Winterizing my new wake boat with a 325 hp engine (v-Drive) .?

Question

Apart from winterizing my engine.....Is there anything else I have know about winterizing my boat... Like for example...what to do with the ballast system ( bags and pump) ??...anything else ???? thank you

Answer 1

You can winterize your ballast tanks by pulling Eco-safe Antifreeze through you pumps and tanks.  While we are not frozen year round, we do get some hard freezes here in Texas.  But since I ride year round, I do not winterize, I do empty my tanks and engine block and manifolds by opening the drain plugs, then I hang a couple of 100 watt bulbs in the engine compartment on either side.  I put a thermo in the compartment, the kind of aftermarket water thermo I picked up from Academy Sports so that I can monitor the temperature inside the compartment.  Even on nights when the temps are in the low teens, the temp in my engine compartment never gets below the mid 40's.  If the boat sits for more than a few weeks I will fog the engine for good measure but I have never had to pump antifreeze into my block or ballast pumps.  If you need help the first time, ask your boat shop to do it the first time and see if they will let you watch.

If you have to put your boat up for the winter, don't forget the fuel stabilizer.

Good luck.