Winterizing Your Boat on Lake St. Clair

A Michigan winter is hard on a boat that is not put away right. Freeze damage to a block or an outdrive is the kind of bill that ruins a spring. Here is the short version of what needs to happen, and who around Lake St. Clair can do it for you.

The short checklist

• Engine. Change the oil and filter while the motor is warm, fog the cylinders, and run antifreeze through the cooling system until it comes out pink. This is the step that prevents a cracked block.
• Outdrive or lower unit. Drain and replace the gear lube, check for water intrusion, and grease the fittings.
• Fuel. Top off the tank to cut down on condensation and add stabilizer, then run it through so treated fuel reaches the injectors or carburetor.
• Water systems. Drain the fresh water tank, water heater, and any washdown or livewell plumbing, and pump antifreeze through them.
• Battery. Pull it, top off the charge, and store it somewhere it will not freeze.
• Cover. Shrink-wrap or store indoors so snow load and ice do not sit on the deck all winter.

Where to get it done locally

Most boaters on Lake St. Clair hand this off to a yard, and there are plenty around Harrison Township and St. Clair Shores that handle haul-out, winterization, shrink-wrap, and storage under one roof.

Start with our boat storage listings for the yards that keep your boat over the winter, and boat repair and service for the shops that do the engine and drive work. Many marinas offer winterization and storage to their slip holders too, so if you keep a slip, ask your marina first.

Book early. The good yards fill their winter storage before the leaves turn, and haul-out slots go fast once the water cools off.

Come spring

When the ice is off, the same yards handle spring commissioning: de-winterize, re-launch, and a systems check before your first run. Line it up over the winter so you are on the water the first warm weekend instead of waiting in line.