Re: Extreme cold weather
I saw some good advice above. I have never been lucky enough to go duck hunting below about 18 degrees, but here's what I've noticed.
As said, stuff gets REALLY brittle that cold, DO NOT attempt to force anything that is frozen and sticking, like throttle controls, shifters, etc., or you're almost guaranteed it will break. You may be forced to heat something up to unstick it, keeping in mind that you're dealing with gasoline and such, so don't blow yourself up.:redface: Hot water can be helpful, but it can also get in cracks and crevices and refreeze creating furthur problems, so be careful where you use it.
I also like the comment about keeping the lower unit submerged----that's a "for sure".
A lot of times the water in the tell tale will freeze and stop it up, so keep that in mind. You can always feel the cylinder head if you doubt it's keeping cool.
A little fresh oil on your recoil starter spring would be helpful, and I'll bet your starter rope will be stiff as a board, so be prepared.
If you have a way to keep it in a warm, low humidity location before going out, it would be helpful, too.
I also think you should check your lower unit oil for water before going back home because if there's water in there at 4 degrees and you trailer it home, you'll have a burst or cracked gearcase.
The frozen fuel lines, as mentioned are a huge problem, as the fuel lines will break on the slightest flexing. Any water in the fuel and you're in bad shape because it will either stop it up or freeze the check valves in the primer bulb. A propane stove to heat up a bucket of water is handy because you can dip your fuel line in the water or pour it over the fuel line. Hopefully you will use the propane stove far away from the fuel source, as I'm sure you already know.
Without some way to thaw stuff out like the stove, I doubt I'd try it. If you flex or force something at that temp., it WILL break.
I live in Northwest La. where it rarely gets below the teens, but if it does get there, I'm ALWAYS out after the ducks if season is open!
Hope you bag some birds,
JBJ
