Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

[wca_tim]

I'm in North Carolina where we get very few days where the air temp gets a long ways below freezing. I plan to use the boat all winter this year and don't really want to deal with major winterization or even having to carefully drain every time we get back (of course i will do whatever it take sif I have to rather than let it freeze!).

I'm considering just running it in a tank containing enough "non-toxic" (propylene glycol) for a little bit before leaving it sit. Note that the residual antifreeze would be flushed out when I start up and check out before hitting the road next time so I wouldn't be poluting the river. Would check the freezing point of the antifreeze flush mix on occassion to be sure...

I currently run it on the muffs for a few before we leave the house and then again when we get back to flush any brackish / salt out of the system anyhow.

Any thoughts?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

I'm considering just running it in a tank containing enough "non-toxic" (propylene glycol) for a little bit before leaving it sit. Note that the residual antifreeze would be flushed out when I start up and check out before hitting the road next time so I wouldn't be poluting the river. Would check the freezing point of the antifreeze flush mix on occassion to be sure...

i dunno, that sounds more painfull than just draining the water from the system to me........took me maybe 15 min. to drain mine the other day....

 

[Don S]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

Just drain the cooling system. Air don't freeze.
Trying to run a raw water cooled engine in anti freeze normally gives these forums lots of posts in April about cracked blocks and water in oil.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

Tim, I put a standard heating pad (40Watts) under my oil pan and turn it on when the temp drops. Now I keep the boat in the water while doing this, so the non-frozen water helps keep the motor a bit warm as well. I have has success when the temp is in the 20s with this method.

How about an engine compartment heater? if you only use it sporatically, it won't use too much electricity.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

Where i'm at here in NC we had nights down in the teens last winter.

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

I agree with Gary H, I am also in NC, in Raleigh and it does get cold here at times.

I would drain it all out for sure, and maybe even throw some type of heater in there for backup, when it does get super cold.

Bryan

 

[imported_TheMan]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

I'm in NC as well (coastal). Last year I just drained the block and manifold and did not have any problems.. although we didn't have one flake of snow all winter this past year.
That was with a 3.0L which took about 30 seconds in total to do. If it is hard to access your drains then I guess it COULD be easier to constantly flush it, but I doubt it. Also quite a bit cheaper to just drain it.

By the way, I see you mentioned brackish water and river. You on the coast as well?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

I'm in greenville area now for 5-6 years, Raleigh area before that. Worked in the triangle yesterday and for the heck of it took a quick drive down to look at the New Hope side of Jordan - holy crap! so that's what 20,000,000 gallons of water short looks like...

Hope also puts me about 45 min straight north of you in New bern. Haven't made it down that way lately, but used to spend a lot of time playing in the sound down a little closer to the beach. back side of emerald isle, swansboro beaufort, etc...

These days have been heading to the tar Pamlico river the most. Everyplace from up the river past Washington (lots of salt further down the river this year), to down past South Creek (out of Aurora). We hit some nice speckled trout down on South Creek a few weeks ago. Daughter and I are probably going to fish further down toward the sound tomrrow or Sunday. A couple friends have been catching some nice drum...

Thanks for input on winterizing... I'll probably do some combination of all of the above. The thought of using some kind of heater sounds like a great one. I could easily rig something up (explosion proof of course!!!) with a couple of contact band heaters on the block, set the temp at 40 degrees and see how that works if nothing else.

I'll drain it when I'm not planning to just go out again the next day or so...

Good thoughts and advice all... Much appreciated!

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

WOOOOPS! typo...

that's 20 Billion gallons short, with a B isn't it??

20,000,000,000 Yikes!

 

[180shabah]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

Not sure I understand the resistance to just draining it. Just pop the plugs, poke with a wire, put the plugs back in. Takes about 5 minutes and requires no electricity, making it ice storm proof. You know that when the power goes out it won't be on a 40* night.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

Not sure I understand the resistance to just draining it. Just pop the plugs, poke with a wire, put the plugs back in. Takes about 5 minutes and requires no electricity, making it ice storm proof. You know that when the power goes out it won't be on a 40* night.

Ayuh,........

And,....... It's Free........................

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

Kind of embarrassed to admit that I'm a bit paranoid that I'm somehow going to screw up and not get it all... Yea, I can follow directions pretty well... but somehow seem to always miss something when it's a new routine. Not sure I want to put another new engine in this boat right away...

Of course with your excellent tutelage, I'm sure I can get it right if I put my mind to it.

Thanks for the help though! Once it starts getting colder I'll start draining it every time i get home...

Cheers!

 

[Don S]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

When you start doing it, make yourself a check list, and put everything in it. Even if you think you couldn't forget that part.......... Trust me, that will be the money mistake.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

but somehow seem to always miss something when it's a new routine.

wca, i can understand yer hesitance. were talkin big bucks for messin up. ya havn't said what ya got for an engine and drive. mercrusier service manuals are available online. they have very specific instructions as to where to drain at, includein pics. lots of folks here willin to help ya out too. know where yer drain plugs are at. ream'em out and make sure the water is out. that's the best ya can do. yer supposed to do that prior to any antifreeze anyways. which ya don't need to do as yer wanting to extend the season, not layup. this seems to me to be a classic case of air don't freeze. drain for extended season......if ya aint got a merc. foks here'll direct ya in the right direction i'd bet.......what ever engine-drive ya got.........

don't be embarest either. that's what this hip fourm is about it seems to me. helpin ea. other out with our favorit passtime......boats......and theres a whole gob to learn too...... personally, i just keep readin and learning........

 

[ziggy]

Re: Yet another... "do I have to winterize" thread...

dons' post on the list is a real good one. i got one. made it up in word usein a table....i use the winterizein list from the merc service manual + anything else i've decided was a good idea that i learned here on iboats forums................dated and checked off for the winter...... funny, dad always wanted me to make a list of whatever when i was a kid. i hated doing that......man, was he right on time though...... for anything of importance really.......