Dewinterizing Mercury 250 Pro XS

I'm trying to get a jump and getting things ready for spring. I would like to go ahead and get everything i need to get my boat motor ready so as soon as the weather breaks i can get back on the water. I just recently bought a boat back in October and it is my first boat. I just want to make sure that i replace everything that needs to be replaced. I know that i need to replace the spark plugs and oil filter in the motor. If anybody can help me out and let me know what else i need to replace it would be greatly appreciated. Also if anybody could help me out on where is the best place to buy these parts? Thanks in advance for the help.

The most important would be a water pump, new gearcase oil, and fresh gas. Someone more educated than me will be along shortly to give you a better answer http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

See the following post on Recommended (Annual) Maintenance for Optimax Engines:

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...gines

Don, just as an FYI - that 'sticky' of Commonly Asked, Commonly Used (the one that contains the link you posted on annual maintenance) is only pinned at the top of the 3 Liter High Performance forum. It's not pinned on the 2.5 or the Stock Mercury forums.

I don't own a 3 Liter High Performance motor, so I really don't do much reading in that particular forum. Might get more views on some of these FAQ's if they're posted in the other areas. While much of that one post is geared specifically toward the 3L crowd, maybe the ones that pertain to other/all motors could be highlighted in bold type if/when they get stickied in the 2.5L and Stock Mercury forums.

I certainly don't want to come off like an ass, particularly given all the great help you give on this forum. Just thought it might save you some time...

Appreciate the input.... unfortunately, "pinning" is something that's up to the respective "moderators" of the individual boards.

I'll always point folks to the particular posts in there, as applicable when noticed.

And.... it's always available on the 3L board, as a reference tool. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

I'll IM Shermsmarine.

Honestly, I read the Stock Mercury forum somewhat regularly, and I see you posting links there quite a bit. And I've even read comments about it being a sticky, whether it was made by you or somebody else. But, again, since I don't own a 3L High Performance motor (mine is actually half of one, lol - 115ProXS), I don't even look in there. I've been a member for over 3yrs, and I just found that sticky http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif