A different twist on winterizing?

[veritas honus]

I've been thinking about this for a while now... What are your thoughts on leaving the boat in the water with the muffs on. A large debris handling submersible pump flowing 600 gallons per hour through the muffs. The pump would be surrounded by a crab trap to keep large leaves and hydrilla from occluding the intake. The engine would have water flowing through it 24/7 throughout the cold months. Flowing water takes much colder temperatures to freeze than Lake Seminole has ever dished out. The engine can be started as frequently as desired. If the Army Corp of Engineers decides to drop the water level enough to ground the boat, I can run enough hose to keep the pump submerged. Will the water flow throughout the entire engine when not running? Am I out of my mind, or does this actually sound reasonable?

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

I would suspect that without the engine getting to running temp, the thermostat would never open and water would not circulate. but you could pull the thermostat i 'spose But, the water pump on the engine thats turned by the belt from the crankshaft wont be pumping either. My GUESS is that it wouldn't work.... My Guess!!!
If the water freezes, whats it going to do to the hull?
Just noticed your in Georgia,, guess you dont get much freezing there do ya,,how cold does it get ?

 

[Bondo]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Ayuh,... It would be much Much simpler to just,.... DRAIN the Motor...

 

[spdracr39]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Yep your asking for a lot of things to go wrong with a complex set-up. It only takes a few minutes to pull it out of the water and drain it. How many times are you going to run it over the winter anyway? You also risk water getting in the boat from some other kind of failure or weather event when its in the water for long periods of time unattended so why take the risk. Not saying it wouldn't work it just seems like a lot of trouble with no reward.

 

[jfalco]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

if your willing to go through that much trouble then you can also get a long hose and pipe it into a warmer climate and then get an emergency generator in case the power fails then it will never freeze,,, just winterize it thats a recipe for disaster

 

[scoutabout]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Interesting idea, but yeah - I agree with others, quite complex with all sorts of high risk potential failure points.

What's the problem you are trying to solve? A place to keep your boat in the winter (i.e., the water is your only option) or are you looking for a better winterization mousetrap? If the latter, I don't think you are quite there yet.

 

[NYBo]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Apparently Rube Goldberg is alive and well in Southwest Georgia!

 

[Adjuster]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

What about one of those oil dipstick engine heaters and a 100 watt light bulb? Can an outdrive freeze and be damaged while its in the water?

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

I would suspect that without the engine getting to running temp, the thermostat would never open and water would not circulate. but you could pull the thermostat i 'spose But, the water pump on the engine thats turned by the belt from the crankshaft wont be pumping either. My GUESS is that it wouldn't work.... My Guess!!!
If the water freezes, whats it going to do to the hull?
Just noticed your in Georgia,, guess you dont get much freezing there do ya,,how cold does it get ?

I live in Southwest Georgia. It gets generally gets down into the 20's&30's for several weeks. Sometimes it will even drop into the teens, but it's not common. We get frost, but any freezing on large bodies of water is rare. I've been here for years and haven't seen it yet. I will say this though, The cold down here is nothing like the cold up North where I'm from. It's a humid, wet cold down here. When it's 35 degrees here, it feels colder than sub zero where I'm from. You can't prepare for it. Dressing in layers does nothing for you because the humidity gets to your skin, your clothes become damp, and you freeze in above freezing temperatures. Up north, when it's in the 30's and sometimes cooler, I'll be snowboarding in a t-shirt. My wife is from here and she shivers when it drops below 75. The funniest thing is... I'm not kidding!!! Anyway, regardless of the way it feels, still water freezes at 32F. I don't feel that that will be an issue on Lake Seminole which is South Georgia/North Florida.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Apparently Rube Goldberg is alive and well in Southwest Georgia!

I love it!!! Even more so because it came from a fellow New Yorker!!! How fitting...

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

bilge heater

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Yep your asking for a lot of things to go wrong with a complex set-up. It only takes a few minutes to pull it out of the water and drain it. How many times are you going to run it over the winter anyway? You also risk water getting in the boat from some other kind of failure or weather event when its in the water for long periods of time unattended so why take the risk. Not saying it wouldn't work it just seems like a lot of trouble with no reward.

I figured it was just a pipe dream; but the boat wouldn't be left unnattended. My In-Laws live there full time now. The dock is about 150' behind the house. If I were to use such a settup, the boat would definitely get used throughout the winter, but probably only by me. I do understand, however, that a full winterization, complete with removal of outdrive, full inspection, and replacement of gasgets, ect., is the best thing to do. I'd just like to be able to use it, and protect it throughout the winter. So, I guess the plan is: Full winterization after next weekend (going to the lakehouse Friday-Sunday). When I take the boat out during the winter, after having done a full winterization, I'll simply drain it 'til the next time...

PS: I had a feeling I was going to have to lick my wounds after this one. You guys didn't beat me up too badly, though... Thanks.

Safe and happy boating always!!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Interesting idea, but yeah - I agree with others, quite complex with all sorts of high risk potential failure points.

What's the problem you are trying to solve? A place to keep your boat in the winter (i.e., the water is your only option) or are you looking for a better winterization mousetrap? If the latter, I don't think you are quite there yet.

I guess what I really wanted, was to "have my cake and eat it, too." Man, I hate that expression. I was hoping to have found the solution to both "protected", and "ready to go". As I said in another reply... Just a "Pipe Dream"
...But it would've been nice...

Happy and safe boating always!!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

if your willing to go through that much trouble then you can also get a long hose and pipe it into a warmer climate and then get an emergency generator in case the power fails then it will never freeze,,, just winterize it thats a recipe for disaster

It's really no trouble... a pump, a crab trap, and a piece of garden hose, all of which I already have. But I do like your idea... To what climate would you suggest I run that long hose?... Santa Domingo has a nice climate year round. The carribean is closer, but it's so touristy. And what size reserve fuel tank would you suggest for the back up generator? Heaven forbid I run out of fuel...
I never did think about the Rube Goldberg aspect of this.

 

[Bondo]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

I was hoping to have found the solution to both "protected", and "ready to go".

Ayuh,... That's an Easy 1,.... like I said, just Drain it...

It can sit at the dock All winter, in your local....

 

[MRS]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

Do not make it harder than it is. Like Bond-o said drain the sucker and be done with it.

 

[NYBo]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

I love it!!! Even more so because it came from a fellow New Yorker!!! How fitting...

I try my best...:redface:

 

[stic88]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

seems like it would be easier to just move to the desert southwest. never have to winterize, cause it is an endless summer...........oh by the way it was 81 degrees today.

 

[jfalco]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

It's really no trouble... a pump, a crab trap, and a piece of garden hose, all of which I already have. But I do like your idea... To what climate would you suggest I run that long hose?... Santa Domingo has a nice climate year round. The carribean is closer, but it's so touristy. And what size reserve fuel tank would you suggest for the back up generator? Heaven forbid I run out of fuel...
I never did think about the Rube Goldberg aspect of this.

that too much hose, just run it to florida and you will be safe!!! vertas you have a great sense of humor and you took it like a champ,i didnt realize you were in carolinas, i thought you were up north and were going to keep pumping all winter, your making the right choice draining and winterizing

 

[veritas honus]

Re: A different twist on winterizing?

seems like it would be easier to just move to the desert southwest. never have to winterize, cause it is an endless summer...........oh by the way it was 81 degrees today.

Thanks