Boat Winterization and Marine Service in Little Falls, MN
Minnesota Winters Are Hard on Boats
Water left in an engine block freezes and cracks it. Untreated fuel separates and gums up the carburetor or injectors. Moisture sits in a lower unit all winter and eats the bearings from the inside. Most of the damage a boat takes in Minnesota does not happen on the water. It happens sitting in a yard from November to April.
Monahan’s Marine has been servicing boats in central Minnesota since 1938. Our technicians winterize boats, pontoons, and outboards every fall, and we service what we sell. Drop your boat off in October and it goes back in the water in May exactly the way you left it.
What Our Winterization Service Includes
Every boat gets the same thorough process. Here is what our technicians do before your boat goes into storage.
Engine and Drive
- Change engine oil and filter
- Drain and refill lower unit gear lube, inspecting for water intrusion
- Flush the cooling system and drain all water from the block, manifolds, and hoses
- Add antifreeze to closed cooling systems
- Fog the cylinders to prevent internal corrosion
- Inspect the water pump impeller and replace as needed
Fuel System
- Add fuel stabilizer
- Run the engine to circulate treated fuel through the entire system
- Replace fuel and water separating filters
- Inspect fuel lines, primer bulb, and connections for cracks or leaks
Hull, Interior, Electrical
- Drain livewells, bilge, and freshwater plumbing
- Unhook the battery
- Test the bilge pump and pull the drain plug
- Shrink wrap for outdoor storage
Trailer
- Inspect wheel bearings
- Check lights, wiring, and connectors
- Inspect tires, including the spare, and check pressure
- Check the coupler, safety chains, and winch strap
What We Winterize
All inboard and outboard marine engines, all makes and sizes.
Fishing Boats and Runabouts
Aluminum and fiberglass with I/O or outboard power, any make, any size.
Outboard Motors
Authorized Suzuki service. We can service every other major outboard brand as well.
Inboard and Stern Drive
Full freeze protection for closed and raw water cooled systems.
Boat and Pontoon Trailers
Bearings, lights, tires, and brakes checked before the boat goes away.
Winterize and Store in One Trip
Winterization and storage belong together. We store boats, pontoons, campers, travel trailers, snowmobiles, and RVs on our Highway 10 property on a seasonal or year-round basis. Because the service work happens on site, you make one trip in the fall and one in the spring instead of hauling your boat between a shop and a storage lot.
For cabin owners heading north, Little Falls sits at a practical midpoint. Drop the boat with us on the way home and pick it up on the way up in the spring.
Fall Pick Up and Spring Delivery
No truck, no hitch, no time. We will come get it. Monahan’s offers fall pick up and spring delivery for boats and pontoons in the Little Falls area. Tell us where the boat sits and we handle the rest.
Year-Round Marine Service
Spring
De-winterization, tune-ups, and water testing so you are on the lake for the opener.
Summer
In-season repairs, parts, and service on motors, trailers, and hulls.
Fall
Complete winterization for boats, pontoons, motors, and trailers.
Winter
Secure storage, plus restoration and repower work while the boat is off the water.
Why Central Minnesota Boaters Choose Monahan's
- Servicing boats, motors, and trailers on Highway 10 since 1938
- Authorized Suzuki outboard sales and service
- Engine, trailer, hull, upholstery, and restoration work under one roof
- Storage and winterization handled in a single stop
- Family owned, locally operated, and we service what we sell
- All makes and models, no matter where you bought the boat
Boat Winterization Questions
When should I winterize my boat in Minnesota?
Book in September or early October and get the work done before the first hard freeze. Once overnight temperatures drop below freezing, water sitting in an engine block can expand and crack it, and that repair costs far more than the service. Our fall schedule fills up, so calling early gets you a slot before the rush.
How much does boat winterization and storage cost?
It depends on the engine size, the size of the boat, and whether you add trailer service, repairs, or any of our other services. Call 320-632-5666 and we will quote your specific boat.
Do you winterize boats you did not sell?
Yes. We service all makes and models regardless of where the boat came from.
Do you offer storage after you winterize?
Yes. We store boats, pontoons, campers, and RVs on a seasonal or year-round basis at our Highway 10 location, so the boat never has to leave once it is winterized.
What areas do you serve?
We are four miles south of Little Falls on Highway 10 and regularly serve Brainerd, St. Cloud, Sartell, Rice, Royalton, Long Prairie, Holdingford, Pierz, and the surrounding lake communities.
Get on the Fall Winterization Schedule
Fall slots go first come, first served, and the last two weeks before freeze-up are always the busiest of the year. Call 320-632-5666 or send us a message and we will get your boat, pontoon, or motor on the calendar.
Monahan’s Marine
10982 South Hwy 10, Little Falls, MN 56345
Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM · Saturday by appointment