what do I need to do?         to store my boat

It depends on a few things..........

Where and for how long will it be stored?

Inside, outside etc.....

Details brotha....

GT

inside 5 to 6 months

Let me tell you how I do it (my jet lives in the garage).

Change the engine oil and filter.

Marvel Mystery the motor before shutting off. (called fogging).

Drain the carburetor of all fuel (I have an electric fuel pump so no brainer).

Drain all the water out of the block (and exhaust if applicable).

Fill the gas tanks and add a stabilizer (I use Lucas).

Remove the battery cables and add a tender charger and check the water level (top off if needed w/distilled water).

Hit the grease zerks on the steering cable, trailer bearing Buddy's and the front pump bearing (to push out water).

Spray the tires down with Good Year tire protector (works better than No Touch IMO)

A good coat of wax.

Pull all of the seat cushions and flip them over and make sure they're dry.

Spray all the aluminum and chrome with Amsoil's MP (metal protector) Spray to keep from oxidizing, dont forget the throttle pedal, cable and Place Diverter parts.

Shove old Tee Shirts into the headers outlets (too broke to buy cozies).

I have a plastic cover that came with a new carb I bought years ago, I put that in place of the flame arrestor to keep moisture under control...

Wait for the rains to stop so I can get it back out 

GT

If your running a big cam you will want to back off the rocker arms.

Im glad this thread is here, i would not have done this

Didn't even think about it, makes total sense.

And GT........
Marvel Mystery the motor before shutting off. (called fogging).

I always wondered what that meant. Thanks 

hey gt .........Marvel Mystery the motor before shutting off. (called fogging)...........
what do you mean put it in then run the boat...........  and yes im a dumb shtt 
thanks for your help guys

 got it

If you run your boat only in fresh water and store it in a hested shop is it still important to get the water out ? what about getting some sort of rust inhibitor or coolant in place of the water

IMHO water out.

 I run soapy water through the system before lay up. It is the cheapest fastest way to "seal up" the exposed iron and slow the effects of oxidization..Been doing it since the late 80's on customer boat winterizations and the amount of rust and brackish water coming out of the motor during the first test run of the season is reduced big time. Comes out black and smelly if its brackish, the black is iron oxide)

I used a Hudson Sprayer with about 3 oz. of Dawn Dish washing liquid and just push it in with the hose, let it sit for a little bit, then drain it dry. The soap will dry and form a protective coating....

Believe it or not, this is how copper fittings come from the hardware store, otherwise they would be either brown (like an old penny) or even greenish, by dipping them in soap, it keeps the air from getting to the copper causing the patina...

Sorry for the book.

I was proud of our shops winterizations.....

GT

sorry to be stupid but I dont understand how you push it in and where thanks Gord and i understand that that line opens me up for all kinds of abusive comment

I have this old Hudson sprayer (old weed killer sprayer) with no spray attatchment and put in about two gallons of water and a couple ounces of soap (I use Dawn). Pull the hose off the jetpump (mine has a brass garden hose coupling) and litterally pump the sprayer bottle until its empty. It's just soapy water, so it wont hurt anything.

Works like a champ...I sorta feel like I'm giving up all my secrets in here...LOL   

GT

ok say I go run my boat about every 5 to 8 weeks   ..(it a socal thing)..   do I still need to winterize it or can I just shut the fuel pump off and run it dry or just leave it the way it is

I just go outside and fire it up about once a week! yesterday i put some marvel in it though....got about a month left of boating so just 4 more weeks the motor has to make it! for winterizing here in vegas cause it does freeze here...i make sure there is no water in the block and i run the boat till the bowls are empty...hasnt seemed to be an issue yet! been considering the antifreeze dealio...

I just go outside and fire it up about once a week! yesterday i put some marvel in it though....got about a month left of boating so just 4 more weeks the motor has to make it! for winterizing here in vegas cause it does freeze here...i make sure there is no water in the block and i run the boat till the bowls are empty...hasnt seemed to be an issue yet! been considering the antifreeze dealio...

Never really thought you guys got the freezin ass temps all that much   How about the battery tender ???you use one of those, I cant say enough about them, and the money you can save on batteries

Back in the late 90's, we had a week long frost in this area (not normal) I peronally replaced over 150 engine blocks due to cracks...


Draining the water takes mere minutes.

GT

Oil your headers between the tubes so they dont rust!

Bassett recomends WD40