Ive got a two stroke 50 hp 1988 yamaha. I was just wondering what the best way to winterize it is. I have never had to winterize motors before beacuse I have always been able to bring them into the basement. this one is just to big to do so.
what do I do?

thanks.

Just take it out on the river every week and you won't have to worry about. Who says you can't find open water all year round?

It is far to early to be asking about winterizing. The lakes are still at 78 degrees around here.

Start treating your fuel with Stabil or the chemical of your choice now so that you have treated fuel in the tank and carbs when you shut it down for the winter.
Put muffs on the motor, start it and let it warm up, then spray fogging oil into the air intake until the motor kills. I have one friend that takes the boat to a launch on a slow day, backs into the water and does that step there.
Pull the plugs and spray a couple quick shots of fogging oil in each cylinder then turn the engine over by hand a couple times.
Raise the motor up and down several times to get all the water out.
Pull the prop and look for fishing line or other things wrapprd arround the shaft. Greese the shaft and replace the prop.
Drain the lower unit. Check the plug for metal filings or chunks. Some fillings are normal. Look for milky colored lube or water seperating from the lube. Have the lower unit preasure tested if you have water or milky lube. Get one of the pumps you can use on a quart bottle of lube. Mine came with the fitting for a Merc but the adapter for Yamaha should be in the same display. Scew the fitting into the drain hole on the bottom and pump until lube comes out the vent hole on top. Replace the vent plug and remove the pump fitting and replace the drain plug. An ounce or so of lube will leak out but that's normal. That should take care of the motor.
It's also a good time to check screws and bolts all over the boat and trailer to make sure they are tight and repack your trailer bearings.

check out the boat and motor forum, there will be alot of guys there that will know what to do as well.

pat k. has it nailed, maybe even a bit over board. You can never over maintain though!! I will repeat Pat k. but it is always good to hear from multiple people. I have an 85 merc, I run seafoam and stabil through the motor til I am convinced it has run through the motor for a while. Then while the motor is running, I will spray fogging oil into each carb till the motor will almost die but not kill. Then hit them again till the motor dies. Pull each plug and spray the cylinders with fogging oil. If it is a new motor for you, then I would definetly change the lower unit oil. I change mine every other year, based on usage. Dont forget to fill from the bottom. As far as trailer bearings, the best thing I ever did was put bearing buddies on my trailer. You can get these at fleet farm. its funny, I have a buddy that pays $200 a year to get his 50 horse winterized every year, and he is on the water maybe 20 hrs a year.

add one more thing repack your bearings before you put it away if ther is any water your bearings have all winter to rust and pit i am convinced that all most all bearing problems start this way and turn up sometime next summer don't rely just on bearing buddies .

Side question about fogging oil:

When you go to start your boat up for the first time next season after you do the fogging of the intake and cylinders......should it start ok? Im kind of wondering if the fogging oil makes it hard to start back up after storage.

This is my first year with a boat so I will be winterizing my 2 stroke as well. Thanks.

It usually just smokes a bit more than normal when it burns it off, but I haven't had any isssues with starting the motor in the spring.

There is a special thread about Winterizing motors in the Equipment Forum. Follow the good instructions there.