Bramlett also said to leave your engine trimmed down to prevent water from collecting in the exhaust outlet around your prop. Water that stands and freezes in the lower unit can cause some real damage. While you are there, remove the prop and check to see if there is any fishing line etc. around the hub. This can cause damage to seals and end up costing you.

Disconnecting your batteries is a good idea too. Critters can chew wires and cause a short, electrical equipment can accidentally get left on, and children may try to crank you engine for you.

If you have an OMC engine with a VRO pump, unhook the line from VRO pump to prevent oil from seeping into your carburetors and gumming them up.

Bramlett said that inboards are a whole different creature and it’s safest to take it to someone who knows what they are doing to winterize them.

These steps are an “ounce of prevention.” It’s easy to put things like this off, but the sooner the better if you plan on storing your boat. And if you are considering the few bucks you can save by not winterizing your boat, just go to a dealership and check the prices of a new engine, or ask their hourly rates for service, it may put things into right perspective.