Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

Natesms

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I have a cruiser that stays in the water all year, has twin 95 volvo 7.4's in it. I followed the winterization protocols per the manual and I know I've unhooked and drained everything.

My paranoia is setting in on the fact that there is no way to get the motors 100% perfectly level. They slightly lean towards the back. Should I have briefly fired them up with the water inlet unhooked to blow out anything left in the exhaust manifolds? Or will they still drain ok with the block plugs out and the water hoses unhooked. There is no hose or plug on the back of the manifold to drain on these motors.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

never fire a motor dry - it will take out your raw water impeller

you did drain the hose between the power steering cooler and the raw water pump as well.
If so, you should be fine.
if you are worried, use shop air to pressurize the supply line to your manifolds and block to get any remaining water out.
 

agallant80

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I go through this every winter and every spring its fine. I think I am just making excuses to go down to the boat so I can sit on it, I mean make sure everything is OK.
 

Natesms

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I go through this every winter and every spring its fine. I think I am just making excuses to go down to the boat so I can sit on it, I mean make sure everything is OK.

I know it! I've winterized different bow-riders for years and I still worry about them every winter. Never had a problem either...
 

Alumarine

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

A small amount of water doesn't matter at all.
It will freeze but not break anything.
 

Natesms

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

never fire a motor dry - it will take out your raw water impeller

you did drain the hose between the power steering cooler and the raw water pump as well.
If so, you should be fine.
if you are worried, use shop air to pressurize the supply line to your manifolds and block to get any remaining water out.

I did get all the power steering coolers and oil coolers. If it is a hose that can be removed it came off and blown through. Just with my lungs I was surprise how much extra water I could expel.

Like the post says, I'm sure I'm just paranoid for no reason.
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

boats that sit in liquid water are less exposed to freeze issues than those on trailers, so there's some comfort in that as well.
 

crabby captain john

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I go through this every winter and every spring its fine. I think I am just making excuses to go down to the boat so I can sit on it, I mean make sure everything is OK.

Next time get an outboard and USE the boat all year in coastal NC water.
 

tazrig

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

So long as the boat is sitting in the water and the water doesn't freeze you'll be fine. Draining it is just an extra precaution which means you'll be really, really, really fine. Put your paranoia to bed. You've got no worries.
 

smokeonthewater

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I generally grab a gallon of pink anti freeze and pour a little into each area of the engine and then watch it run out pink
 

Watermann

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I drained my MC 4.3 in October and went out to it 3 freaking times poking, prodding, shaking water hoses and worrying. Your paranoia must be at least 3 times greater with what you stand to loose over me.
 

MH Hawker

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

Well i often go just to visit mine just because. :D
 
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Natesms

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I generally grab a gallon of pink anti freeze and pour a little into each area of the engine and then watch it run out pink

I did that as well into the thermostat housing and the oil/power steering lines. I'm sure it's good to go.

I did pick up a 600W bilge heater off craigslist over the weekend and will be mounting that as soon as I can get down there again. I got the heater so when the itch hits in march I can dewinterize and sleep easy.
 

agallant80

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

Next time get an outboard and USE the boat all year in coastal NC water.

Yeah but I enjoy my A/C, hot water, TV, shower and kitchen on my boat. Its the price for having a cruiser. I know they make some with outboards but I cant afford the Searay 37 Venture quite yet. I will have to make due with my 25 foot Ghettoliner , I mean Bayliner for now.

Sea Ray?370 Venture (2013-)?2013? Reviews,performance,compare,price,warranty, specs,Reports,Specifications Layout, video | BoatTEST.com
 

agallant80

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

And for only 400K it can be all yours!
 

Natesms

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

I went through one of those at the boat show last winter. It was interesting. They talked about all the space, but the cabin didn't seem very large for something that size and I felt like deck space was a little wasted. You can't ride on top of the motors while underway so there was a lot of lounging room that could only be used part of the time.

I could see some of the benefits of the outboards that they mentioned in the article though.
 

tazrig

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Re: Paranoia Setting In with the cold weather

:eek:
File that under the - learn something new everyday - category.

I never knew an animal like that existed, love it, thanks for posting.

Actually now there are several manufactures that have that style with the hidden outboard motors.
 
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