heaters....

[s2gots]

I have an 88 fourwinns 200. I plan on using the boat probablly once a month for fishing use during the winter, so I dont want to completelly winterize the engine. When its stored on the side yard, I drain all the pet cocks, and plug in a battery maintainer. I also have the cover on, and a water proof tarp, just to help keep the weather out. My biggest concern is that I dont want mold, or nasty smells from the covers holding in moisture. Ive been thinking about one of those heaters/incubator things that I guess turn on automatically every so often....I hope someone knows what Im talking about and give some info/recommendations. TIA

 

[orion25]

Re: heaters....

I have an 88 fourwinns 200. I plan on using the boat probablly once a month for fishing use during the winter, so I dont want to completelly winterize the engine. When its stored on the side yard, I drain all the pet cocks, and plug in a battery maintainer. I also have the cover on, and a water proof tarp, just to help keep the weather out. My biggest concern is that I dont want mold, or nasty smells from the covers holding in moisture. Ive been thinking about one of those heaters/incubator things that I guess turn on automatically every so often....I hope someone knows what Im talking about and give some info/recommendations. TIA

Just get a few containers of Damp Rid. They will absorb the moisture and prevent mold. Or do what I do....... When the weather forcast is going to be sunny for a few days I remove the cover and let the boat air out. It is not difficult since the boat is about 25 steps from my back door.................

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: heaters....

store with outdrive all the way down so it does not hold water. left area for air circulation.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: heaters....

S2Gots, Your plan to open the petcocks may not protect your engine sufficiently. You might want to put a (safe) heater in the engine compartment as well.

I am not sure what kind of I/O you have, but Mercruisers have P/S coolers that do not drain themselves. Also, some residual water will remain in the block and manifolds after you open the drains. This residual wate may not amount to much risk, or it may pose a risk, depending on ist magnitude.

 

[180shabah]

Re: heaters....

Draining is fine, just make sure that you poke a wire up into the holes to make sure they are not blocked with rust an scale. You will never get ALL of the water out of the block, but an ounce or so poses no danger as it has plenty of expansion room.

As mentioned above, you need to drain all low points in the cooling system as well. This includes hoses coolers, etc, any place that water cannot drain naturally.

It took me about 2 hours the first time I drained everything, none of it had been apart/opened in 7-10 years. When I put it all back together I used a little dab of grease on the plugs and hoses, now I can do it all in about 10-15 minutes.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: heaters....

skeptical about heater in a close area with a gas tank under it.

 

[Weldor]

Re: heaters....

skeptical about heater in a close area with a gas tank under it.

Kinda what I was thinking fumes+heat and maybe a little spark from the heater turning off or on = (I can't say it) this can't be good. But if ya got a dipstick type heater that keeps the oil warm it would protect the engine from freezing.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: heaters....

The buckets of damp-rid do really well.Walmart sells them.I think a light bulb in the engine compartment would be safer than a heater.The dipstick warmer sounds like a good idea although i never tried one.
Ditto what 180shabah said about draining all the hoses and steering cooler.

 

[Hashi]

Re: heaters....

Where I live, it doesn't get cold enough for water/fluids to freeze but, it does get cold. I wrap my lower unit in an old thermal blanket (that I use to keep on the boat for emergencies) and wrap a garbage bag over that to keep the rain from soaking the blanket. I also open the hatch to engine compartment just enough for vapors to escape and install a drop light at the back of the engine compartment with a 25 watt light bulb inside. Nowadays though, we have to be energy conservative so I'm thinking of switching the light bulb to a fluorescent type of bulb (13 watts). The bulb doesn't get hot but the ballast does and hope that it gets warm enough to keep the engine warm and transfer the heat to the lower unit. I'm also considering getting a solar operated fan to keep the air moving underneath my boat cover.

On the West Coast, its been unseasonably dry and warm. So I have also been taking my boat out once a month for at least a couple of hours to keep the oil, fluids moving and batteries maintained.

Rich

 

[s2gots]

Re: heaters....

Where I live, it doesn't get cold enough for water/fluids to freeze but, it does get cold. I wrap my lower unit in an old thermal blanket (that I use to keep on the boat for emergencies) and wrap a garbage bag over that to keep the rain from soaking the blanket. I also open the hatch to engine compartment just enough for vapors to escape and install a drop light at the back of the engine compartment with a 25 watt light bulb inside. Nowadays though, we have to be energy conservative so I'm thinking of switching the light bulb to a fluorescent type of bulb (13 watts). The bulb doesn't get hot but the ballast does and hope that it gets warm enough to keep the engine warm and transfer the heat to the lower unit. I'm also considering getting a solar operated fan to keep the air moving underneath my boat cover.

On the West Coast, its been unseasonably dry and warm. So I have also been taking my boat out once a month for at least a couple of hours to keep the oil, fluids moving and batteries maintained.

Rich

Ive wrapped mine with a blanket also..good idea on a plastic bag!! the fan sounds like a good idea too...any idea where to get one??

 

[Boatist]

Re: heaters....

You can buy heaters for the engine area that turn on at 40 degrees. They come in different wattages so you can get the right size for your boat. Since they are made for engine heaters they should create no spark.

Mold and Mildew actually like Moist WARM temperatures so the heater would make it worse. Better to get all the mositure out as guys suggested above.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: heaters....

I don't know if it's what you guys are looking for . But, they make a magnetic heater that sticks on the oil pan of a truck or tractor. It's all self contained and water tight so there would be no spark. I have one for my old tractor. It's a higher wattage then what you seem to be looking for though. I think it's 1500 watts. If you want to know for sure ask. I can go look and get you a brand name.

 

[Hashi]

Re: heaters....

Ive wrapped mine with a blanket also..good idea on a plastic bag!! the fan sounds like a good idea too...any idea where to get one??

Since I'm not supposed to provide links on this forum, send me a private message and I'll give you the name.