One of the most common questions the Service Department at Mercury Marine receives is this: “What should I do to get my boat ready for winter storage?” Mercury Marine is located in Wisconsin, so we can relate to that question pretty well. Some lucky boat owners – such as those in those in South Florida and parts of the Gulf – don’t even know what we’re talking about.

Most people are surprised to find out what’s involved in properly maintaining an outboard. You can baby your boat and motor all summer long, but if you don’t handle the necessary upkeep prior to storage you could be in for a world of trouble later on.

Let’s use a Mercury 60 hp EFI FourStroke for today’s example. The owner’s and service manuals for this particular engine recommend that maintenance be performed once per year or every 100 hours, whichever comes first. If you’re familiar with outboards and are mechanically inclined, you can perform this maintenance yourself. We recommend you purchase a service manual so you can ensure you are covering all appropriate bases. Otherwise, make an appointment with a local authorized dealer and let them handle the work while you relax.

So what are you looking at every year on this 60 hp FourStroke? Well, you should start by checking and lubricating all the lubrication points on the engine. Next, change the engine oil and the oil filter. Inspect the thermostat, spark plugs, fuel filter, and battery. Check the timing belt for cracks or wear. Oh . . . you’ll need to drain and change the gearcase lubricant as well. Then fill the fuel tank and engine fuel system with stabilized fuel to help prevent formation of varnish and gum. Last, but not least, remove the spark plugs and inject a small amount of engine oil inside each cylinder and then rotate the flywheel several times to distribute the oil.

As you can see, there’s more to maintaining an outboard than most people realize. But hey, you wouldn’t buy a new car and ignore the manufacturer’s suggestion to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles and have the tires rotated at certain intervals, would you? Try these steps and you should find they prevent major issues down the road. So, be prepared to spend a bit of money for maintenance and save a whole bunch in the long run!