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What Goes into a CM Winterize?

Sep. 19 2025 Information By Captain's Marine

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What’s All the Fuss About Winterizing Your Boat?

You might be thinking, “Winterize? But I just had it summerized!” We get it, but making sure your boat is properly prepped before being stored for the winter is one of the most important steps in keeping it in top shape.

Here’s something we want to emphasize: not all winterizing services are created equal. If you're seeing rock-bottom prices around the valley, be cautious. Those quick, cheap winterizes often only include draining water from your engine. That’s it. They typically don’t include reinstalling hoses, replacing drain plugs, or even running antifreeze through the system. These are considered the bare minimum.


So, What Actually Goes Into a Proper Winterize?

At Captain’s Marine, we take winterizing seriously. We use detailed checklists customized to each engine type to make sure nothing gets overlooked. Whether you have an inboard, outboard, or I/O engine, or you’re just looking for a basic winterize, our team follows a specialized process designed for your specific setup.

Here are the different winterize checklists we use:

  • Inboard Winterize Checklist

  • Outboard Winterize Checklist

  • I/O Winterize Checklist

  • Basic Winterize Checklist

Even our basic winterize covers more than what you'll find at those budget spots. But we don’t stop there.


Our Full-Service Winterize Includes:

  • Draining and protecting the engine with antifreeze

  • Reinstalling hoses and drain plugs

  • Oil change

  • Oil filter replacement

  • Fuel filter replacement

  • Gear lube change

  • Stern drive/drive service (including drive removal and engine alignment check)

  • A full inspection for any manufacturer-recommended annual services

  • Identifying any potential maintenance needs for winter or early spring so you're ready to hit the water without delays


If you're curious about what goes into a full winterization, our Service Department would be happy to walk you through it, step by step.

At Captain’s Marine, keeping your boat in excellent condition isn’t just a service. It's our top priority.