So I began the process of storing my boat for the winter.

First step was emptying all the tackle I keep in it.  That tackle takes up 2/3 of my workbench.

What isn't pictured, because it's behind all this, is my buzz and spinnerbaits, paddletail swimbaits, and a peg board that runs the full 7ft. length of the workbench filled with tube baits.

Next up, putting the trailer up on jack stands, removing the wheels and greasing up the axle bearings.

@papajoe222…Do you pull the hub and repack the bearings or just pump grease with a buddy bearing type thing.

When I had to winterize, I never minded the boat part of it, but I disliked the trailer part of it. 

I pump out any water using the Bearing Buddys and pull the hubs, flush and repack the bearings in the spring.

On 11/8/2024 at 4:54 AM, GRiver said:

@papajoe222…Do you pull the hub and repack the bearings or just pump grease with a buddy bearing type thing.

 

Last year I moved the boat from garage down to my shop for winter storage. Changed engine oil+filter, spark plugs, bottom end lubricant, and shot some grease in the bearing buddies. Full tank of ethanol free, alcohol free gasoline, and called it good. Shop is unheated...left the batteries in the boat and the charger plugged in all winter. Worked just fine (contactect charger manufacturer and they said leave it plugged in all winter). 

 

This winter I'm keeping the boat in the garage, and plan to work on the Chevy K-20 restoration in the shop.

 

I will likely pull the bearing buddies and repack the bearings on the boat trailer, and do all the required maintenance on the Lund here in the next few weeks. 

Bass Trek is in the unheated garage, rods on the rack in the 'Fishing Room', reels in the storage drawers, tackle boxes on a shelving unit. misc items (spare PFD, tool box, etc) on shelves. Motor is on a dolly in the basement, I plan on doing some maintenance on it. Starting battery in the basement, TM and 'house' battery left in boat on charger. Trailer up on jack-stands, come spring, I'll re-grease the axle bearings and fill the tires.

I also did maintenance on my two canoes. I set the Kevlar canoe on sawhorses in my garage and I pulled the Royalex canoe from the water and flipped it.  

I hate to admit this, I am bad about trailer maintenance.

My boat stays on the water so I never use it. Only once a year when I do boat maintenance and it never travels more than 1/2 mile.

This year I’ve got to get tires, including spare and I think I’ll

re-bearing, races and seals. Wanting to try another area so I want to make it road ready.

My boat is on the trailer….. it’s in ICU

Winterizarion? You mean put gloves and a beanie on right?

 

While you're working on your boat and trailer, here's a few often overlooked items to check:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I may be new to this....but what is winter? 

LOL.....

6 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

Winterizarion? You mean put gloves and a beanie on right?

This is how i do it in PA.

I feel bad for you guys that stop for the winter, i dont know how you get through it not fishing.

 

@MediumMouthBass I either want it cold enough to ice fish or warm enough the water doesn’t freeze. I hate those inbetween years where it’s frozen but, not hard enough to ice fish. 

1 hour ago, MediumMouthBass said:

This is how i do it in PA.

I feel bad for you guys that stop for the winter, i dont know how you get through it not fishing.

 

Thanks you so much for your concern.

And you're right, it can be a little rugged at times.

But the reward for waiting out the long hard water season

is fishing for bass that have been totally unmolested for several months.

So perhaps you could take solace in that. 

A-Jay

 

I say this every year around this time. To all you guys/gals that get to open-water fish all year 'round, I hate you. 

What is this “winterization”?   Never heard of it in Mississippi 

42 minutes ago, sorethumb said:

What is this “winterization”?   Never heard of it in Mississippi 

It something folks who live in areas that generally don't experience

Hurricanes, Floods, Sink Holes, Land Slides & Wild Fires do

right before Holliday season.

Stay Safe.

A-Jay

 

26 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

It something folks who live in areas that generally don't experience

Hurricanes, Floods, Sink Holes, Land Slides & Wild Fires do

right before Holliday season.

Stay Safe.

A-Jay

 

 

Don't forget sharks and alligators. 

Better sharks and alligators to not fishing all year.

Here in NC - we put on a sweater and fish the frog a little slower.  😂😂😂

Sharks, hurricanes, and gators ain't nothin' compared to the perils of New England, where the ghosts of Puritans atop moose ride with the Headless Horseman, all hoping to sup the blood of bassheads. 

45 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

Sharks, hurricanes, and gators ain't nothin' compared to the perils of New England, where the ghosts of Puritans on moose ride with the Headless Horseman, all hoping to sup the blood of bassheads. 

Wasn't sure, but apparently A few mushrooms can still be found

on Maine's forest floor.

Might be a long winter.

A-Jay

@A-Jay: Hey, I'm just reporting what I've seen. 😉

 

23 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

@A-Jay: Hey, I'm just reporting what I've seen. 😉

 

I’m not saying I have in the past 🙄

but next time you’re roaming around in the woods, pick a few for me. You don’t need to send them to me, I’ll just fly out on my magic carpet to get ‘em. 

On 11/10/2024 at 1:44 PM, crypt said:

I may be new to this....but what is winter? 

LOL.....

 

In Florida it means you switch from your windbreaker to a hoodie to keep warm.

 

Allen

I winterized my Ranger the last week of October. I pay the dealer shop I bought the boat at to do it, as they give me a discount for being a loyal customer.

 

I paid $247.50 for it. They also point out any issues if they find them and address those if they’re in the “minor” status. I didn’t have any issues this time around.

 

My boat sits in my insulated, unheated garage all winter. Even when it’s bitter cold out, my garage stays pretty warm. I have a ceiling fan in there for air circulation.

 

This past week I pulled the old on board charger and will be installing the new one when I have time and will power.

 

I don’t mind having an off-season. There’s more to life than bass fishing.