Considering using my boat this winter, antifreeze question

[jmark]

Instead of winterizing I am considering using my boat every couple of weekends throughout the Fall and Winter into next boating season. I have a 5 liter Mercruiser with Apha 1 drive (carb) with an open water cooling system. My question is should I run a mixture of antifreeze and water in through the lower unit evertime after I pull the boat out of the water? I assume this would prevent freezing of any residual water left in the block between outings on the lake (Charlotte, NC area). Will regular automotive antifreeze work?

 

[tommays]

Re: Considering using my boat this winter, antifreeze question

draining it correctly will work

Regular anti-freeze is WAY TO TOXIC to even think about

LOW-TOX if you must


Tommays

 

[stevieray]

Re: Considering using my boat this winter, antifreeze question

jmark - completely draining everything is the best way to go as tom says. If you do decide to use AF, definitely use the low tox (pink stuff they sell at the marine shops) and pour it in thru the t-stat housing & hoses per the lay-up procedures in the manual - trying to suck it up thru the lower unit is just asking for problems.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Considering using my boat this winter, antifreeze question

As Tommy says,........

You should learn how to properly Drain your boat,.......
And,....Not be Dumping all that Toxic Soup into the Lake.........

Even the Low-Tox is Somewhat Toxic,.........

Air Doesn't Freeze,............Learn how to Drain it............

Without knowing Exactly Which motor/ drive,.....
Your motor needs to have the 2 Block Drains opened,....And Rodded Clear......
there's 2 on the Manifolds,.....
You'll need to Pull the Big Hose off the engine's Waterpump,.....
And Drain the P/S Cooler.......
There maybe More,... But I Know you've got Those to deal with......

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Considering using my boat this winter, antifreeze question

I have a fountain pump I use. I use rv antifreeze in a bucket put the pump into the bucket with a hose attached. I attach the other end to the muff and plug it in. Get's the antifreeze throughout the block. I still drain for good measure, but if any doesn't drain out it won't freeze.

 

[shelikesit]

Re: Considering using my boat this winter, antifreeze question

I lived in Charlotte for 15 years. Red clay was hard in the summer, I rented jackhammers in the winter to dig the holes through frozen ground for deck footers.

From the horror stories of cracked blocks I've read in here, it seems like you'd want to wrap that motor and drive in something if it stays outside. Or garage it.

Personally I prefer to say I know nothing, but these boat blocks need tender loving care, 25-8-366............... 25 hrs a dy, 8 dys a wk, 366 dys a yr..........