Winterizing & Storing Helpful pontooning hints from the staff of the Pontoon Boat Guide.

Sooner or later the summer fun comes to an end in many parts of the country, and your pontoon boat needs to be put away for the winter. To assist in this important process, this section will focus on both outboard and stern drive powered pontoon boats. It will separate what you can do, and what your dealer is better equipped to do. If you are handy around engines and have read the service manual, you should be able to do it all. Keep in mind though, mistakes made when winterizing your engine can be costly.

Your Check List
The following tips cover what needs to be done to the boat, the engine and trailer as well as outline the various storage options. These tips will not go into great detail but will provide a general check list to follow. You may find it valuable to print out this information for use in your winterizing and storing process.

When, and if, you winterize is dependent on several things. If you live in a warm climate, you may choose to use your outboard or stern drive powered pontoon boat all winter. If you live in a cold climate and your pontoon is equipped with a stern drive engine, it absolutely must be winterized prior to the first freezing weather. The water in an outboard drains when it is shut off, but a stern drive retains water in the engine block, manifolds and exhaust elbows. These parts will crack if the water trapped in them freezes. You don't even want to know what it costs to replace a cracked engine block. Your dealer should perform the winterization on stern drive engines.

Much has already been written about winterization but the goal is to prepare the boat and motor is such a way that it suffers no damage over the winter and is ready to go in the spring when you are.

Here is what needs to be done:

1. Clean and inspect boat, trailer and motor. Remove your personal gear.
2. Repair any problems or make a list for your dealer.
3. Stabilize the fuel and circulate through the engine.
4. Drain and clean any freshwater tanks and head if so equipped.
5. Remove battery(s) and place on maintenance (trickle) charger.
6. Make the pontoon unfriendly to rodents or other pests.
7. Service the engine and trailer.
8. Cover the pontoon securely.
9. Arrange for storage and needed dealer repairs.

Let's look at the boat first. Start by removing all of your gear such as lines, tow ropes, water toys, leftover Bud Light cans and anything else that is not part of the boat. Inspect your gear, and trash the worn out stuff. Make a list of what needs to be replaced before spring, and neatly store everything else.

Clean the boat from top to bottom making notes of what needs to be fixed by yourself or your dealer. Make all repairs that you are capable of doing now. Clean any accumulation of algae from the pontoon logs and motor with a stiff bristle brush and soap and water or a pressure washer. This is a lot easier to do before the grime dries.

Preventing rodents from taking up residence over the winter is a subject mixed of part science and part urban legend. We have heard about remedies ranging from mothballs to cloves and dryer sheets to peppermint oil. The things that do work are mouse traps and a clean boat free of food and nesting materials.

Servicing the engine is important and your dealer should be consulted here. Monitor the Mr. Fix-It blog for periodic instructions on how to do much of this yourself if you are so inclined.

1. Change gearcase oil and inspect for water or overheating.
2. Change engine oil and filter in 4-stroke outboards and stern drives.
3. Replace fuel filter.
4. Inspect propeller and repair or replace as necessary.
5. Flush engine with fresh water if used in salt or brackish waters.
6. Perform engine manufacturer's periodic maintenance as outlined in the service manual.

Servicing the trailer will prevent breakdowns on the road next summer.

1. Repack and inspect/replace the wheel bearings.
2. Inspect tires and replace as necessary.
3. Re-tighten all bolts and other fasteners.
4. Inspect bunks and load guides.
5. Check lights and wiring.
6. Check brake fluid and lines.
7. Inspect weld joints for cracks.
8. Clean and repaint any rusted areas.
9. Make sure that your spare tire is in good shape.

Pontoon winter storage. There are several alternatives for winter storage. You may wish to store your pontoon boat on your own property, or have your dealer pick it up and store it at his location. He will charge for pick-up as well as a monthly storage fee. You may store your pontoon boat on its own trailer or on level ground supported by Styrofoam blocks. Your dealer will have a special trailer that allows him to set the boat directly on the blocks.

One advantage of having your dealer store your boat is that he can perform whatever repairs or maintenance are required over the winter. Talk to him and see if he offers a special package price on pick-up, winterization and storage.

Winterizing your pontoon boat may seem complicated and time consuming, but the reward is a perfectly maintained boat in the spring ready to hit the water. Plan on making the last weekend of the summer a "decommissioning" party where your entire crew gets together to prepare the pontoon for winter storage.

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