Question for us winter sufferers

willy · #1 12-15-2006, 01:13 PM

Do any of you fellows that live thru a northern winter keep your boats ready to go (trailerable boats) all winter. I have had 50-60 degree days the past week and though I know it will get colder I would like to not close the boat up but instead be able to go out, especially local lakes etc. Other than keeping the batteries charged and engines turned down for drainage any suggestions.

Second question on closing up the motor, my friend went to the local west marine to pick up some season ending supplies for the close up and they told him that he needed to pump antifreeze thru his block and sold him the stuff to do it. They told him countless engines experience damage because of freezing of the water that is trapped in the block of the engine that does not drain out.
I have never done this and I told him I would ask you guys if any of you do. ???

Franco · #2 12-15-2006, 01:48 PM

When I lived in the Great White North, I used to keep a tarp over the boat and I kept a drop light under the engine box to keep the block from freezing. I would uncover and go. If you drain your outboard that shouldn't be a problem.

willy · #3 12-15-2006, 01:53 PM

Thanks Franco, thought of that but have you ever heard of the anti freeze thing being needed?

Airslot · #4 12-15-2006, 01:57 PM

Outboards are fine if left in the down position. The guys at worst marine are refering to I/O's or inboards which do hold water in the block and will freeze / crack. I keep the batteries topped off and run the boat every few weeks all winter. Even if I can't get on the water, I'll run her on the muffs once a month on a warm afternoon. Run her for 15 minutes so the thermostats open up and your good to go. Don't leave her unattended because every now and then an outboard will overheat on the muffs if your not paying attention to her.

Airslot

Locked and loaded all winter

willy · #5 12-15-2006, 02:02 PM

I've done that Air with my small motors but did not know if the same procedure would work with the bigger blocks, I guess they should not be any different

Franco · #6 12-15-2006, 03:03 PM

I never heard of it being necessary to fill with antifreeze because all the water drains right out

chumbucket · #7 12-15-2006, 03:15 PM

Like 'slot said. Only with I/O's on the antifreeze. I've never really bothered to try to take it out in the dead of winter. December is a busy month anyways. Then Jan. and Feb. are bitter cold. By March, I start getting the bug again. ;)

willy · #8 12-15-2006, 03:56 PM

Agreed Chum, I'm closing mine up today.

rhahn427 · #9 12-15-2006, 04:48 PM

I'm staying open for business ........ just got a T Top with an enclosure ......... I can launch and fish around the power plants warm water returns and catch stripers or drive down to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel in VA for some of the best striper fishing all year .......... I have an outboard and they tell me it's better if I do run it all year.

C YENSEN · #10 12-15-2006, 05:18 PM

I/O guy here. all the hatches are battened down on my boat. she wont see the water again till april. :'( block full of antifreeze, fogged, oil changed, lower unit oil changed, and batteries stored in my garage. ;D