If you choose to do it yourself be sure to take a wire and poke around
the drain holes to get rid of rust that may have built up. See step 5
below. After draining I like to crank the engine just enough to be
sure water gets out of the water pump. Also get an owner's manual for
specific directions and locations of drain spots. These are available
at most boat supply stores. There are also kits to use to replace the
water with anitfreeze and to pump out the oil through the oil fill
tube.

Good luck with which ever choice you make.

On Fri, 08 Oct 2004 12:53:39 GMT, "tony thomas"
wrote:

Since you have done outboards, the only real difference is to drain the
water from the block and change the engine oil.

1. Put fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank.
2. Crank engine on hose to warm it up and distribute fuel stabilizer.
3. Replace engine oil and filter
4. Replace outdrive oil
5. Remove drain plugs on each side of the block and on each side on the
exhaust manifolds. Make sure you get all 4 or you will have water left.
The exhaust ones are located right under the front edge of the manifold at
the engine block. The block ones are down on the side of the engine.
5. Remove hoses and drain.
6. Pour some anti-freeze down thru the water pump until it starts to run
out of the block.
7. Lower outdrive all the way down so it will not trap water.
8. Disconnect battery and make sure it is fully charged.
9. Come about January I take a charger and put on the battery just to top
it back off.

When you get ready to use it again.
1. Install hoses and drain plugs on engine
2. Charge battery
3. Connect battery
4. Crank on hose.

That is all I do. Some will add oil to the cylinders by removing the plugs.
I never fool with that myself.