| It's getting cold outside and the days
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| | anti-freeze. Every two to three years,
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| are shortening. Yes, winter is coming and
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| | the water pump impeller should be changed
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| it's time to protect your boat from the
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| | to keep the cooling system running
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| elements.
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| | efficiently.
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| The safest place for your boat to be over
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| | Clean out rust and sediment from both
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| the winter is out of the water. However,
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| | outboard and inboard engines by removing
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| hauling and storage can be rather costly.
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| | the block plugs and letting the water
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| Shrink-wrapping your boat is a cheaper
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| | drain away. Pump anti-freeze in to
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| option or, if your budget is very tight,
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| | prevent ice damage. Spray the engine with
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| you can use a tarpaulin or similar cover
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| | an aerosol fogging oil to prevent rust.
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| to keep nature out. Allow for some air
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| | When the engine is cool, remove the spark
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| circulation under the cover to prevent
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| | plugs and spray fogging oil into the
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| mildew.
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| | cylinders through the spark plug holes.
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| Storing Your Boat Out Of The Water
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| | Replace any spark plugs that are worn
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| If you've chosen to store your boat out
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| | out.
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| of the water over winter, it's a great
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| | Replace the oil filter and oil and make
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| opportunity to clean the barnacles, algae
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| | sure you dispose of the old oil
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| and other foul off the hull, propellers,
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| | responsibly.
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| shafts and rudders etc. Open the
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| | If your engine is an outboard, store it
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| seacocks, letting them drain and drain
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| | in the upright position.
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| the bilges leaving the drain plug out.
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| | To ensure your electrical terminals and
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| Make sure you remember to put it back in
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| | fuse panel remain rust-free, spray them
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| before your boat goes back in the water
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| | with a lubricant to displace moisture.
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| next season.
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| | Read the label to make sure the spray is
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| Storage In The Water
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| | safe for electrical items.
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| For boats stored in the water over
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| | On inboard engines, clean out the
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| winter, the main problem is freezing of
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| | backfire flame arrester with carburettor
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| the water around the boat. Water expands
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| | cleaner.
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| when it freezes creating huge pressure on
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| | Life jackets, seat cushions and any other
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| your boat's hull which can be very
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| | fabric items should be hung up or
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| damaging. Keeping the water around your
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| | positioned so they can air out easily.
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| boat in constant motion can prevent it
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| | Flush out the holding tank by pumping it
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| freezing. Bubbling and de-icing systems
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| | out, adding fresh water to the bowl and
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| exist for this very purpose, so make sure
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| | flushing a few times, then pump out
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| there's one available if the water is
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| | again. Use a toilet cleaning product, but
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| likely to freeze.
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| | refer to your owner's handbook to make
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| Ensure all the seacocks are closed and
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| | sure the product you use is safe for your
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| none are leaking and make sure the bilge
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| | system.
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| pumps, float switches and battery are all
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| | If your boat is to be stored on a
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| in good working order.
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| | trailer, remove the tyres and place the
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| You should also check the boat at regular
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| | trailer on blocks to preserve the tyre
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| intervals to be sure it is safe and
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| | rubber and also make your boat harder to
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| secure; the marina or Harbour Master may
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| | steal.
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| be able to do this and report back to
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| | It is certainly worth remembering that a
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| you.
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| | little money spent winterizing your boat
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| Further Winterization Techniques
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| | could save you a small fortune later.
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| Add stabilizer to the fuel in your fuel
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| | Your insurance company may actually
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| tanks to prevent the fuel from degrading
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| | insist on a certain level of boat
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| over winter. Then run the engine to let
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| | winterization to keep you covered. In
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| the stabilizer get into the fuel system
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| | addition to these general instructions,
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| and engine to protect them. Refer to the
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| | it is wise to check your boat's handbook
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| fuel stabilizer instructions for the
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| | for any winterization required that is
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| appropriate quantity.
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| | specific to your type of boat.
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| Flush the cooling system and protect with
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