Everglades 243 CC - Winterizing

103
Seasonal Maintenance
14.2 Winterizing
Fresh Water System
The entire fresh water system must be completely
drained. Disconnect all hoses, check valves, etc.
and blow all the water from the system. Make sure
the lters and fresh water tank are completely
drained. Use only very low air pressure when
doing this to prevent possible system damage.
Because of the check valve mechanism built in
the pump, blowing the lines will not remove the
water from the fresh water pump. Remove the
inlet and outlet hoses on the pump. Turn the
pump on and allow it to pump out any remaining
water....about a cupful. A recommended alterna-
tive to the above-mentioned procedure is the use
of commercially available non toxic, fresh water
system antifreeze. After draining the fresh water
tank, lines and lters, pour the antifreeze mixture
into the fresh water tank, prime and operate the
pump until the mixture ows from all fresh wa-
ter faucets. Be sure to open all water faucets,
including the fresh water washdown hose. Make
sure antifreeze has owed through all of the fresh
water drains.
For additional information refer to the Fresh Water
System and Drainage System chapters.
Raw Water System
Completely drain the raw water systems includ-
ing the sea strainers near the pumps in the stern
bilge. Disconnect all hoses and blow the water
from the system. Use only very low air pres-
sure when doing this to prevent possible system
damage. Because of the check valve mechanism
built in the raw water washdown pump, blowing
the lines will not remove the water from the raw
water pump. Remove the inlet and outlet hoses
on the pump. Turn the pump on and allow it to
pump out any remaining water....about a cupful.
A recommended alternative to the above-men-
tioned procedure is the use of commercially avail-
able nontoxic, potable water system antifreeze. If
potable water antifreeze is used, pour the mixture
into a pail and put the raw water intake lines into
the solution. Run the pumps one at a time until
the antifreeze solution is visible at all raw water
faucets and discharge ttings and drains. Be
sure antifreeze has owed through all of the raw
water drains.
Make sure to run the sh box pumps until all the
water is removed from the sh boxes and the
pump. Then pour potable water antifreeze in each
sh box and activate the pumps until antifreeze is
visible at the discharge thru-hull ttings. To avoid
damage to the pump, be careful not to run the
pump dry for more than a few seconds.
Make sure all water is removed from the livewell
and that the drain is clear and free owing. In-
stall the livewell drain plug, pour potable water
antifreeze in livewell and activate the recirculation
pump until antifreeze is visible at the discharge
tting. Remove the drain plug and wipe down the
inside of the baitwell.
Refer to the Raw Water System chapter for ad-
ditional information on the raw water system.
Portable Marine Toilet
The portable head must be properly winterized by
following the manufacturer’s winterizing instruc-
tions in the portable head owner’s manual.
Notice:
Make sure you follow the marine toilet manu-
facturer’s winterizing instructions exactly.
Bilge
Coat all metal components, wire busses and con-
nector plugs in the bilge with a protecting oil. It
is also important to protect all strainers, seacocks
and steering components. The bilge pumps and
bilge pump lines must be completely free of water
and dried out when the boat is laid-up for the win-
ter in climates where freezing occurs. Compart-
ments in the bilge that will not drain completely
should be pumped out and then sponged until
completely free of water. Dry the hull bilge and
self-bailing cockpit troughs. Water freezing in
these areas could cause damage.
Outboard Engine
The engine should be ushed with fresh water for
at least 15 minutes prior to winter storage. This
will remove salt, sand and other contaminates
that can damage the engine. It is also important
to “Fog” the cylinders, change the gear oil and
change the oil in 4-cycle engines. Coat each en-
gine with a protector, wax the exterior and prop-
erly store and charge the batteries. You should
refer to the Yamaha engine owner’s manual or
contact your dealer for specic instructions on
winterizing your engine.
Notice:
Properly winterize the engine and fuel sys-
tem by following the engine manufacturer’s
winterizing procedures located in your en-
gine owner’s manuals or contact an Ever-
glades dealer.