat accessory that uses fresh water needs to be winterized. Winterization must be performed on water systems with sinks, pumps, tanks, showers, transom showers, ice makers and hot water heaters and they should contain no water in them or in the lines going to them when the boat is being stored for the winter. Large boats and yachts have generators, heaters, air conditioning units, ice makers, holding tanks, relay pumps, macerators, toilets, vacuum pumps and other systems that need to be winterized to prevent freezing and mold.