Boat issues, maybe time to winterize

[dubob]

@Mildog

Kent’s Strawberry report and his issue with motor made me think I would share a recent issue with my new boat. Maybe time to do a few things to get boat ready for winter if not using it even if. 
After the record breaking rain we had I went out to measure my overall dimensions as I was thing of renting a storage unit for the snowy season. I saw that my motor was trimmed up to max!! Not the position I store it in?? Went to trim it down no worky up or down !! Occam’s razor theory, (simplest answer) made me think water in switch caused it to short in up position possibly blowing fuse switch relays or trim  motor. I checked as much as I was comfortable doing, then made appt. With dealer to get it fixed and serviced. I was surprised how far out the appointment was. Seems like lots of people winterizing boats. If you don’t service It yourself, it might be a good time to get appt to take it in. i was going to do it but I needed to take it in and cost was not much more than buying all the stuff to do it. , also would have record of getting it done for warranty etc. since it was first service. Short story, it appears wate did get into the switch, it shorted it in the trim up position then it burned out trim motor. Mercury is covering under warranty. Boat was covered but those record rains allowed enough to work under the cover soaking the only carpeted area up front under Minnkota where cover attaches that it wicked or ran down and worked its way into the trim switch in the bow. Another thing I observed was a little water dripping out of boat drain, as I looked at the boat on the trailer I realized the back of boat was not the lowest point. I wondered if there could be more water In The low point? I put a cinder block near the Jack wheel and used a long 2x4 to lift it onto the block. My auto bilge then Kicked on and fired out many gallons of water!!! Note to self store on cinder block in upper position from now on!!
My boat did not come with battery cutt off switch ( note in battery compartment battery cutt cut-off required if 1000 cca battery, mine had 850 cca battery) I have one I bought had for a while, just had not installed,  I am installing!!!) I thinking had it not been powered it probably would not have shorted and not burnt out motor? Also what If it trimmed down while towing could cause real problems or damage!!
So just passing along thoughts of doing a few simple things now may eliminate issues for next season, stabil in gas, remove batteries and put inside garage, trickle charger over winter , make sure plug is out and the nose is high enough to drain. Maybe a tarp over cover even if cover is waterproof water still seems to find a way in and cause damage.just doing a few small things will help for when you next need to use your boat! 
Good fishing !!

Bummer!  Thank goodness I have a pole barn to store all my toys.  I guess I need to call Rogers Marine and get on the schedule.  Thanks for the reminder.

[wiperhunter2]

Bummer on the boat problems but lucky your boat is still under warranty. Years ago when I ungraded to my first bigger boat, I invested in a carport awning for my boat. It cost 1,400 at the time but it is 20 x 21’ and I can put my boat in at an angle, so the whole boat is covered and only the tongue is exposed. Of course you can always pay more for a longer carport but I’m fine with the size I got because it protects the boat.

](IMG 20251101 120351388 BURST001 — Postimages)

[Mildog]

That looks great, I’m looking at options on metal poles/roof carports as well. I have room for a 12x20 that would pretty much shelter the entire boat, just a bit of the trailer tongue might stick out. I do have folding tongue so would not be much! There are some pretty solid looking kits for reasonable price that would pay for themselves with the high cost of storage units.

[lovetofish]

Winterized mine yesterday. Pulled the batteries and put them on trickle chargers. Put Sta-Bil in the gas tank. Bought a winter tarp 3 weeks ago and put that on. Next spring I need to waterproof the boat cover.

Now I’ll use my Sea Eagle to fish with until ice up.

](IMG 2122 — Postimages)

[wiperhunter2]

@Mildog

That looks great, I’m looking at options on metal poles/roof carports as well. I have room for a 12x20 that would pretty much shelter the entire boat, just a bit of the trailer tongue might stick out. I do have folding tongue so would not be much! There are some pretty solid looking kits for reasonable price that would pay for themselves with the high cost of storage units.

Here is one, like you are looking for:
https://www.coast-to-coastcarports.com/12x21x6-regular-carport

I haven’t checked but that price was what they charge, to bring it to your place and install it. They installed mine in 4 hours.

[Kent]

I also experienced the pleasure of having my trim motor turn itself on and burn up the trim motor. I immediately installed a Perko switch that I faithfully turn off after trailering my boat. It has worked like a charm, but is a real pain to have to remove the back of the tarp, to get to the switch, when I need to access the boat at home.

[Paddler]

@Kent

I also experienced the pleasure of having my trim motor turn itself on and burn up the trim motor.  I immediately installed a Perko switch that I faithfully turn off after trailering my boat.  It has worked like a charm, but is a real pain to have to remove the back of the tarp, to get to the switch, when I need to access the boat at home.

I just keep my boat in the garage all the time.  No winterizing required, no watered switches, etc.

[Bduck]

I keep mine garaged all of the time. I have Yamaha motors, when in storage it is best to trim down leaving it at a slight angle up, the max trim position before it starts going full up is where my setting is. This allows the oil to drain down to the pan and not back into the cylinders which Yami’s are notorious for, this is so you don’t get the oil burn on startup.
Next, I have an onboard smart charger that maintains both AGM batteries. The garage allows me to keep check on certain things periodically with boat and perform tasks or maintenance when need.
Often thought about purchasing about a 30’ shipping container and modifying it with a personnel door and maybe a window, been wanting some place to keep all my fishing equipment and as a little shop.

[dubob]

@Bduck

Often thought about purchasing about a 30’ shipping container and modifying it with a personnel door and maybe a window, been wanting some place to keep all my fishing equipment and as a little shop.

Here ya go Roger; check it out.  

Shipping Container Workshops 2025: The Ultimate Guide

[k2muskie]

When we got our 3rd Lund we asked Rogers to keep the shipping covers for boat and motors. Been using these covers for 5 years now on big boat. Purchased another Transhield for our little Lund we got last year…picture is of our big boat now in winter hibernation. You can purchase Transhield from Amazon.

](IMG 4183 — Postimages)

[Mildog]

The shipping cover looks great I had a buddy tell
Me he was able to get one from a dealer. Perfect to go over everything .
I’m either going to put in a storage unit for a few months or do the carport. I see some kits that two people can put up in a few hours. I’ll figure a whole day ?, if I decide to do it!
Lots of good info. I also have a Perko battery cutt off I will install. I was surprised to find out water infiltration shorting the trim switch is not that uncommon. Maybe they need to build better “waterproof switches?

[Kent]

@Paddler

@Kent

I also experienced the pleasure of having my trim motor turn itself on and burn up the trim motor.  I immediately installed a Perko switch that I faithfully turn off after trailering my boat.  It has worked like a charm, but is a real pain to have to remove the back of the tarp, to get to the switch, when I need to access the boat at home.

I just keep my boat in the garage all the time.  No winterizing required, no watered switches, etc.

My trim motor burned up while I was driving from home to the ramp.

[Bduck]

@dubob

@Bduck

Often thought about purchasing about a 30’ shipping container and modifying it with a personnel door and maybe a window, been wanting some place to keep all my fishing equipment and as a little shop.

Here ya go Roger; check it out.  

Shipping Container Workshops 2025: The Ultimate Guide

:) Thanks Bob for the encouragement. I’ve been looking at many containers from basic to some converted. I like my money where I have it, in my pocket. If I can roll back 10yrs of my life at least I would be all over this in a purchase.

[PBH]

Millburn? Or Cliff? LOL.

Sorry. Couldn’t help it. Reading this thread I just kept thinking about Cliff at Powell in a bass tournament running his boat everywhere in reverse because his wires got crossed. I’m still trying to figure out if he meant the boat, or his own wires.

[dubob]

@PBH

Millburn?  Or Cliff?  LOL.

Sorry.  Couldn’t help it.  Reading this thread I just kept thinking about Cliff at Powell in a bass tournament running his boat everywhere in reverse because his wires got crossed.  I’m still trying to figure out if he meant the boat, or his own wires.

???

With Cliff, one never knew for sure.

[wiperhunter2]

@Mildog

That looks great, I’m looking at options on metal poles/roof carports as well. I have room for a 12x20 that would pretty much shelter the entire boat, just a bit of the trailer tongue might stick out. I do have folding tongue so would not be much! There are some pretty solid looking kits for reasonable price that would pay for themselves with the high cost of storage units.

Just found another one with a better deal;
WUKHG 12x25FT Heavy Duty Metal Carport, Outdoor Carport Canopy with Iron Roof, Durable All-Weather Carport for Cars, Trucks, Boats & Outdoor Equipment, Easy Quick-Install Assembly - Walmart.com

[Mildog]

Thanks, I’m looking at one that’s 11x20 it fits my area a bit better than a 12ft Wide one and it has vertical channels instead of horizontal so the snow should slide off better. It’s about 699 free shipping. Gets solid ratings
Might try that??

[Kent]

@Mildog

Thanks, I’m looking at one that’s 11x20 it fits my area a bit better than a 12ft Wide one and it has vertical channels instead of horizontal so the snow should slide off better. It’s about 699 free shipping. Gets solid ratings
Might try that??

Please post a link.

[wiperhunter2]

@Mildog

Thanks, I’m looking at one that’s 11x20 it fits my area a bit better than a 12ft Wide one and it has vertical channels instead of horizontal so the snow should slide off better. It’s about 699 free shipping. Gets solid ratings
Might try that??

Mine has vertical channels but I had to pay extra to get them. Sounds like yours is a better price but how thick are the vertical supports and trusses?

[Mildog]

Say it’s will handle 10 inches of snow load and 80mph winds when anchored properly.