Winterizing

 Hey guys still relatively new to boating, had a search through the forums and couldn't find too much info so apologies if this has been asked before. 

As the winter draws in I'm using the boat less and less and wondering if there's anything I should do to keep my 2 stroke in good condition during long periods of not being used. A lot of the yank sites say you should winterize but seems like they do this for the whole winter, I plan on getting occasional use on a good weekend. Main issues I can think of would be fuel gumming up in lines etc. would just starting her up every 2 weeks be sufficient to keep things from seizing? Motor is a 1997 force 90hp.

Also one other question how long is fuel good for, haven't been able to get out in 6 weeks :-( so would it be alright to run this fuel still? 

Cheers


Vinesh87's picture

Posts: 2751

Date Joined: 02/04/11

 Just keep using it and all

Sun, 2013-05-19 16:59

 Just keep using it and all good!! Some of the best weather through winter!!

tim-o's picture

Posts: 4657

Date Joined: 24/05/11

Yep good inshore fishing

Sun, 2013-05-19 17:08

Yep good inshore fishing during winter in between the blowups, less dhs at the boat ramps too

____________________________________________________________________________

I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.

Posts: 408

Date Joined: 23/11/09

winterizing

Sun, 2013-05-19 17:56

only something the yanks bother doing...... 

we can get fishing in all year round here !!

____________________________________________________________________________

.

 

Posts: 5

Date Joined: 15/03/13

 OK thanks for the replies,

Sun, 2013-05-19 18:07

 OK thanks for the replies, just started it up and ran it for ten mins to keep things lubricated, only problem steering has seized inside the tube since I used it last, had that cleaned and regreased couple of months ago :-s hopefully wd40 does the job lol

Bluetonic's picture

Posts: 1147

Date Joined: 09/01/08

Yep! Fish all year round and

Sun, 2013-05-19 19:35

Yep! Fish all year round and you won't have seizing problems!

____________________________________________________________________________

Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!

Posts: 2925

Date Joined: 27/12/06

Winter

Sun, 2013-05-19 19:52

 Put some "stabil" in your fuel to help with preservation.

start it every 2 weeks and move your steering arm.  Spray inbox or an oil based lubricant on your steering arm

tomharders247's picture

Posts: 145

Date Joined: 22/11/12

 We havent used our dinghy

Sun, 2013-05-19 22:40

 We havent used our dinghy with a evinrude 30hp for 3 1/2 years 

thought we might go for a swan river bash in it one day and BOOM it started first go

we were all amazed haha

Happy Hooker's picture

Posts: 305

Date Joined: 12/11/08

Like Rig Mentioned....

Wed, 2013-05-22 07:35

Run it every few weeks and move steering so it doesnt seize up. I think he meant inox not inbox ... Some sprays like WD 40 etc can deteriorate rubber hoses if used over a long period of time so silicon is apparently a better option. 

 

Fuel wise biggest problem is caused by water build-up in the fuel tank due to condensation.Have a read of links below  , might give you some good tips. Drainable fuel filter is good idea. I have left fuel in mine for a while (3mths) , no problems. You can use Stabil etc. 

 

http://www.couriermail.com.au/life/outabout/boating-how-to-avoid-fuel-problems-when-boating/story-e6frer76-1226387622904

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/19092.asp

 

Dont forget to bomb your trailer with spray too to keep everything moving...WD 40 and the like fine for that.

Justo82's picture

Posts: 482

Date Joined: 17/10/11

cheers for the reminder. 

Thu, 2013-05-23 10:53

cheers for the reminder.  definitely need to get some wd40 onto the trailer.  apart from that, I tend to use the boat every few weeks anyway.

 

 

Posts: 2925

Date Joined: 27/12/06

inox

Thu, 2013-05-23 14:54

yeah as happy hooker pointed out I meant Inox as it is oil based.  WD40 will actually strip out the lubrication that is already in your cable

Posts: 695

Date Joined: 12/03/12

keep the fuel tank full and

Thu, 2013-05-23 18:37

keep the fuel tank full and it will stop condensation, also beleive it or not if you dont use fuel for a while there is a type of black algey that will grow in the tank so pays to use it.