It is a bitter sweet moment when it comes time to winterize the boat. There truly is nothing like summer in the Tahoe Keys, but putting the boat away until next season signifies another exciting time of year-winter in Lake Tahoe. Views of snowcapped mountains, fresh powder and blue bird days are on the horizon, which means it is time to pack up the boat for the winter. Here are a few tips to make sure this is done properly.

1.)    Fill your boats tank almost to capacity, leaving room for expansion. To prevent fuel from degrading during the cold winter months, add gasoline stabilizer. This also acts as a stabilizer that reduces the process of oxidation, varnish and corrosion.

2.)    To avoid any potential disasters with interior condensation, close the fuel valves. Seal any thru-port exhaust ports with duct tape and replace the fuel filter and water separator.

3.)    Coat the spark plugs. Remove the engine flame arrestor and put fogging or two-cycle oil into the carburetor as the engine is running. To burn off excess fuel, turn off the fuel supply. When the engine is off, inject oil inside the cylinders. To coat the spark plugs, spin the engine several. Put the plugs back in but keep the wires disconnected. This will prevent the boat’s pistons from being exposed to dampness, air and other caustic materials.

4.)    Protect the plugs and bulb sockets from dampness by spraying contact points with a moisture displacing lubricant.

5.)    Change the gear oil in the engine by flushing and replacing the lubricant in the lower unit gear case if your boat has an inboard/outdrive engine.

6.)     Get rid of any remaining engine coolant and fill the engine block with antifreeze. Make sure to use the proper antifreeze for your boat’s model.

7.)     Remove the battery, make sure it is fully charged and then store in a dry atmosphere.

8.)    Look for any widespread wear in the vessel’s propeller and hub. This includes blades that may be dented or bowed. Any damages should be repaired or replaced when winterizing.

9.)    Clean and cover your boat.