Winterization
Protect your engine and fuel system from freezing water and old fuel before the cold months set in
Boat And Outboard Winterization
Our service department in Carnarvon, Iowa winterizes outboard engines, pontoons, fishing boats, and runabouts for boaters across Carroll, Storm Lake, Denison, Fort Dodge, Harlan, and the surrounding area.
We stabilize fuel, change engine and lower unit oil, fog engines, drain cooling systems, livewells, and onboard plumbing, and prepare batteries for storage. That keeps trapped water, old fuel, and moisture from damaging your engine while it sits through an Iowa winter. We service Mercury outboards and Minn Kota trolling motors every day, and our technicians know exactly where water likes to hide on the boats we sell.
- Fuel stabilizer treatment
- Engine oil and filter change
- Engine fogging
- Lower unit gear lube change
- Cooling system drain
- Livewell and plumbing drain
- Battery storage prep
- Grease and lubrication points
Request Your Winterization
Tell us about your boat and engine below, and our Service Department will contact you to set a drop off time that works for you. Online scheduling is not available.
What We Protect On Your Outboard
Freezing water and old fuel do their damage in specific places. Select a part of the engine to see how we protect it before storage.
Our Winterization Process
Every boat goes through the same five steps, in the same order, so nothing gets skipped before it goes into storage.
Check In And Inspection
We log engine hours and look over the hull, lower unit, and propeller, noting anything that should be handled before storage so there are no surprises in spring.
Fuel Treatment
Stabilizer goes into the tank and the engine runs long enough for treated fuel to reach every line, filter, and injector or carburetor in the system.
Oil And Fogging
Four stroke engines get fresh oil and a new filter to clear out moisture and acids, then the engine is fogged so the cylinders stay coated and protected from rust.
Lower Unit And Cooling
Gear lube is replaced and the old oil is checked for water, then the cooling passages are drained so nothing is left inside to freeze and crack.
Final Prep
Fittings are greased, the battery is prepared for storage, livewells and plumbing are drained, and we do a final walk around before your boat is put away.
Why Boaters Choose Shamrock Boat Sales
You may buy a boat from us once or twice, but you will visit our service department many times over the years you own it. That is why we put service after the sale first.
Serving Boaters Since 1941
Generations of western Iowa boaters have trusted us with their boats, motors, and service.
Master And Certified Mechanics
Other dealerships often call on our technicians to help with difficult diagnostic work.
Mercury Customer Satisfaction Award
Mercury named us one of its Top Ten Customer Satisfaction dealers, out of 3,500 dealers nationwide.
Indoor Storage On Site
Pest controlled indoor storage keeps your freshly winterized boat protected until spring.
Winterization FAQ
Plan to winterize before the first hard freeze, which often arrives in western Iowa during October. Contacting us early in the fall gets your boat in before temperatures drop and before our service calendar gets busy.
Water left in the cooling system or lower unit can freeze, expand, and crack engine blocks, gearcases, and plumbing. Untreated fuel can also break down over the winter and leave varnish that clogs filters and injectors by spring.
Yes. We drain livewells, baitwells, and onboard plumbing, and we can look over your Minn Kota trolling motor while your boat is in our shop.
Yes. We offer year round indoor storage that is pest controlled, so your boat can go straight into storage once winterization is complete. Mention it in your request and we will share current storage pricing.
Call or stop in to talk with our Service Department, or fill out the form on this page and they will contact you to set a drop off time. We are open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM, and Saturday by appointment.
Get Your Boat Ready For Winter
Send us a request and our Service Department will contact you to get your boat on the calendar before the first hard freeze.