Hope everybody had a good new year. I've been browsing around for good spring time checklists but figured if anybody isn't busy they could help a newbie out:

So I winterized the boat this November and it looks like it's already warming up! I live in Charlotte and it's going to be 80 Sunday and dying to get out there. Mechanic winterized the boat but I have a full check-list of what was done (first winter with the boat, looking to do it myself in future):

I would have my mechanic open it up and check it for me but he can't get to it until next week and this is my first weekend off in a while from work. I just have a couple questions about running it for the first time.

I plan on hooking up the hose to the fake-a-lake valve and running all the anti-freeze out. Is there a certain amount of time I should do this for or any procedure? Both '93 PCM manual and '91 CC manual I couldn't find any instructions on this. If I missed it please call me out and I'd love to read it.

The checklist didn't say anything about taking the impeller out and it was replaced last summer. I will double-check it's there since I've seen some forums where the winterization calls for taking it out?

Manual says that it has the Sherwood strainer. Is there anything I need to do for this come spring-time if it's been drained? I would think that as long as it's drained and connected it would just fill back up.

Are there any cables or hoses that would be disconnected during a winterization? Of course I'll check but would be helpful if there are some notable ones. 

I'll charge battery, check engine and trans fluids, and watch engine temp while in the driveway. Does anybody else have any advice or any steps I may have missed?

Newbie question I know but figure I gotta learn sometime! Any links or advice is definitely appreciated.

For "normal" de-winterizing, this is what I do:

@JQ: Thanks for the details  that sounds great to me. As for the drains, do you remember where the drains where / how many drains were on your '94 SNOB?

On the PCM manual it only describes one: Towards the aft of the engine on the port side.

I've also been on my boat and haven't seen any drain plugs lying around in the glovebox or anywhere else, is it common for mechanics to drain the block and then put the plugs back in?

Alex

I drain on each side of block (towards front on starboard side and towards rear on port)

1 drain at water pump

1 drain in tranny cooler

1 drain at aft end of each exhaust riser

JQ

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8368&title=winterization" rel="nofollow - link

The starboard drain that's mentioned but not pictured is under #1 spark plug

A garage would be ideal.  2nd best would be an electric outlet, put a work light with an old fashioned incandescent 60 watt bulb inside the doghouse.  3rd best, up to owner discretion, is look at what the actual temps are for the day and night.  Day in the high 30's, dropping to 25 for 4-5 hours in the late night, then rising into the 30's again the next day?  You are very likely to be fine leaving it as is.

That would be "am I gonna stay up all night tossing, turning and worrying about the boat?"

If the answer is Yes, then drain the drain the drain points mentioned earlier, don't bother with the antifreeze and have a good night's sleep. It won't take long.

PS............ Put a bottle of water under the engine box so you can look at it the next morning