Winterizing question

[scook]

My ‘85 I/O isn’t self bailing.

I forgot to mention - if it’s an I/O, and has a heat exchanger, be SURE to drain that. it’s a $1000 part at retail.

You’re getting all kinds of good advice here. If the under deck drain pipe is clogged and the other methods don’t get it, you might try a small,plumbing snake but go gently so you don’t break the PVC pipe.

[cfelton]

My V is a 77 cuddy with a 170 Mercruiser. Like Scook said, be sure to drain the fresh water side of the heat exchanger! I think its the plug towards the rear under the heat exchanger. I put a petcock on mine, makes it easy and I don't confuse it with the coolant plug. Make sure your outdrive pee hole is clear for the shift shaft section and your outdrive is all the way down so it doesn't hold water around the prop shaft section. As for the water in the hull I raise the outdrive up and jack the bow way up for a week to let all the water drain to the plug in the transom then soak up any remaining water under the motor until dry. I also give my batteries a good charge before wrapping it up.

[scook]

It’s the large plug partially around under the front on my heat exchanger and the plug has an anode on it. I installed a bsttery maintainer and leave it plugged in all,the time - slow smart charging that keeps the batteries in good shape.

Definitely jack up the toung then drop the outdrive like cfelton says and if mine weren’t kept in my shop, I’d do what Destroyer says and add some heat and circulation under the cover. I cover mine to keep the sawdust and chips from the lathe from making a complete mess out of it..

[pamacme]

My boat is a cuddy with an outboard. I have gunnel tanks. My hatches are wood and there is just a small hole for a plug.
I need to try and get the bow up a little more because water pools in the bilge below where it runs out the hole.
Thanks

[Destroyer]

Hi Not sure what your question is. Is your boat in the water or on a trailer? If it's on a trailer then raise your engine, then raise the front of your trailer until your front is higher than the little hole in the back so the water can pour out. Then lower your engine as far as it will go. If it's vertical then you're ok. If it's still on a tile then dig a hole so you can lower your engine even further. The object is to get your engine vertical so water and snow and ice do not collect in the lower unit in front of the propeller. Now open all hatches and cuddy doors and then cover your boat for the winter. (I'm assuming that you have winterized your engine)

If your boat is in the water get it hauled and stored so that they front is higher than the stern. Then proceed as above.

[scook]

Well, you can forget all my palaver about draining the heat exchanger - that’s an I/O setup. Listen to the outboard guys and good luck with the boat.