[birdwatcher]

I have a 1995 Mariah 2002 and I have had it in the heated building this winter hoping for a warm day to go play. I'm in the western arkansas and the winter just keep on going. I may have to get it out of the heated building soon. I have read about getting your boat ready for winter. I have also been told to pull the top water hoses off and fill with antifreeze until it runs out the top drain opening. If I put that much antifreeze in the engine will it not run out the exhaust port for the engine? I purchased this boat a few months ago and have not had it in the water yet. This is the first time I have owned a I/O boat. I have driven them several times but not as a owner.

[IowaWing]

Welcome birdwatcher.
Go to the top of this page and in search type in "winterizing checklist" . Go to Wet Willies's reply which is post #2 and click on the links he has provided. Be sure to completely drain the block or you'll freeze the water trapped in it and break the block rendering it worthless except as a really big anchor.

[birdwatcher]

Thanks again this web site has been a great help in understanding the operation of this Mariah. I hope the weather warms some soon. I am ready to get the boat wet.. I know I speek for all boat owners this time of year.You guys are great with your sharing of information.....

[jeffro788]

I feel your pain, I live in Little Rock area and bought mine right when it started getting cold and only got to take it out once. There was a relly good video posted on here that was from a Mercruiser tech, and he went thru it all. I just followed his instruction and drained the block, exhaust manifolds, and water hoses, then plugged the motor back up put the hoses back on and put a little RV antifreeze in the exhausts manifolds and put the rest in the water pump neck to flow into the block. He said in the video you really don't have to do that (the antifreeze), but I felt better about it.