I have a 2014 Freedom 225. My second summer. Can anyone direct me to instructions or a checklist with instructions on things I should do before I get in the water ? Engine was winterized/oil change by Marina , fresh and salt water systems as well . Would really appreciate some guidance so I can DIY these things to reduce costs ? I love this boat , what a find . Has 250 Yamaha.
Spring Commissioning
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Fishtales
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Off the top of my head...
If on the hard clean the bilge. If boat was positioned properly it should have been pitched aft and plug out. I'd remove it and hopefully the bilge water drains out. Use some pipe dope on the threads of the plug before installing. Make life easier when you remove at the end of the season.
Water separators were done or emptied at a minimum. If on the hard, pull the plug and wash down the bilge.
I change spark plugs every year, tstats every three. Charge batteries. Fill water and ensure all spickets work including head.
Flush and treat head - hopefully pumped before layup.
Verify windlass operational, if applicable shore power and generator operate.
Verify steering is operational before you leave the dock. Peek at the lines make sure no leaks or issues.
Run a few tank fills of water out of the system. The pink anti freeze will smell real bad if you leave it in there. Add tabs to clean the water per directions.
When you fire the engine, look for pee stream and watch temp gage, ensure it goes to full operating temp and all temp, charge etc all are normal.
Make sure all thru hull valves open and close easily. Fill fuel to top add double Yama Lube in the tank (just first tank) and burn down, added benefit of being at least a fresh mix. Then on just follow Yamalube directions.
Prob should test your bilge pumps. I usually block water channels and fill near each pump and verify they auto turn on.
Check all your motor and trim tab anodes. Should last 3 years. If you have a bow thruster do that one every year.
Check all safety gear and make sure in date.
Check ditch gear, ensure you have what you need. I'd also recommend a tub of Stay Afloat, some wooden tapers to bang in a thru hole if ever needed.
Check all electronics inc VHF. Ensure PLB or EPIRB within date.
I'm sure I missed a few. Pile on boys!
If on the hard clean the bilge. If boat was positioned properly it should have been pitched aft and plug out. I'd remove it and hopefully the bilge water drains out. Use some pipe dope on the threads of the plug before installing. Make life easier when you remove at the end of the season.
Water separators were done or emptied at a minimum. If on the hard, pull the plug and wash down the bilge.
I change spark plugs every year, tstats every three. Charge batteries. Fill water and ensure all spickets work including head.
Flush and treat head - hopefully pumped before layup.
Verify windlass operational, if applicable shore power and generator operate.
Verify steering is operational before you leave the dock. Peek at the lines make sure no leaks or issues.
Run a few tank fills of water out of the system. The pink anti freeze will smell real bad if you leave it in there. Add tabs to clean the water per directions.
When you fire the engine, look for pee stream and watch temp gage, ensure it goes to full operating temp and all temp, charge etc all are normal.
Make sure all thru hull valves open and close easily. Fill fuel to top add double Yama Lube in the tank (just first tank) and burn down, added benefit of being at least a fresh mix. Then on just follow Yamalube directions.
Prob should test your bilge pumps. I usually block water channels and fill near each pump and verify they auto turn on.
Check all your motor and trim tab anodes. Should last 3 years. If you have a bow thruster do that one every year.
Check all safety gear and make sure in date.
Check ditch gear, ensure you have what you need. I'd also recommend a tub of Stay Afloat, some wooden tapers to bang in a thru hole if ever needed.
Check all electronics inc VHF. Ensure PLB or EPIRB within date.
I'm sure I missed a few. Pile on boys!
I think what gets done in a winterization varies from marina to marina. I would ask whoever winterized my boat what I needed to do to make ready for putting in the water, and check their list, and everything else I could think of.
Make sure the plug is in, and make sure they actually put oil back in the motor, and the lower unit, when they changed it.
Make sure the plug is in, and make sure they actually put oil back in the motor, and the lower unit, when they changed it.
SkunkBoat
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https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Spring-Prep-Guide-to-Waking-Up-an-Outboard-Motor
https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Trailer-Spring-Prep
https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Top-Ten-Safety-Tips-for-New-Boaters
Are you on a trailer?
Trailer brake check, test lights...at least one of those two things won't work
Tire pressure, wheel bearing grease.
Do you know how to run a motor on ear muffs?
Make sure it pees...pee gets warm...temp gauge goes up and steadies out...no alarms
Look at gauges...idling at 600-700? fuel gauge works? not EMPTY?
Goes in and out of gear(make sure prop is clear..safe)
Shut off motor turn off water.
Check for gas smell in bilge...if none THEN.. Replace fuelfilter/water separator.
Turn on water and test motor again. You may have to squeeze the bulb. get the fuel line primed again.
Run awhile... shut off, start, shut off....Motor should start at the first turn of the key.
OK you can shut off water and move on.
test tilt and trim ...look at trim gauge (key on, motor does not have to be running)
test steering
test bilge pump(s) with the manual switch on the dash and by lifting the float switch.
check/clean battery connections
Test battery switch.
Test Horn!...Fix Horn!
Test Nav/Anchor lights.
Test all electronics. On a trailer you should immediately change the sonar to STOP TRANSMIT so you are not running it and potentially damaging the transducer
TEST EVERYTHING!
Check exp dates on all safety equip. Handheld/Aerial flares
Count and Inspect Life jackets/lights(battery)/whistles. Do you have correct sizes for the people who may be on your boat?
Check Fire Exstinguisher(s)
Sufficient amount of emergency rum in the cubby?
DON"T FORGET THE PLUG WHEN YOU LAUNCH! teflon tape and the proper open end wrech
https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Trailer-Spring-Prep
https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Top-Ten-Safety-Tips-for-New-Boaters
Are you on a trailer?
Trailer brake check, test lights...at least one of those two things won't work
Tire pressure, wheel bearing grease.
Do you know how to run a motor on ear muffs?
Make sure it pees...pee gets warm...temp gauge goes up and steadies out...no alarms
Look at gauges...idling at 600-700? fuel gauge works? not EMPTY?
Goes in and out of gear(make sure prop is clear..safe)
Shut off motor turn off water.
Check for gas smell in bilge...if none THEN.. Replace fuelfilter/water separator.
Turn on water and test motor again. You may have to squeeze the bulb. get the fuel line primed again.
Run awhile... shut off, start, shut off....Motor should start at the first turn of the key.
OK you can shut off water and move on.
test tilt and trim ...look at trim gauge (key on, motor does not have to be running)
test steering
test bilge pump(s) with the manual switch on the dash and by lifting the float switch.
check/clean battery connections
Test battery switch.
Test Horn!...Fix Horn!
Test Nav/Anchor lights.
Test all electronics. On a trailer you should immediately change the sonar to STOP TRANSMIT so you are not running it and potentially damaging the transducer
TEST EVERYTHING!
Check exp dates on all safety equip. Handheld/Aerial flares
Count and Inspect Life jackets/lights(battery)/whistles. Do you have correct sizes for the people who may be on your boat?
Check Fire Exstinguisher(s)
Sufficient amount of emergency rum in the cubby?
DON"T FORGET THE PLUG WHEN YOU LAUNCH! teflon tape and the proper open end wrech
Last edited:
Y'all gave a good list . If it's going to happen , it's going to happen out there boss. Captain Ron.
I always inspect my hoses and clamps on through hills..also, if you have pyrotechnic flares ,make sure they are not out of date . The Coast Guard will ding you. side note, I live in the sticks and I dispose of our date flares by setting them off. I have yet to ignite a flare that was of our date and it didn't actually do it's thing. Not saying we should keep them 20 years but I have set off flares that there were 3 years old and no issues .
Check your horn too. I think Skunk or fishtails hit the lists well.
I always inspect my hoses and clamps on through hills..also, if you have pyrotechnic flares ,make sure they are not out of date . The Coast Guard will ding you. side note, I live in the sticks and I dispose of our date flares by setting them off. I have yet to ignite a flare that was of our date and it didn't actually do it's thing. Not saying we should keep them 20 years but I have set off flares that there were 3 years old and no issues .
Check your horn too. I think Skunk or fishtails hit the lists well.
SkunkBoat
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SkunkBoat
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OH!
Close all thru hull valves before you launch. Once you are floating , open them one at a time and check for leaks
Close all thru hull valves before you launch. Once you are floating , open them one at a time and check for leaks
Have you ever changed the lower unit oil?
What about water pump?
If you haven't and you don't know when those items were last serviced, you should have that done. Same goes for spark plugs and gas filter.
Other than the lower unit oil, the other items don't necessarily have to be done annually.
The changing of the lower unit oil ( and maybe a pressure/vacuum test) should be done before winter storage in freezing locations. That is to protect the LU from freeze damage should it had had a leak that let water into the LU oil.
Many of the other items should be done regularly and not just as part of winterizing.( e.g, check nav lights, float switch operation etc.)
In your spare time search for videos about winterizing outboards. There are many.
SkunkBoat
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And because if there is water in the gear oil, getting the shaft seal replaced is going to take all winter. You don't want to find that in April or May....
I didn't go into service because he said the marina did the oil change.
Oh, you got to get the squirrel tails and heads out of the boat too. It's a perpetual problem for some. Nothing better than splashing the boat with friends and family and have a random squirrel head roll out . Talk about embarrassing.
My two cats use the boat as their lare in the fall. The boat is under cover in my boat barn. I don't shrink wrap it so they have access to the deck . I routinely find tails and heads . So that's a spring check thing for me.
My two cats use the boat as their lare in the fall. The boat is under cover in my boat barn. I don't shrink wrap it so they have access to the deck . I routinely find tails and heads . So that's a spring check thing for me.