Is it safe to leave boat in?

[larryzx]

Hi, new to this site.

I live on a river in the north east, my question is...I would like to leave my boat with a 83 25 HP Johnson on it at my dock for the winter (river never freezes) in order to keep fishing " beats drilling holes". Is there any danger to the motor if I do this? Already have stabilizer in gas, been running it for a couple weeks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

Ayuh,.... The motor's powerhead is self-drainin', so long as it sits up-right, 'n not tilted....

However,... If it get's cold enough, long enough, there will be ice build up, at the water's level, inside, 'n outside the mid-section...

It Shouldn't hurt it, but I wouldn't do it...

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

Agree with Bondo, water will splash up inside and outside from the boat moving up and down. If cold enough it could freeze there.

 

[82rude]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

if your river never freezes theres no issue what so ever.if you get a light skimming of ice(over anight) still no issue, i fish in that all the time.lots of times were using the boat as a ice breaker in the spring.

 

[larryzx]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

if your river never freezes theres no issue what so ever.if you get a light skimming of ice(over anight) still no issue, i fish in that all the time.lots of times were using the boat as a ice breaker in the spring.

Thanks guys...pretty much as I thought but always nice to get another opinion. I have a constant current flow so freezing isn't a problem. I'll be running the motor about every weekend and If the weather gets to crazy it's not much of a problem to just pull the motor and throw it in the shed.
My biggest worry was if the water would drain out of the engine so I wouldn't end up with something cracking.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

If ice does form around the motor it should be ok but if you start it it may ruin the pump.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

With my luck, I'd come back to the dock and find my boat sunk. Been there, done that. It's just not worth the worry of having problems.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

my family has kept boats in the water for my 55 years. yes we've had a couple of sinking incidents. That's boating. It's worth it, though, as anyone who has kept a boat in the water knows.

OP your motor will be fine. since the water temp is above 32, the air around it is, too, so nothing will happen in your motor. leave it down when the air is below freezing.

keep your gas hose inside, though; they can freeze when it's real cold.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Is it safe to leave boat in?

Boat...river...ice...it sat there for several winters just like this, had to shovel out the snow to use it.