frozen water in boat

[circle hook]

Question if the river temp is 45 deg F. and my 21 foot alummium boat gets rain water in the bottom, when normal water on the ground freezes will the water in the boat be the tempeture of the river water 45 deg. f. or slightly cooler but not to freeze, wondering when will the blidge pump & float switch stop working due to a freezeing problem Thanks bob

 

[oops!]

Re: frozen water in boat

the aluminum hull will transfer the heat from the water its in to the water that is in it.....

if you take the boat out of the water......it must be drained.

the bilge pump and float will work right up till the battery dies or the water freezes.....if it is sitting in water that is not frozen you are good

 

[circle hook]

Re: frozen water in boat

does it make any difference that the river water is salt water and the rain water is fresh water, and also the rain water in the boat is below the water line too Thanks Bob

 

[oops!]

Re: frozen water in boat

nope......as long as the water temp that your boat is sitting in is above freezing.

lots of boats are left in all year around in canada......outside temp is -20....and there is un frozen water in the bilge.....fresh or salt...doesnt matter

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: frozen water in boat

The water in the boat may freeze.
The water in the river is moving, brackish water freezes at a lower temp.
The water in the boat is more subject to the air temp as the water isn't moving and the aluminum will also be colder above the water line, transferring the cold to the surface of the water in the boat.
While it is likely the water in the boat will not freeze as quickly and the ground water, it will freeze.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: frozen water in boat

put a splash of RV antifreeze in the bilge and fagetaboutit. And leave your lower unit down if temps are below 32.

If your water temp stays at 45 you have O to worry about. If the water temp gets to 31, then the bilge water might freeze a little.

No the pump won't work when it's frozen but then you don't need it to b/c it can't be raining! It should be OK when it thaws but check it.

close any seacocks, though, such as for a wash down/live well, so they won't freeze and crack.

A boat on a trailer is a whole 'nother thing

 

[circle hook]

Re: frozen water in boat

thanks a splash of rv antifreeze will do, and will watch the water temp the river usually dosent freeze but it still gets cold in New Jersey but on the other side this is when the best fishing starts and its great with no one on the water either Thanks bob

 

[jigngrub]

Re: frozen water in boat

If the water in your bilge freezes it will ruin your bilge pump and livewell pump (if so equipped)... don't ask me how I know this.

 

[dlngr]

Re: frozen water in boat

I'm missing something here-? Why leave the water in the bilge,why not just remove it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: frozen water in boat

he's talking about the small amount that's always there, lower than the pump can clear.