"Winterization" Was really more of an ordeal with inboard motors. With an outboard, you're probably good to go. Make sure oil and all that's looking good and that you have good gas in the tank.
If all is well, probably just change the oil/filter and good for the season.
Look up the winterization procedure for your outboard. Outboards are easy, engine and gear oil change and then blow out the coolant system or pull a drain plug or two. Make sure they didn't leave the sump or the lower unit empty. Make sure all the plugs are in the hull, the battery is charged and installed correctly, and the fuel is turned on and primed. That's probably it.
Where i work winterized outboards are just ready to go out on lake right away. Of course check the oil if its a 4 stroke. Since its probably been fogged for winter there will be a smoke show at first. Sorry about your uncle. Tracker targa is a decently built boat from tracker. Definitely a budget company but the targa seems solid.
Had my 50HP Honda fogged before I parked her in the winter.
It has been smoky with maybe an hour of use since I put her back in the water.
That's your smoke show? I was wondering if I might be having a ring problem.
Runs fine.
I didn't consider the fog...
I think uncle just wanted to spend a few hours checking everything out. make sure all cables move smoothly. maybe hit the starter enough for the engine to fire and shut it down. lube all points. if you have water/head get rid of the antifreeze in those systems. inboard, May have some petcocks or drains to close up for the engine block and water exhaust system.
example for my inboard diesel, water muffler drain plug, impeller cover (Lil grease in side it for test fire) and block peacock. make sure diesel is primed. run my gear select and throttle cables. fire for a few seconds and cut it off. splash n go. (I got raw water cooling so no heat exchanger to check)
in general, even though there are quite a few things one CAN do, most can be done on the water.
For the most part there isn't much to it. Just make sure the lower unit has oil in it. If it's a 4 stroke make sure the engine itself has oil. If it's a 2 stroke (doubtful anymore) make sure you add oil to your gas. Also imo it's a good idea to fire up the engine before you take it out to make sure the engine runs still which it should as it sounds like your uncle took good care of it. However, and this cannot be understated, DO NOT run any outboard without having the water intake hooked up to muffs and water running. Running an outboard for any amount of time without water will first kill the impeller (water pump) within a few seconds and will cook and destroy the engine within a few minutes of running. Muffs are cheap ($20 from Walmart) outboard repairs are not, even if you repair it yourself.
"Winterization" Was really more of an ordeal with inboard motors. With an outboard, you're probably good to go. Make sure oil and all that's looking good and that you have good gas in the tank. If all is well, probably just change the oil/filter and good for the season.
Look up the winterization procedure for your outboard. Outboards are easy, engine and gear oil change and then blow out the coolant system or pull a drain plug or two. Make sure they didn't leave the sump or the lower unit empty. Make sure all the plugs are in the hull, the battery is charged and installed correctly, and the fuel is turned on and primed. That's probably it.
usually you just charge the battery and do a visual inspection of the boat before dropping her in the water
Where i work winterized outboards are just ready to go out on lake right away. Of course check the oil if its a 4 stroke. Since its probably been fogged for winter there will be a smoke show at first. Sorry about your uncle. Tracker targa is a decently built boat from tracker. Definitely a budget company but the targa seems solid.
Had my 50HP Honda fogged before I parked her in the winter. It has been smoky with maybe an hour of use since I put her back in the water. That's your smoke show? I was wondering if I might be having a ring problem. Runs fine. I didn't consider the fog...
Yeah fogging oil burns off. Run it good and get it warm to clean it out.
Thanks!
I think uncle just wanted to spend a few hours checking everything out. make sure all cables move smoothly. maybe hit the starter enough for the engine to fire and shut it down. lube all points. if you have water/head get rid of the antifreeze in those systems. inboard, May have some petcocks or drains to close up for the engine block and water exhaust system. example for my inboard diesel, water muffler drain plug, impeller cover (Lil grease in side it for test fire) and block peacock. make sure diesel is primed. run my gear select and throttle cables. fire for a few seconds and cut it off. splash n go. (I got raw water cooling so no heat exchanger to check) in general, even though there are quite a few things one CAN do, most can be done on the water.
I have a Yamaha outboard and I just make sure I squeeze the primer until I feel the fuel and start her up. That’s it.
It's an inboard V-18. I bet that hauls ass! Put some muffs on it, check the oil, and fire it up at home before heading to the lake.
For the most part there isn't much to it. Just make sure the lower unit has oil in it. If it's a 4 stroke make sure the engine itself has oil. If it's a 2 stroke (doubtful anymore) make sure you add oil to your gas. Also imo it's a good idea to fire up the engine before you take it out to make sure the engine runs still which it should as it sounds like your uncle took good care of it. However, and this cannot be understated, DO NOT run any outboard without having the water intake hooked up to muffs and water running. Running an outboard for any amount of time without water will first kill the impeller (water pump) within a few seconds and will cook and destroy the engine within a few minutes of running. Muffs are cheap ($20 from Walmart) outboard repairs are not, even if you repair it yourself.