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  #1  
Old 10-05-2008, 07:07 PM
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Question Winterizing Your Inboard

I just picked up my boat today after I had it winterized & the oil changed......... OUCH!!! $530 to drain the water, fill the block with antifreeze & change the oil in the engine & the leg. Does that not sound a bit expensive???

I was going to do it myself but I am worried about not draining it properly and having a cracked block, does anyone have any experience with the Mercruisers? There is a drain on my motor with a valve and a couple of blue plugs that have to come out for sure.

It's not only the cost that I don't like but also the fact that I have to winterize the boat at least a couple of weeks early to beat the rush that will come once it starts freezing a bit harder.
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Old 10-05-2008, 07:18 PM
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Default Winterize

I did mine(Mercruiser), on my own for that very reason...
Every time your boat goes in the shop, it's hiway robbery.
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Old 10-05-2008, 07:28 PM
kevinb668 kevinb668 is offline
 
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I just paid $380 to winterize my 3.4l penta. I have heard a few other guys complaing about the price. I can't imagine there being that much to it. I would be willing to throw in some money to have someone that knows what they are doing put on a demo to the guys here so we could do it ourselves. Every boat shop I called is charging at least $350 to do an inboard and I don't think there is more than a hour and a half labour involved. What do you think?
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  #4  
Old 10-05-2008, 07:44 PM
Buckhead Buckhead is offline
 
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Default Boat Motor Winterizing

Good info can be found at the mercury marine website or in your engine suppliers Owners Manual that came with your boat.

It is well worth the money to order an Owners Manual from a dealer as maintenance and storage procedures are clearly described.

You can save a lot of $$$ by doing a lot of these things yourself and most of them are quite easy and hardly take any time at all.
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Old 10-05-2008, 07:55 PM
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I dropped mine off at 10:00 am on Saturday and they called at 2:30 pm to let me know it was done and I am sure it wasn't the only boat being worked on. The oil change is easy, I have a pump for the engine oil that sucks it out, replace a filter & fill it with oil you are done. The leg same thing drain it & fill it back up from the bottom using another pump. The only reason I have them do it once a year is for warranty reasons.

I opened the water drain valve on mine and it seemed to drain, a couple of gallons of water came out anyways. I looked at a flushing unit at the dealer but they were none to helpful on how to use it ( I wouldn't be either if I could charge like they do ). What I assume is you attatch a chunk of garden hose to it and stick the hose in a jug of RV antifreeze and idle the engine which will fill the block.

My old boat you just removed 2 plugs and let it drain I never had any trouble doing it myself nor did I use the RV antifreeze in it. I'm just not comfortable taking that risk with a brand new engine.
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  #6  
Old 10-05-2008, 09:45 PM
Tungsten Tungsten is offline
 
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Default Winterizing

Some of you might be interested in this:

NAIT video that outlines the winterization process.
Applies to both inboards and outboards with most demonstrations done on the inboard.

http://www.nait.ca/31549.htm
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Old 10-06-2008, 06:56 AM
caddisman caddisman is offline
 
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Nothing happened when I click on the start button
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  #8  
Old 10-06-2008, 08:16 AM
merk1 merk1 is offline
 
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Thanks tungsten that was a very good video, lots of info. Sure does not look like 4 or 5 hundred dollars worth of work.
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  #9  
Old 10-07-2008, 01:35 PM
FUGARWE FUGARWE is offline
 
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Default Winterization

As the General Manager of a Boat Dealership here in Calgary I would like to comment on the costs of winterization. We did 13 engine replacements due to either no winterization being done or having been done wrong this spring. Average cost for engine replacement on a Mercruiser inboard can run anywhere from $8000.00 up.

We have two winterization packages a basic and a full, described below is what we do and what we charge.

Basic: 1/ Check Engine, leg, trim, oil levels and top up if needed.
2/ Check Gear Oil for water
3/ Check Functions: Starting
Gear Shifting
Tach Operation
Fuel Gauge Operation
Bilge Blower Operation
Horn Operation
4/ Shutdown: Install Rv Coolant To System
Fog Intake to Lube Cylinders
Remove Coolant Systems Drains, drain residual coolant
Refit Drain Plugs
Disconnect Battery
Install Fuel Stabilizer To Fuel Tank
Remove Boat Drain Plug Place in Drivers Cup Holder
5/ Wipedown interior and exterior of boat

Labour 1.5 Hours @ $110/hr = $165.00
Fuel Stabalizer 7.95
Rv Coolant 39.80
Shop Supplies 15.00
g.s.t. 11.38

Total $239.13

Full Winterization includes all of the above but we change ALL fluids and filters in the engine and leg. The price with the fluid changes and additional labour brings you up to $450.

Hope this helps justify the costs. Not all dealerships go the extra mile that we do, but we hate to see anyone have to replace an engine.

Cheers!
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  #10  
Old 10-07-2008, 03:25 PM
merk1 merk1 is offline
 
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FUGARWE, I bought a boat from you early spring, have not had it in the water for about a month but was planning a fishing trip this weekend. Just wondering if these temps dropping a little below zero at the end of the week should make me cancell, and should I be worried about the boat since it has not yet been winterized? Just wondering if minus 3 or 4 will do any damage,thanks.
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  #11  
Old 10-07-2008, 04:00 PM
FUGARWE FUGARWE is offline
 
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Default Winterization

Merk

Thats a very touchy subject, as long as the night time temps are no lower than -4 your ok. With the Alberta weather I have instructed my staff to have all of our stock boats winterized by the end of the week...no exceptions! If your going for the weeekend where the boat will be stored outdoors at night I would advise against it. If your going on day trips and the boat will be stored each evening inside then you should be ok. I have had it go colder than -10 and boats still ok, but its an expensive gamble if the temp drops. If you are just going for the one day and need in stored indoors before you go let me know and we can make arrangements for you to put your boat in the shop and meet you here early the next morning, at no cost of course.

Cheers
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  #12  
Old 10-07-2008, 07:58 PM
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Thanks Tungsten for a great link.
Dodger.
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  #13  
Old 10-08-2008, 04:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dodger View Post
Thanks Tungsten for a great link.
Dodger.
X2

Not that much work for $500.
I would bet I can run a heater in my garage all winter for less than that.
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  #14  
Old 10-09-2008, 09:43 AM
FUGARWE FUGARWE is offline
 
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Default Heated Garage

Big Buck

We had a customer who refused to pay to have his boat winterized last year said he would just keep it in his "heated" garage. He went to Florida for a week, power went out in his garage while he was gone. $10 000.00 for a new motor. My suggestion is if you are going to do it by yourself, cause $500 is a lot of money for a couple of hours work, call the dealership and ask them to explain to you the proper procedure. As for the $500 we live in Alberta and you have no idea how hard it is to hire a qualified Marine Tech. If you are lucky enough to hire one you need to pay them big $$$ to keep them. Therefore unfortunately the consumer gets hit with higher labour rates. I agree with you that $500 is a lot for a couple of hours of work but its the cost of doing business in this province.
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  #15  
Old 10-09-2008, 09:58 AM
Waxy Waxy is offline
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For every one of these "horror stories" there's a thousand guys that winterize their own boats for $50, a beer or two, and couple hours of their time and never have a problem. Besides, that's what you buy insurance for...

Waxy
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  #16  
Old 10-09-2008, 10:30 AM
merk1 merk1 is offline
 
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It is worth it it's only going to cost around $200 and they do a fair bit, plus no worries when you go to use it in the spring. INSURANCE, (no) I have the most insurance on my boat offered and it state's (In addition to the general exclusions we will not cover any loss, damage, liability or expence directly or indirectly caused by or arising from: freezing damages unless you have researched and taken reasonable precautions to protect the vessel and its machinery in accordance with industry standards!)
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  #17  
Old 10-09-2008, 11:29 AM
Waxy Waxy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merk1 View Post
It is worth it it's only going to cost around $200 and they do a fair bit, plus no worries when you go to use it in the spring.
For $200, it might be worth it, but there's plenty of fluff in that bill too. ($40 worth of RV antifreeze? Does it take 10 gals?) I guess it depends on how much you value your time, how mechanically inclined you are, and whether or not you have the tools.

Quote:
INSURANCE, (no) I have the most insurance on my boat offered and it state's (In addition to the general exclusions we will not cover any loss, damage, liability or expence directly or indirectly caused by or arising from: freezing damages unless you have researched and taken reasonable precautions to protect the vessel and its machinery in accordance with industry standards!)
You did though, you winterized it yourself, and you have the receipts to prove it, maybe take a few pics while you're at it. You have now "researched and taken reasonable precautions to protect the vessel and its machinery in accordance with industry standards". The insurance company cannot deny your claim because the procedure wasn't done at a dealer, and don't let any dealer or insurance company try to tell you otherwise.

In the case of the garage heater quitting, it's even more obvious.

Waxy
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  #18  
Old 10-09-2008, 11:50 AM
merk1 merk1 is offline
 
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Not willing to take any chances with a $35000 investment for $200 and I'm very mechanically inclined, just feel more at ease. And everybody knows that an insurance company is always going to try and find a way out.
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  #19  
Old 10-09-2008, 12:10 PM
Waxy Waxy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merk1 View Post
Not willing to take any chances with a $35000 investment for $200 and I'm very mechanically inclined, just feel more at ease. And everybody knows that an insurance company is always going to try and find a way out.
That's what personal choice is all about, to each his own. Personally, I'm far more comfortable doing it myself, that way I KNOW it was done right. There's a reason for the old saying, and at the end of day, I know it's my responsibility.

That sense of security, regardless of its merits, along with the convenience factor, is why dealers are still in business and charging $500 for the service...

Waxy

P.S. If you think the insurance company is hard to deal with, try getting a boat dealer to admit their mistakes and pay for the repairs...
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  #20  
Old 10-09-2008, 08:56 PM
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BigBuck$ BigBuck$ is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merk1 View Post
Not willing to take any chances with a $35000 investment for $200 and I'm very mechanically inclined, just feel more at ease. And everybody knows that an insurance company is always going to try and find a way out.

I'm kindda on you team here, the $500 is truely a rip off but I guess its seasonal work for these guys. No worse than shelling out $100 for a round of golf. What my big issue is the fact that I have a $40000 boat sitting in the garage that is winterized and I can't use it again till next spring. If I could drain the danm thing properly myself after each use I'm sure I could use my boat well into November on some years not put it away at the end of September.
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  #21  
Old 10-10-2008, 07:09 AM
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I put my Sportjet into the shop every fall, and they go through it completely.
Wear ring and impellar are checked as well as the stator fluids changed that I cannot do myself without a pump , etc.
I pick it up after work, put it away under the tarp, and put the batteries in my garage.
The following spring I put the batteries back in a fire it up - period.
The piece of mind in a very busy schedule for me is that it gets done, and I can use that time for something else.
I suppose I could get the pump to drain the stator, etc, but that time involved and the lack of space in my garage are just two factors, I prefer to take it to the shop bought it from....
Cat
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  #22  
Old 10-16-2008, 07:15 PM
zeek zeek is offline
 
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Default winterizing

hi folks i just got told about this site and this thread...i am a member and have been reading the mag for along time...however i'm also the owner of a licensed marine service center in strathmore. let me tell you a little about my self
i am a lincensed mercury marine inboard and outboard technician,omc (johnson,evinrude) techician and a volvo penta specialist i have been in the marine industry for the last 28 years as a mechanic. i offer a coarse to customers on how to winterize there boats themselfs ( inboards or outboards) for a nominal fee of 25.00 each with a minimun of 12 students. it takes about 2 to 3 hrs to do and can save you some time and money.for those people that don't wish to do it themselfs i have a flat rate off 100.00 plus parts (not including oil changes) to winterize normal stern drives or outboards. with all do respect to the other dealers and service centers they have to cover alot of over head. this reply to the thread is not meant to take business away from anybody or to degrade anyone i just think there should always be a alternative...if you have any questions please PM me and i wil be pleased to answer them
thanks
zeek

Last edited by zeek; 10-16-2008 at 07:24 PM.
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  #23  
Old 10-16-2008, 07:23 PM
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Grizzled Grizzled is offline
 
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A course for new boat owners is a great idea...most guys with outboards should be able to do thier own...inboards can be a little tougher...
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  #24  
Old 10-17-2008, 09:16 AM
Waxy Waxy is offline
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Great idea zeek, thanks for posting.

$25 and 2-3 hours of your life, and you'll have complete peace of mind and never have to pay outrageous fees for simple service again. What could be better than that?

Waxy

P.S. $100 is very reasonable these days, and if you're pressed for time or expertise, that's a good alternative.
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