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BEFORE YOU STORE YOUR BOAT AWAY: THE ONE SERVICE EVERY BOATER SHOULD DO

Oct. 21 2025 Maintenance By Yankee Boating Center

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Time to Tune Up – and Winterize – Your Motor & Outdrive at Yankee Boat Service


Think of this as the “pre-clinic” for your boat’s powertrain — the work that ensures your engine, drive unit, and associated systems go into hibernation in top shape so they’re ready to roar when you launch again.


Motor Tune-Up

This typically includes things such as:

  • Replacing spark plugs, inspecting ignition wires/coils and connections
  • Changing engine oil (and oil filter) if required before storage
  • Inspecting fuel system (fuel filters, stabilizer, fuel lines)
  • Flushing cooling passages (especially in salt or brackish water use)
  • Checking belts, hoses, battery condition, and other ancillary systems
  • While many of these tasks are “routine,” they are absolutely critical for reliability.


Outdrive (Sterndrive) Winter Service

The outdrive, whether it’s a traditional I/O sterndrive or an outboard lower unit, needs its own care:

  • Drain and refill the lower unit gear oil (or transmission/drive oil) — water intrusion or degraded lube over winter is a silent killer.
  • Inspect bellows, hoses, U-joints, gimbal bearings: the wear and tear of summer means you catch things now rather than in spring crisis.
  • Flush cooling water passages, apply fogging oil or corrosion inhibitors as required. Any residual water left in passages can freeze, expand, crack housings or manifolds.
  • Position the outdrive appropriately for storage (often down position) so residual water drains away and doesn’t collect and freeze.



In short: you’re protecting your engine and drive system from freezing damage, corrosion, fuel system issues, and surprise breakdowns.


At Yankee Boat, our certified technicians follow each manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. That means your engine, outdrive, and fuel systems are serviced the right way—every time. With our Worry-Free Service Option, we handle all the details so you can relax knowing your boat is ready for next season.


Now’s the perfect time to book before schedules fill up. Prevent costly spring surprises and keep your boat in peak condition all year long.


Schedule your service today with Yankee Boat — worry-free, reliable, and ready for spring.

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