Florida boaters winterizing question

[stubbsboogie]

Hey gang!

So living in Fl, we never really did anythin to the O/Bs for the winter. But now I have an I/O. So my question is how much winterizing do I have to do. We were out all this past weekend. And I would like to be able to go out on the nice december days that we get. Only problem is we are never sure when they are coming. So I don't really want to have the boat unable to be used.

How much is enough and how little is too little?
Boat is stored outside under two covers and a tarp.
Thanks

 

[blouderback]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

I would simply drain the water from the engine after each trip. Takes about 5 minutes for me to find all the drain plugs, open them up, stick a stiff wire in the hole to remove any debris, and then re-install the plugs. That way, you're OK if there's a few hours a freezing temps, but you're also ready to go at any time.

BTW, it'll take more than a few hours aof below freezing temps to freeze the water in your block. There a lot of mass there to get down to temp.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

Maybe put a drop cord with a 100Watt light bulb under the engine cover to make enough heat to keep from freezing...like folks do in their outside water pump houses. Just an idea. Good luck!

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

Maybe put a drop cord with a 100Watt light bulb under the engine cover to make enough heat to keep from freezing...like folks do in their outside water pump houses. Just an idea. Good luck!

This is all I ever did when I had an i/o. And I only did it twice in the 8 yeras I owned the boat.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

Take blouderback's advice. We've been doing exactly that for 15 years in Louisiana and it gets a little colder here than it does in Lake City. Open all the drain valves, drain the engine, then close everything back up. As he say's takes about 5 minutes. Tilt the outdrive down to drain any water in it.

You should also change the engine oil and pull the outdrive at least once annually, check for bellows leaks, check alignment, lube the u-joints, lube the gimbal bearing, and change the outdrive oil. No need to do all that except once. After the annual maintenance is done, just drain the system, close it back up and you'll be ready to go anytime there's nice weather.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

Hey guys sorry for the delay in getting back on this one.

Sounds pretty straight forward. I know the two on either side of the engine. Whisch other ones do I need to get.

As far as the servicing, it was serviced right before I bought it, about a month ago. And will be done again in probably march. I am not doing any of that until the warranty is finished. 2012. Then I will start doing most of it myself.

Any other winter tips?

 

[soundman2424]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

mmmmm....when I think of winter, the first thought in my head is not Florida. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. For the couple of hours that is could possibly get to below 32 degrees in FL, this should be the last thing on your mind. I lived in Mayport Beach (suburb of Jacksonville) in 1979 and it snowed but the temperature was still above freezing. Where I live now, last winter we saw 45 below zero, didn't winterize my boat before it was buried under a snow drift and had no problems this past spring after it thawed out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

exhaust manifolds, this really should be an I/O question. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393

 

[nlain]

Re: Florida boaters winterizing question

Hey guys sorry for the delay in getting back on this one.

Sounds pretty straight forward. I know the two on either side of the engine. Whisch other ones do I need to get.

As far as the servicing, it was serviced right before I bought it, about a month ago. And will be done again in probably march. I am not doing any of that until the warranty is finished. 2012. Then I will start doing most of it myself.

Any other winter tips?

You should have 5 total, 1 on each side of engine, 1 in bottom of each manifold and when you are in front of the engine reach down with the left hand to the big water hose from the pump and there should one in it. That is what my 04 Merc 4.3L has. I boat in S E Ga, saltwater, I flush and leave the water in it and keep an ear on the temp, unless it is going to freeze I don't do anything, freeze predicted, then I drain.