Corrosion control for a long period

[mark.p]

I will find out this week if I will be spending the next year in Iraq so I am trying to make preparations now. I have my boat stored about 200 ft from the ocean, covered with a decent cover that is only a month old. I am going to fill her up with antifreeze (raw water cooled), dump a can of sea foam down the carb till she dies, I plan on running her one more time in the water to get rid of the half a tank of gas I have in her right now. I will give her a fresh oil change after this last time I run her, the outdrive lube isn't even a month old so I'll leave that alone, Let me know if I am missing anything.

Few Questions,
1. Should I throw a few silica packs in the cuddy for moisture since it is so close to the ocean?
2. There is a little bit of rust on the engine, I don't have time to pull it out and repaint it, can I spray it with something to keep like a protective layer over it? It will be for about a year and a half before I will have time to use her again.
3. Will antifreeze keep it's corrosion resistance for that long or do I need to have someone take it in for a fresh batch while I am gone?
4. The hull is exposed to sunlight, salt water in the air, what can I do to her to keep her protected from the elements? Really good wax?

Thanks for your help!!!
Mark

 

[mark.p]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

by the way it is a 4.3 I/O.
One last question too

what about a protective coating for the outdrive?
Maybe like grease? any ideas, please let me know.

 

[Don S]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

As I understand it, Sea Foam is for cleaning carbon. You DO NOT want cleaners in there. Use a Fogging Oil instead. It will coat the cylinders, rings, valves, etc with oil instead of drying them up and allowing rust to set in.
There is also all types of corrosion sprays for the outside of your engine..
I would also change engine oil and outdrive oil if for no other reason than to make sure it was absolutly clean and free of moisture while you are gone. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation with your boat cover. A tight cover with no air movement will cause all sorts of moisture buildup.
Wax the hull, and you will be fine.
You will only be gone a year, And thanks ahead of time for your service to all of us.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

I would add, leave the fuel tank full, with plenty of Stabil in it. The silica packs are a good idea also, especially if someone would switch them out with new ones every few months for you. Corrosion-X is a good rust and corrosion preventive, it come in a spray bomb.

 

[mark.p]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

The cover I have has two sets of vent holes close to where the blower inlet and outlet are. Any suggestions for how to have ventilation. The front is a cuddy, but I don't think I want to open the hatch, right? to much chance of ripping the cover.
Any idea's?

 

[mark.p]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

Reel Poor,

Why fill the tank? won't it be bad gas in a year and a half? 30 gallon tank, that's alot of money. Don't understand why, but I am still reletively new to boating, just want to know why people do that.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

Keeping the tank full greatly reduces the amount of condensation build-up in the tank. Doubling the recommended amount of Stabil will keep the fuel fresh for two years.

BTW, if you have any other gas operated equipment that will also be sitting, Stabil and fog those also.

 

[mark.p]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

Thanks Reel Poor for the guidance. As I think about condensation, I notices that my engine has been sweating lately, low 40's at night, 70's during the day, is it sweating on the inside of the engine also? If so that would mean there will be water in the oil, correct? I would imagine it isn't a big deal, but what do you guys think.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

that the reason for using fogging oil, when shutting her down the last time. and thanks for serving our Country, i'm a Viet Nam Navy Corpsman.

 

[enn858]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

Hi

Use fogging oil as the other posters say - works perfect for storing an engine. BTW Don has made an excelent checklist on storing an I/O see the top of this forum.

Take care in Iraq - remember that we Danes are down there too - you are not alone d (we have our troops in the southern part of Iraq) whitch part are you going to?

 

[fendersfender]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

i disagree with the full tank of gas......ethanol is now added to gas and will absorb moisture and turn too goo in your tank...i would leave her as empty as possible, and treat what gas is left

 

[Don S]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

Either completely full, or completely empty.
Read the last statement from Mercs info on Ethanol.

http://www.mercurysmartcraft.com/ethanol2

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Corrosion control for a long period

you can use the fogging oil spray on the outside of the engine also, i spray mine down all over the engine and electrical connections..kept it rust free last winter..