Engine winterization should be done to any boat being stored for more than ninety (90) days or when subject to freezing. The main reason for winterizing your boat is to prevent the freezing of water in your engine and related systems and accessories. Water expands when it freezes and the result is your boat’s engine and parts will look similar to leaving a canned beverage in the freezer too long. The engine block, cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, water pumps, sea strainers, hoses and other parts need to be drained of water for storage. Even if it is not exposed to freezing temperatures, the engine needs to be winterized to prevent rust from water (not antifreeze) in engine block, along with stabilizing your fuel for storage. We will lubricate your cylinders to prevent drain drive of water. Preventing rust, freeze damage and insuring a smooth startup in the spring. Some people in areas where it does not freeze, may feel there is no need to winterize, but rust damage is usually worse where there are not freezing temperatures. You should always winterize your boat when storing it; it is worth the money and peace of mind.

Any boat accessory that uses fresh water needs to be winterized. Winterization must be performed on water systems with sinks, pumps, tanks, showers, transom showers, ice makers and hot water heaters and they should contain no water in them or in the lines going to them when the boat is being stored for the winter. Large boats and yachts have generators, heaters, air conditioning units, ice makers, holding tanks, relay pumps, macerators, toilets, vacuum pumps and other systems that need to be winterized to prevent freezing and mold.

We are the high altitude specialists. Lake Tahoe is over 6000 feet in elevation. At this elevation there is about 20% less oxygen in the air. Your boat doesn’t like this and, as a result, you will lose about 20% of the boat’s power at altitude. You must adjust your engine and drive train to the lower horsepower and less oxygen. We can get your boat to jump up and go! When you do nothing, your boat will be “bogging” your engine down and burning a lot of fuel, which could also result in major engine failure. The worst part is your boat is slow. If you can’t deal with the 20% loss, we can soup up your engine a little and get it back! It is also the best way to keep Tahoe blue. That is a big deal up here because we value the water’s clarity. Like the new invasive species inspections at the boat ramps, there are also inspections planned for polluting boats that are not acclimated with the proper tuning and propping. So, do it for your boat and the lake!

A properly tuned engine will be the most reliable and will consume less fuel. We can tune old engines with carburetors and points up to newer fuel injected boats. If you have problems the dealership couldn’t figure out, or they say its “normal,” ask us, we have the best technicians on the lake. If it’s more horsepower you want, we can build engines, add performance parts, fabricate and weld (steel) to keep jobs on site and your cost down.

Change your oil often. Marine engines run much harder, therefore, burning oil quicker. Some ski boats & high performance boats will need oil changes at twenty (20) hour intervals. We use only high quality, original equipment and manufacturer oil and filters. We also recycle all used oil and filters.

We can install all accessories including ski boat towers, tower speakers, tower lights, stereos with amps and subwoofers, heaters to keep you warm after being in the cold water, or even a hot shower. We can install showers where you stand on the swim deck so you can take a hot shower after skiing or wakeboarding. Got a big stereo and if you let your boat sit for more than a couple of days your batteries are dead? A dual battery system fixes this problem and more. With a dual battery system, a switch allows you to shut off the batteries to prevent discharge, or you can use both batteries to start stubborn engines with a turn of a switch. Other accessories we can install include depth finders, fishing rod holders, BBQ grills, slime pumps and much more. We have years of experience installing these products on new boats which require original manufacturer equipment, quality work and seamless installations.

If you have an inboard/outboard boat, you have a stern drive unit. If you have an inboard boat, you have a transmission. Many people neglect their drive or transmission. It is typically more expensive to rebuild an outdrive after gear lube has leaked out, than to rebuild your engine. With our drive service we will change the fluid, clean particle magnets, remove drive to lubricate the spline shaft and inspect for water intrusion into the U-joint bellows, shift cavity, grease U-joints, check engine alignment, inspect engine coupler, adjust shift cable, replace gaskets, O-rings and reseal drive to transom and we will inspect many other parts in the process. While the drive is off, it’s a good time to replace your trim gauge sender. That can fix your erratic, jumpy, not working trim gauge and save you money in labor because the drive is already off. We do a lot more than just change your drive lube. Drive service should be done annually or every one hundred (100) hours. If the engine on your boat is in the rear, then you have a transmission and a V-drive. The transmission and V-drive should also be serviced. The process is similar with inboards; changing fluids, checking engine alignment, adjusting shift cable and other inspections of components going through the hull to the propeller. On some models, this seal drips by design (no, it doesn’t seem like the best design), but if it is properly adjusted it will drip very little. Many leak too fast, resulting in dead batteries from the bilge pump running, water damage from water in the bilge and in the worst case scenario, a sunken boat. Have us check your shaft packing while your boat is in the water to avoid these problems. A dual battery system is recommended for inboard boats that stay in the water overnight or longer.

We can fix all kinds of damage from rocks or whatever you may have hit. We work in conjunction with Fiberglass Specialties to quickly repair your boat to like new condition. Do you have an insurance claim? We have worked with most insurance companies and have no problem doing insurance jobs, big or small. You drop it off and we do the rest!

Many of our customers want us to take their boat out for a spin to check the performance of their boat’s engine and related systems. Our master technicians are available to take your boat out to check the different mechanical aspects of your boat, including the performance of the engine and if your boat has the proper high altitude RPMs. We test hundreds of boats a year and we know exactly how your boat should perform at Lake Tahoe and at this elevation. The Lake Test also includes checking gauges for proper calibration, shifting problems, unusual noises, rattles and checking all systems for proper operation. Sometimes people don’t know how to operate their accessories or understand what they do, or some people need help with basic boat driving principles. We can jump in your boat and show you around, explaining what you don’t understand, show you how to be a better boat driver (it is nothing like driving a car), or just show you how to get maximum speed out of your boat. There is more to it than just holding it wide open!

Your boat must have current, legal registration in order for us to perform a Lake Test.

We can clean your boat to suite you. If you just want us to spend fifteen (15) minutes or a half an hour cleaning what needs it the most, you got it! Or are you looking for a full detail, inside and out? We can do that too! Does your boat have water spots that will not wax out? We can buff it out and get your boat’s shine back! Is your boat severely faded and spotted? Wet sanding is your only option and we can do that too! Bring it by and we will show you how good your boat can look! Even older boats can be shined up to look like new.

Do you need your boat delivered to your buoy or dock? We are very familiar with the buoy fields on the lake and can deliver your boat for you. Do you need your boat taken somewhere on your trailer? We can drive it there for you and we are able to accommodate up to a thirty (30) foot boat with this service.

Your boat and trailer must have current, legal registration in order for us to provide these services.

Do you hate launching your boat at the boat ramp? You can eliminate that stress by having us launch it for you. We can launch your boat and have it ready for you to jump in and go! If you rent a slip at the Tahoe City Marina, we can put your boat right in your slip. Call the Tahoe City Marina for slip rental details (530) 583-1039.