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Seasonal Maintenance
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.
Seakeeper Raw Water Cooling System.
The Seakeeper stabilization system has specic lay
up and winterizing procedures. Refer to the Sea-
keeper’s manual and/or contact your Everglades
dealer for recommended winterizing procedures.
Outboard Engines
The engines 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. Coat each engine with a protector, wax the
exterior and properly store and charge the batter-
ies. You should refer to the engine owner’s manual
or contact your dealer for specic instructions on
winterizing your engines.
Notice:
Properly winterize the engines and fuel sys-
tem by following the engine manufacturer’s
winterizing procedures located in your engine
owner’s manuals or contact an Everglades
dealer.
Hardtop
It is imperative that all drain holes in the legs are
open and that the legs are completely free of wa-
ter. Remove the canvas and thoroughly clean and
store in a safe, dry place. Remove all electronics.
Coat all wire connectors and bus bars in the helm
compartment with a protecting oil.
Clean the aluminum frame with soap and water
and dry thoroughly. Apply an aluminum metal
protector to the entire frame on anodized alumi-
num to reduce corrosion and pitting. Apply an
automotive or boat wax to powder coated alumi-
num to protect it during storage periods.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE LEG DRAIN HOLES ARE CLEAR
WHEN THE BOAT IS LAID UP FOR THE WINTER. WATER
TRAPPED INSIDE THE HARDTOP LEGS COULD FREEZE AND
CAUSE THE LEGS TO SPLIT.
Special Notes Prior To Winter Storage
If the boat will be in outside storage, properly sup-
port a storage cover and secure it over the boat. It
is best to have a frame built over the boat to sup-
port the canvas. It should be a few inches wider
than the boat so the canvas will clear the rails and
allow passage of air. If this cover is fastened too
tightly there will be inadequate ventilation and this
can lead to mildew, moisture accumulation, etc.
It is essential to fasten the canvas down securely
so that the wind cannot remove it or cause chang
of the hull superstructure. Do not store the boat
in a damp storage enclosure. Excessive damp-
ness can cause electrical problems, corrosion and
excessive mildew.
Whenever possible, do not use the weather en-
closure or sunshade in place of the winter storage
cover. The life of these canvases may be sig-
nicantly shortened if exposed to harsh weather
elements for long periods.
PLACING AN ELECTRIC OR FUEL BURNING HEATING UNIT
IN THE BILGE AREA CAN BE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS
AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Proper storage is very important to prevent serious
damage to the boat. If the boat is to be stored
indoors, make sure the building has enough ven-
tilation. It is very important that there is enough
ventilation both inside the boat and around the
boat.
Notice:
If the boat is to be stored indoors or out-
doors, open all interior drawers, clothes
lockers, cabinets and doors a little. If pos-
sible, remove the upholstery, mattresses,
clothing and rugs. Then hang a commercially
available mildew protector in the interior
compartments.
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