Print Winter Storage Info.


Have you enjoyed riding the waves this summer? Fishing, tubing, skiing or maybe just cruising around the lake relaxing? Have you  given any thought on how to keep your boat and engine running and looking great? We here at Marsh Brothers sure have, which is why we would like to tell you about our Fall Lay Up Program.

Following is a list of the valuable services that Marsh Brothers offers to you, our valued customer. These steps are required to enhance and lengthen the life of your vessel.

WINTERIZATION

Winterization is the process of getting your outboard engine ready for storage for the off-season. The following services are included in the cost of winterization:

•   Stabilize gas

•   Run motor on our gas mix

•   Grease motor

•   Fog engine through carburetor

•   Check power tilt fluid

•   Change lower unit oil

•   Unhook and charge battery

•   22 Check Point Inspection

For your protection, Marsh Brothers will pull fuel samples from your fuel tank(s).  If excessive water or dirt is found in the fuel, it will be cleaned or environmentally disposed of, this will result in an added fee on your bill.

Manufacturers & Marsh Brothers recommended additional services

•   Fuel filter changed every season

•   Engine carbon flush out every season (necessitates changing of spark plugs)

•   Pull propeller and check for fish line, grease shaft and reinstall

ADDITIONAL SERVICES OFFERED
(Not included in winterization cost)

Marsh Brothers shrink wraps in excess of 1,000 boats and pontoons each year. We are happy to say that boats leave here in the spring in the same condition as when they were wrapped the previous fall. All of our boats and pontoons that are shrink-wrapped are vented for air circulation, which helps prevent mildew from growing on your vessel. Shrink wrapping your boat or pontoon has many advantages, a few of them are:

•   Cost effectiveness (vs. Indoor storage)

•   Interior of vessel is protected from UV rays

•   Protects your boat from snow and ice damage

•   Keeps boat dry (helps prevent mildew)

Marsh Brothers is the area leader in winterization and storage of boats and pontoons. We are a centrally located business in an area with numerous lakes (50+ in Hillsdale County alone). Being located in a rural community has been a definite advantage for us; we have 16 acres of storage space available to store your boat or pontoon on. To give you the peace of mind and protection you deserve; we have installed a 6,000-volt electric high tensile fence to protect your investment. This fence will protect your vessel from unwanted guests all off-season long, so far we have had excellent results on both 2 & 4 legged varmints.

PLEASE NOTE: Payment of storage bills is due in the fall, not in the spring. Storage cost of $150.00 is discounted to $65.00 only with full fall payment.  If payment is not received in the fall you will be billed $150.00.  No boat will be delivered until paid in full.  Our very economical storage charge is based on prompt payment and the large volume of pontoons and boats we store. Please remember that our storage rates are from Labor Day to Memorial Day, if your vessel is not picked up or delivered to you by June 15^th in the Spring, you will automatically be billed $90.00 for Summer storage of your vessel. This will help cover some of the expense we incur from constantly moving your vessel in the summer to keep the grass cut, to discourage rodents from entering your vessel. Vessels left all summer and stored the next winter season will be assessed a larger winter storage fee. Shrink-wrap is not designed to withstand the elements for more than one season, if left on for longer than one off-season expect holes and tears in the shrink-wrap.

 CLEANING OF YOUR VESSEL

Cleaning your vessel before storage in the off-season is imperative to the life of your boat. Marsh Brothers offers many services designed to meet your cleaning needs. The following packages are designed to adequately clean any boat or pontoon, no matter what its level of usage.

INTERIOR CLEANING

STANDARD CLEAN - This package includes:

•   Thorough wipe-down of furniture with vinyl finish cleaner (will not remove set mildew and/or stains)

•   Vacuuming the carpet

DEEP CLEAN – This package includes:

•   Hand scrubbing of furniture vinyl

•   Thorough wipe-down of furniture with vinyl finish cleaner (removing any mildew or stains if possible)

•   Vacuuming the carpet (removing any mildew or stains if possible)

*PLEASE NOTE:
Fallen leaves leave stains on furniture, these stains can not be removed once they   are allowed to set. If boats are excessively
dirty, Marsh Brothers will require power washing of the carpets,
which we do offer as an additional service. Dog hair on carpet is
difficult if not impossible to remove; an additional fee will be
assessed for attempted removal.

 SUPER CLEAN – This package includes:

•   Power washing carpet

•   Shampooing of carpet

•   Hand scrubbing of the interior fencing and vinyl on furniture

•   Thorough wipe-down of furniture with vinyl finish cleaner

CANVAS CARE & CLEANING

We offer a very thorough cleaning job on all your vinyl furniture covers, mooring covers and bimini tops. With our in-house sewing room, we are more than capable of meeting your canvas needs. Any cuts or holes in your canvas can be repaired when you bring your vessel in for winterization and storage. If you like, Marsh Brothers also offers custom made mooring covers and bimini tops in many exciting colors.

 VINYL PROTECTANT

Marsh Brothers offers you the protection of 303 Vinyl Protectant on your vinyl. 303 Vinyl Protectant is the most effective UV screening product, it repels dust, soiling and staining. This is an ideal way to prolong the life of your furniture.

PICK UP AND DELIVERY

Marsh Brothers is happy to pick up your vessel for winterization and storage, however, there are a few things you should do to make sure that your boat is in proper condition for storage. Please call at least 3 days ahead to schedule pick up of your vessel.

What you should do prior to pick-up (winterizations/storage).

•   Remove all wet life-jackets & towels

•   Remove all food items (attracts rodents)

•   Remove all beer and pop cans

•   Clean interior of vessel

•   Fold and boot bimini top (prepare for transport)

Please note: We are not responsible for any personal items left in vessel!

Please remove port-a-potties (if we must empty, we will charge aggressively)

Make sure your gas tank is 1/8 - 1/4 full! You need enough gas to get back to your dock in the spring, but we recommend no more than ¼  tank because the quality of gasoline declines with age!

*PLEASE NOTE:
In the spring if you request a fill up of your tank, please remember, we are not in the gas business! We do not buy our fuel wholesale, and we incur far more expense delivering this gas to you (full-service), than if you were to go to the gas station yourself (self-service). This is the reason why we charge more than your local self-serve gas station, please make sure your tank is at least 1/4 full when your boat is picked up for winterization and storage, so that the price of gasoline will not be an issue.

Standard pick up (and delivery) – All transferring of your boat occurs at the public access of your lake. You will drive your vessel to the public access and  load the boat onto one of our trailers.

We also offer dockside pick up and delivery, please inquire about this service when you call to schedule your pick up or delivery and pricing.

*Please note: Please remind us if you have any special handling needs. Tritoon Pontoons and Special V-Hull Pontoon/Boat combinations, and those boats and pontoons without trailers will be charged an additional surcharge for the special handling they require. Crest III HPT pontoons require high-lift trailers.

SUMMERIZATION

Now that the long cold winter is over, and warm sunny weather has arrived, it is time to get your vessel ready for some summer fun! Marsh Brothers offers the following services to ensure that your vessel is in prime operating condition for the warm weather.

Summerization is the final check on your boat and it’s equipment before we deliver it to you for summer fun. The following services are included in summerization:

•   Removal and recycling of shrink-wrap

•   Check battery for full charge

•   Check lights, horn, etc.

•   Start your engine (run on a hose)

•   Double check lower unit oil level & engine oil level (when applicable)

•   Fill gasoline tanks upon request (higher cost due to transportation of gas)

 *PLEASE NOTE:
Please note: In order for Marsh Brothers to deliver all of our customers’
boats in a timely manner, we require you to CALL US AT LEAST 3 DAYS
BEFORE YOU WANT YOUR BOAT DELIVERED! We will not have your
boat ready for you 2 hours after you call, make SURE to call us 3 days
prior to the date you want your boat so that we can schedule delivery and make sure your vessel is in it’s best condition. FEES PAID FOR STORAGE ARE THROUGH MAY 31^ST, BOATS ARE TO BE PICKED UP BY JUNE
15^TH! ANY BOATS REMAINING IN STORAGE AFTER JUNE 15^TH WILL INCUR A $90.00 SUMMER STORAGE FEE.

 It is common when a vessel is brought up for summerization for minor repairs to be needed, such as:

•   Burnt out light bulbs

•   Corroded switches

•   Dead batteries (batteries that have past their 2-4 year useful life)

•   Water pump impeller replacement due to hardening

It is our assumption that you want your vessel back in prime operating condition when it is returned to you in the spring. That is why Marsh Brothers will do everything possible to meet your expectations. If we find a burnt out light bulb, broken switch or any other low-cost common repair, we will assume that you want it fixed and we will bill you accordingly without your consent (unless otherwise specified).

We will limit these unauthorized repairs to less than $30.00. In the event that the repair is more than the pre-authorized amount, you will be contacted for prior consent before any repairs are made; this could delay the delivery of your boat.

OTHER
WINTERIZATION/SUMMERIZATION SERVICES OFFERED

I.O. (Inboard/Outboard) and Inboard Engines

Winterization is the process of getting your I.O. or inboard engine ready for storage for the off-season. The following services are included in the cost of winterization:

•   Stabilize gas

•   Run motor on stabilized gas

•   Grease External Zerts

•   Steering

•   Check tilt fluid & power steering fluid

•   Visually check belts

•   Clean spark arrestors

•   Drain block

•   Drain lower unit and refill

•   Fog engine

•   Antifreeze engine with RV antifreeze

•   Unhook battery and charge

 Manufacturers & Marsh Brothers recommended additional services

•   Spark plugs changed every season

•   Pull out drive

•   Check and grease gimbal bearing and U-joints

•   Change gas filter

•   Engine oil change

•   Pull propeller and check for fishline, grease shaft and reinstall

•   Inspection and necessary replacement of boots

MARSH BROTHERS OFFERS YOU MORE...

Marsh Brothers is one of the most complete pontoon service centers in the country. We offer a huge selection of pontoon parts and accessories; most in stock.

Pontoon repairs include aluminum welding, decking, carpeting, furniture replacement, canvas and upholstery work, and more.

Today’s high-tech engines do require advanced technical skills, which are available at Marsh Brothers by a highly trained staff. Unfortunately, all mechanical items wear, break or fail. It is imperative to the life of your engine that you have it serviced regularly, and have necessary repairs made immediately. The technicians here will be pleased to address any problems with your outboard, inboard/outboard or inboard engine.