Boat Winterization SERVICES
PREPARE YOUR BOAT FOR WINTER
Georgia weather is notoriously unpredictable and a boat not winterized when freezing weather sweeps through can be extremely costly. To winterize is to prepare the boat not only from freeze damage but successful off-season storage for a seamless start in the spring.
Level 1
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
- Draining the water from the engine block & exhaust
- Back-filling the cooling system with anti-freeze
- Stabilizing the fuel tank system
- Ask about: Be prepared for next boating year – Ask about post-season maintenance
- Premium fluids
- Customer Preference – At your request we will fog the engine. Additionally we can remove your battery terminal if that is how you choose to store your battery.
Level 2
OIL CHANGE FOR WINTER
- Draining the water from the engine block & exhaust
- Back-filling the cooling system with anti-freeze
- Stabilizing the fuel system
- Oil Change – Drain & replace engine oil & filter with OEM recommended fluids
- Ask about: Premium fluids
- Customer Preference – At your request we will fog the engine. Additionally we can remove your battery terminal if that is how you choose to store your battery.
Level 3
FLUIDS & FILTERS
- Draining the water from the engine block & exhaust
- Back-filling the cooling system with anti-freeze
- Stabilizing the fuel tank system
- Oil Change – Drain & replace oil with OEM recommended fluids
- Lower Unit fluid & vent seals/gaskets replacement
- Customer Preference – At your request we will fog the engine. Additionally we can remove your battery terminal if that is how you choose to store your battery.
Winterization is a necessary part of boat maintenance. Winterization prevents cracks in the engine or the exhaust system that can happen due to the water freezing.
LAKESIDE MARINE TWO-STEP WINTERIZE METHOD
Lakeside Marine and Motorsports utilizes a two-step winterize method which starts with adding fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank first. We do this because while most service facilities do this right before they leave. Our method allows the stabilizer to spread throughout the entire tank as well as get drawn into the fuel line – stabilizing not only the tank itself but the fuel lines, filters, injector rails, injectors, carburetor bowls – the ENTIRE fuel system. After stabilizing the fuel we start and run the engine(s) bringing them up to operating temperature. This ensures the full cooling system is “open” when the antifreeze is added.
We have discovered over the thousands of engines we have winterized that this method also significantly reduces impeller failure upon spring start up. When the system is drained and the rubber impellers sit dry for months without moving, the sudden cranking of them in the spring often shears blades off instantly causing overheats on the first moments of the first boat ride – not a way we want to start our boating year! We are proud to stand behind our quality work and ensure our winterizations safely protect your boating investment – improving both your equipment and your family’s time on the water!
We offer a few different packages here but remember – all our winterizations are done the same. The packages are just some different service packages to some of the most common things performed at the end of the boating season with some savings built in versus getting these done ala carte. If you need further services we would price them as usual and then apply a discount according to the level of service offered.
After the motor reaches operating temperature, our technicians remove all brass plugs, quick drain / blue plugs, quick drains, etc., (whatever style of drain your engine has) and drains the exhaust, block, manifold, etc. of all the “sea water” – meaning as much as possible that could freeze. Every single engine configuration has a “low” spot that will hold at least some water (another reason we only offer one method of winterization) so we re-install all the plugs and flush from the drive / lower unit intake up with antifreeze until the exhaust discharges the tell-tale pink, meaning the antifreeze has backfilled the entire cooling system and is now overflowing out, meaning the entire system is now protected.
LAKESIDE MARINE AND MOTORSPORTS WINTERIZATION GUARANTEE
Our winterization should be considered a full, true, or complete winterization. We do not offer any winterizations that offer more or less protection than another. At Lakeside Marine and Motorsports we want everyone to be 100% comfortable with the work performed and rest assured they made the right choice. For starters, our winterizations do not require a technician returning back to your boat to summarize it for you (incurring additional costs). We leave the boat ready to go back into the water unless the customer requests us to disconnect the battery lead(s). We have seen many instances where a lesser service was provided, resulting in a cooling passage with blockage – creating internal cracking, intake manifolds not being properly drained; “quick drains” getting missed in hard to reach locations causing unnecessary and costly repairs – and worse, more down time!
Please Read: Additional Services on Request
Please ask your service advisor about the following services. We naturally assume these are not issues, and will only perform these winterization services when necessary at the request of the customer.
- *Additional services on request include: removing battery leads and fogging the intake
- **More than 3 gallons anti-freeze will be charged extra.
- ***Ask about Premium fluids and filters & lower unit filter replacement
- All services are a basic estimate. To receive an accurate quote, please call us with details about your boat. Pricing is based on a variety of factors including type of fluids, services received, and type of winterization
Battery Lead Removal
Battery lead removal is a service to prevent discharge if no battery tender is going to be left attached.
Fog the Intake Manifold
Upon request our technician will fog the intake manifold. Some people choose to do this while others do not. The primary candidate for this is someone who plans to really let their boat sit for an extended period. A large amount of our customers opt out of this as it can often cause premature spark plug failure. Our service advisor can help with this decision.
Winterize Additional Systems - Plumbing, Ballast Bags, Etc.
Upon request our technicians can winterize your additional systems. An additional system is something in addition to a boat motor that needs to be winterized. A sink or toilet for instance. A ballast bag that holds water or maybe your ski boat has a heater for cold weather boating. These are susceptible to damage from freezing and need to be winterized. We charge per system since every single boat is unique and a lot of people choose to never utilize their toilets or sinks, etc therefore do not need to be winterized. We do not assume someone wants us to and instead leave it up to the customer what they want done.
Fluids & Filters - Lower Unit Servicing
Commonly referred to as “fluids and filters” on a boat. This would include draining and refilling the lower unit fluid with the proper gear oil. In every drive service we replace both the drain and vent seals/gaskets. This is included in the listed price.
Transmission/v-Drive Drain & Fill - Filter Replacement
If you have an inboard boat (without lower unit) this same price would apply for a transmission/v-drive drain and fill. The filter can be replaced by request only for the additional cost of the filter and time. See your service advisor for details.
Premium Fluids
Lakeside Marine and Motorsports offers *OEM fluids and filters in every single oil change. If you have a MerCruiser – you get the manufacturer recommended oil and weight from MerCruiser for that specific engine. Got a Volvo Penta? You guessed it – factory Volvo Penta parts and fluids to protect your engine.
*OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer
Fall Proactive Boat Maintenance Program
- oil/ filter change
- drive service fluid change
- top-off engine fluids
- top-off hydraulic fluids
- inspect steering, tilt, and trim hydraulics
- grease all fittings
- air filter maintenance
- fuel filter replacement
- belt inspection
- battery strength and charging inspection
- wiring and connection inspection
- 18 point bow to stern inspection
- transport service available
A Full List of Fall Boat
Services to Consider:
- oil change
- drive service/ lower end service
- bellows and gimbal inspection
- power tilt maintenance
- trim tab maintenance
- steering system checks and inspection
- throttle/ shift maintenance
- top-off engine fluids
- top-off hydraulic fluids
- air filter maintenance
- fuel filter replacement
- belt inspection/ replacement
- ignition tune up
- new spark plugs and wires
- check battery strength and charging
- inspect wiring and connections
- fire extinguisher and CO2 system checks
- bottom painting
- detailing with wash, wax, and interior cleaning
Back to School
Boat Schedule
At the end of the summer it’s time to take note of all the things on your boat that aren’t working 100% correctly. Fall is a time of year to look ahead and get maintenance done now while issues are fresh in mind.
Create a punch list of items that need to be addressed, or a wish list of upgrades you’ve wanted to get accomplished. Come spring, you’ll be glad you acted now.
Fall is also a time to look ahead and pre-reserve your boat winterization service and schedule your boat for storage. By planning ahead, you’ll get vital services performed on time before a sudden change in autumn weather catches you off guard.
- Oil change,
- Out drive or lower end fluid change
- Impeller service
- Tune-up
- Power trim service
- Fuel line inspection
- Stereo or electronics upgrades
- Throttle and Steering inspection
- Fiberglass Repair
- air filter maintenance
- Custom LED lighting installation
Fall is the start of the boat maintenance season. The steps you take in addressing repairs, performing preventative maintenance, and handling the routine maintenance NOW set the tone for your next boating season. You’ll want to prepare your boat for the upcoming season, and at the same time, address all of your boat’s operational and performance issues while they are still fresh in your mind.
“Out of sight, out of mind” should not apply to maintaining your boat. Don’t suddenly let your memory be jogged with repair issues in the springtime when you should be ready to go out and enjoy boating. Meanwhile, the marina shop is jam-packed with service customers. The wise boat owner plans ahead and does maintenance in the fall and winter seasons when shop technicians can give your precious craft their fullest attention.
Fall boat service is often performed in conjunction with boat winterization. By addressing all of your boat maintenance and repair issues in the fall, you are preparing your boat for a seamless launch in the spring.
Here’s what our fall service includes:
Inspection and software updates
Our fall service is more than just a standard winterization. Upon arrival, our 5-star certified technicians do a thorough 40-point inspection on your boat to get a baseline for its current condition. From there, we install all recommended software updates and service bulletins from the manufacturer. Our goal is to keep your boat in top running condition at all times.
Freeze protection
Next, we apply an anti-corrosive, marine-grade antifreeze, stabilize your fuel, and winterize any ballast systems. The key here is freeze protection.
Upgrades
We take care of any upgrades that you’d like to have ready for next season. Common upgrades include adding underwater lighting, heating, sound systems, and cruise control. When scheduling your fall service appointment, be sure to make note of any upgrades you’d like to do this off-season, so you won’t have to miss any days on the water during boating season.
ALSO SEE OUR:
SERVICE AREA: Located in Gainesville, GA and serving all of the surrounding Lake Lanier Communities including Hall County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and Dawson County.
CALL (678) 322-7877 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. travel fees apply for mobile service.
Customer Service:
(678) 322-7877
Email:
customerservice@lakesidemarine.com
Location:
9605 Jot Em Down Rd. Gainesville, GA 30506
Business Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday