general winterizing question..

[ninjamatt]

I'm going to look at a boat and test drive it friday. it's an 89 concord mach1 with a 4.3 mercruiser. But my location (Arkansas) is going to see at least 2 nights below 32 degrees before I do. does that have any chance to harm the boat if he doesn't winterize before I buy it?

 

[southkogs]

Re: general winterizing question..

Yes it could, in that any time there's a freeze you run the risk of trouble depending on how the owner preps the boat for the cold weather. I would ask him what he did specifically to get the boat ready for the cold.

I don't "winterize" mine as such. Here in TN we don't get the sustained frigid cold one would up north, and I keep mine in an attached garage so it's usually warm. We can boat year 'round here too, so if the urge hits I can close all the drains on mine and hit the lake.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: general winterizing question..

With luck, the boat may still be in the water- in which case a couple of cold nights won't harm it. If it's on the trailer then yes, you need to satisfy yourself that it was protected.