31 degrees tonight

[96reinellbrxl]

Looks like we're at the time of year where we are all trying to squeeze a few more weekends before our boats are put up for the winter. Temperature is forecast an unusually chilly 31 degrees tonight in my area. Is that enough to do any damage, or should I clear a spot in the garage for the night?

 

[ziggy]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

i'd take steps to prevent a freeze myself. water freezes at 32*F.

fwiw, local weather forecast was for 35*F on sat. night. good thing i didn't believe the weather man. it got down to 30. prior to that, i drained my block and manifold as a precaution... felt good sun. morning when i got up to see the 30* temps.... knew i wasn't gonna have freeze damage cause there was nothing to freeze...

 

[mkast]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

or should I clear a spot in the garage for the night?

An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

Looks like we're at the time of year where we are all trying to squeeze a few more weekends before our boats are put up for the winter.

I'm sorry, never heard of that time of year. . . Florida don't have much of a winter. Anyways, yes, I would definitely take any precaution necessary, you don't want to get stuck with a hefty bill.

 

[steddy]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

31 degrees for a few hours usually won't freeze... much. True, water does freeze at 32 degrees, but it's going to take a while for the engine temperature to reach that low of a temperature, plus cool down the warm water inside to freezing. If it is for just one night, I would cover the boat up the day before with a tarp. The sun beating down on the tarp will warm it up a bit inside, then act as a blanket at night.
In my experience with RV's, the temperature has to be below 28 degrees for at least 24 hours for things to start freezing solid.
Always better safe than sorry, though. You might at least drain the water out from the block and manifolds, though, before covering it to minimize what can freeze.

 

[natemoore]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

I don't cover the banana plants until it's forecast to be in the mid-high twenties. Don't sweat it.

 

[Spurlee]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

You will be fine - but don't wait too long!

 

[96reinellbrxl]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

Called a local marine mechanic and he agreed that a temp in the 20s for 24 hours is where you'll freeze solid. A few hours of freezing before sunrise won't hurt anything.

 

[themaniam1]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

Been in the upper 20s the last few nights here in the low lying areas. It has been staying below freezing for about 8 hours and then warms up into the upper 50's. I have the camper cover on so it gets into the upper 80s in the boat so that is enough to warm the engine for the night. For extra precaution I threw a drop light in under the engine.

 

[bds85466]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

Today is the first day in 6 that it hasn't been raining in my part of the country. So I can finally uncover and get dry her out. They're predicting snow on Saturday...boo.

My boat's slipped on the lake. I'm always the cautious type, can you drain your manifolds and have the boat fire up just fine again?

Drop light, eh?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

Today is the first day in 6 that it hasn't been raining in my part of the country. So I can finally uncover and get dry her out. They're predicting snow on Saturday...boo.

My boat's slipped on the lake. I'm always the cautious type, can you drain your manifolds and have the boat fire up just fine again?

Drop light, eh?

Yes,you can drain it without any problems starting it back up..drain the block too...

 

[bds85466]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

..drain the block too...

:redface: oh yeah

 

[rbh]

Re: 31 degrees tonight

0600, light frost on the pumpkins, 4 degrees c.
0730, suns coming up over "hunters range" (for the snowmobilers) 2 degrees c
"warm up dont cool down"
rob