Opinions on timing of winterizing

[abberboo32]

Hi everyone,

We have been boating a couple years now and our weather in Atlanta GA is generally warm for quite a while and we havent needed to winterize until late in November but we have and are in the midst of these sudden very low night temps. I know how to winterize, that is not my question, what I would like to hear opinions on is if we need to go winterize tonight or are we ok for a few days. Here is what we are facing: 20s at night and up to 45ish during the day - pretty much all week long.

We have a Wellcraft inboard / outboard and it is not in the water as it is on a hydrohoist at the marina.

With these temperatures should it be winterized tonight or can we wait until this weekend?

Thanks for any opinions/suggestions you have on if we are ok or if we need to be worried.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

I fish until December 31 so I never fully winterized until early January.

Back when I had an I/O I just drained the block after each outing and hung a light bulb under the motor cover on nights it got real cold. Never had a problem

 

[lkbum]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

Just put the boat down in the water and you'll be fine. If you're on lake lanier, call 770-945-1467, then hit 1 for lake info. You'll hear the current surface temp at the dam is 58 F. that's a long way from freezing. Having a 58F surface on the portion of the boat in the water will keep the entire boat above freezing if you have a cover on it. Altoona is probably near the same water temp, but I don't have the number handy. I keep my boat on the a lift also. In cases like this, if I haven't winterized it, I lower the lift most of the way down, enough to where most of the hull is in the water (about 95% down). It stays on the lift, I don't have to worry about mooring lines. I do have the merc cathod system, and I make sure to lower it enough to cover the zincs.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

i too live in GA (marietta) and about 2 weeks ago when we got those sudden cold spurts at night i decided to winterize then.


if anything pull the plugs and drain. worry about the rest later.

water in the motor is priority

Good luck.

Cant wait till spring to get back on lanier.

 

[abberboo32]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

Thanks everyone!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

lower unit down, drain the block and manifolds. it looks like we have an early winter. it does not take long to put the plugs back in, if you want to use the boat.

 

[flingus]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

My marina just called me yesterday on my way to work and said it would be a good idea to winterize now. I told them to go ahead and do it. (1st Mate in Cumming GA) I think it's gonna get down to 22 degrees! Thats colder than it is in Michigan!!!!!!

Thanks for the lake info number Ikbum! I went swimming in Lake Lanier last month and I was wondering what the water temp was. (And yes, I was wearing a wetsuit) Still screamed like a little girl when I got in though. Lol.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Opinions on timing of winterizing

I was swimming here in NC last month when we had those two 85 degree days.
Water temp was 61....talk about a shock! It was still fun though..

Forcast tonight is 21*....brrrrrrr!