Newbie winterization

[Infinity]

Here is the 5 gallon bucket I made myself to winterize boat (you can buy something already made similar to this which is where I got the idea but it costs $100).... I bought everything I needed from Wal-Mart except hose for probably $15...the hose I cut off of old piece I had laying at house...cause I could not find anyone that sold hose with both ends on it that was only like 3-5ft long. On inside of the bucket, I made my own "washer" by cutting up some rubber gloves. Basically I pour 5 gallons of AF into the bucket and once ready, I open the valve so the AF can flow while pressing the cut end of hose on the strainer hard so it seals....then I have someone start the engine. 2mins later the bucket is empty and system if full of AF.

[GMLIII]

Here is the 5 gallon bucket I made myself to winterize boat (you can buy something already made similar to this which is where I got the idea but it costs $100).... I bought everything I needed from Wal-Mart except hose for probably $15...the hose I cut off of old piece I had laying at house...cause I could not find anyone that sold hose with both ends on it that was only like 3-5ft long. On inside of the bucket, I made my own "washer" by cutting up some rubber gloves. Basically I pour 5 gallons of AF into the bucket and once ready, I open the valve so the AF can flow while pressing the cut end of hose on the strainer hard so it seals....then I have someone start the engine. 2mins later the bucket is empty and system if full of AF.

This is great idea thanks for sharing

[Tom_H]

Cool fab up infinity, and nice job with the make-shift bulkhead fitting. If you're ever looking to put a threaded connection on the other end of the hose, just grab a hose repair kit from the hardware store - I've had to cut and install new garden hose fittings countless times over the years.

[Team230]

This is a very interesting thread (less the debate). Thanks for starting it.

I got a quote from my dealer of $227 for basic winterization, $90 for ballast tanks and $160 to replace impeller. This is my third winter with my boat and I paid these cost the first two years, but not anymore! Honestly, it's the $90 ballast tank cost that threw me over the edge. Dump a bit of AF in the tank and pump it out to the ground with the pump...wth!

Again - thanks for all the comments and feedback. I'll be doing mine over the weekend. My plan is to do a video and upload. We will see if I end up doing that

[DocPhil]

This is a very interesting thread (less the debate). Thanks for starting it.

I got a quote from my dealer of $227 for basic winterization, $90 for ballast tanks and $160 to replace impeller. This is my third winter with my boat and I paid these cost the first two years, but not anymore! Honestly, it's the $90 ballast tank cost that threw me over the edge. Dump a bit of AF in the tank and pump it out to the ground with the pump...wth!

Again - thanks for all the comments and feedback. I'll be doing mine over the weekend. My plan is to do a video and upload. We will see if I end up doing that

90 bucks to push a button

[Infinity]

That's cause they want you to think only they know the RIGHT button to push, lol.
Course they have to charge more since if they mess up, they pay for the damage...at least in theory they are supposed to

[Team230]

I took care of my boat this weekend. I started out using a plunger style adapter that covered my intake, but I could not get enough head (pressure) on the inlet with the AF so I pulled the hose on the outlet of the strainer and simply poured AF in there with the boat running until it came out the exhaust and the shaft seal purge. I then open a few plugs to see if it was pink too.

I think it's all good. It took me 5 gallons of AF to ensure everything was full.