I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

[acupajoe]

Is there a certain water temp. Have merc 120.

Thanks

Joe

 

[islandergirl]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

We live on Long Island and generally keep the boat in until the second week of November.

 

[tommays]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Well

A few things that come up are when Sea-Tow shuts down and your general saftey as the water gets COLD

 

[QC]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Move . . . and I am thinking ice will help to keep her on plane though

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I'm North of you by about 5-6 hours drive so I pack mine in towards the end of Oct. Something about wearing ski gloves fishing and a toque to keep my head warm that doesn't make it as fun (and that's when the boat is stopped)

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I would guess that when you back your boat down the boat ramp and it rolls across the ice, that would be a pretty good indication it may be a tad too cold to go boating.

 

[mthieme]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

stop boating ????
I've heard there were people like that.

 

[captlee]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Im on Long Island, when I had my 25' pacemaker in the water Id haul it around mid december. Friend of mine leaves his in until he cant get out the creek anymore because of the ice.

Im thinking of keeping my 17' proline in the garage this winter so I can get out anytime theres a nice day

 

[Uraijit]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

How do you guys keep from freezing your engines? Do you drain your manifolds (and block, if using raw cooling systems) after every trip out?

 

[mthieme]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I have fresh water cooling - anti-freeze.

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I'm in Jersey too,
if the boat can float,
it'll be in the water

 

[Uraijit]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I have fresh water cooling - anti-freeze.

Don't you still dump raw water through the risers and manifolds, with closed cooling?

 

[Bondo]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I would guess that when you back your boat down the boat ramp and it rolls across the ice, that would be a pretty good indication it may be a tad too cold to go boating.

Ayuh,....

I pull my boat off the dock in mid-October due to freezing temps,....
I then use it as a trailer boat til the Ice is so thick, the trailer won't break thru, so I can launch....

Back in 06, we went boating on Jan.6, 06......'course, that day was a weird balmy 60? too....

And,...
It takes me a whooping 15 seconds to pull the drain plugs from the motor,....
It stays drained from the 1st of October til when I launch again in April....

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Depends if its fresh water or salt water as well since salt water doesn't freeze at as high a tempurture.

It also depends on who is winterizing your boat and how much work there is to do. Outboards being simple and large twin engine cruisers with fresh waters systems, heads, showers, etc take a lot more work and time.

Personally I'm in Rhode Island. The boat ins in for the season, and then it gest hauled out mid october. The boat is stored in my yard for the winter, and I winterize the boat myself so it takes time and I must allow for beating the sub freezing temps while it in the process of getting winterized.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Cool. Good point about the salt water. I didn't consider that.

I'll probably be done skiing, etc., come mid-October as well. But Over the late fall and winter, I'm planning on doing quite a bit of upgrade work etc. Planning on taking it out a few times for testing, and just pulling the plugs as well. Hope to have it running like a top, and ready for summer on the first day of spring!

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Remember Zamboni's always have the right of way

 

[Uraijit]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Remember Zamboni's always have the right of way

Even over sailboats?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I pull Boat out on the trailer at the ramp i stop out of the way and, pull my plug, and put the drive down to drain it.

I put back up the drive and go home.

Park it in my driveway i put the drive down and run fresh water thru the motor and drive flushing it. Than i turn of the motor and drain the block and manifold.

I pour a little anti freeze down the hoses and your done.

15 minutes to get her ready to go and fifteen minutes to put her away.

Leave the drive down so you don't freeze your water pump.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

I look for goose bumps on my *** to gauge it, to be exact!

 

[mthieme]

Re: I'm in NJ...when should we stop boating?

Don't you still dump raw water through the risers and manifolds, with closed cooling?

I thought the same thing. The first time I went to drain them, antifreeze came out. So I'm not exactly sure at what point the heat exchange takes place. The heat exchanger itself has at least nine hoses connected it to...the cooling system is quite a maze. I haven't been curious enough to crack open the manual.

My dad's boat works the same way.