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Top 3 Winter Boat HACKS!

14 September 2024 · 6 min · 10K views

What this video covers

Three winter storage procedures — engine oil change, fuel tank management, and water system winterization — are covered with specific technique guidance drawn from RM Auto Restoration, a classic and exotic car shop.0:43

On engine oil: used oil contains unburnt fuel and acidic contaminants that corrode engine internals during storage, so change the oil before layup.1:18 After the change, run the engine either for about one minute to fill the new filter, or for a full 30 minutes to reach operating temperature — nothing in between, because a partial warm-up creates condensation that won't burn off.2:04

On fuel: fill the tank completely rather than running it dry.2:26 A full tank minimizes air volume, cutting both condensation and oxidation; add Sta-Bil or a similar stabilizer.2:38

On water systems: flush the engine's raw-water cooling circuit with non-toxic antifreeze ("pink stuff") until it exits the exhaust.4:16 Run the same antifreeze through the freshwater tank, all faucets, and the shower head, then leave faucets open to back-drain.4:56 Pull the bilge pump out, dry the bilge with sponges, and add roughly a gallon of pink stuff to the bilge to handle meltwater that drains down a keel-stepped mast over winter.5:42

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