Sweating Bricks

[rogerwa]

I am just a little anxious.. I was up at my cabin last weekend in NW WI and was going ot pull the boat out and the battery was dead. Why? I do not know.. Anyhow, in that area on a Sunday there is very little one can do. I tried to jump it with the battery out of my Expedition and just could not get enough amps to it. So I came home with the intention of going back up this weekend with a new battery.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we have been having very cold nights up there this week with lows in the upper 20's. this is a 3.0l I/0.. I am hoping that the surrounding 60+degree water will be enough to provide residual heat to keep her from freezing. The outdrive is completely submerged and the motor is partially below the water line. Hopefully, the motor well cover and the boat cover will provide some added insulation.<br /><br />I have no choice to wait until tomorrow, but right now I am just sweating bricks.. Please tell me it will be fine..

 

[roscoe]

Re: Sweating Bricks

Ok, I'll tell you, It will be just fine.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />after you replace the cracked block.<br /><br />Sorry, just had to say it.<br />Its gonna get real cold tomorrow morning after the clouds blow off.<br /><br />Sure you don't want to leave late tonight?<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Sweating Bricks

With the water the warm you should be ok...if you keep sweating, you'll just smell bad, it won't help the boat any...just a thought

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Sweating Bricks

This is just speculation so not worth much more than some potential moral support. But my bet is that you are going to be ok as long as it didn't get colder than upper 20's. <br /><br />Presumably it's quite a bit warmer during the day; boat should collect and hold some heat during the day which it will redistribute via radiation (convection?) as it gets colder. The 60 degree water the boat is sitting in is acting like a heater from below (although no idea how much heat will transfer up through the hull; guess it depends on how it is constructed). <br /><br />Heat from the 60 degree water will be continuously rising upward. If it's not colder than upper 20s on land, bet the heat from the lake will keep air temp within 2 or 3 feet of the water warm enough to keep you out of trouble.<br /><br />Would be interesting to actually measure the difference between temp on land vs. say 2.5 feet above a 60 degree lake.<br /><br />Anyway, good luck!

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Sweating Bricks

I don't know nothing about boats in cold weather, but I have read that if you HAVE to leave a boat in this situation, then you want the drive down in the water. It seems to me that the 60 degree water would keep the temps down enough to keep it from freezing.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Sweating Bricks

You should consider a portable Jump Start battery, available at Wally World and other retailers for less than $100. A rechargeable, on house current, portable jump start battery and some have a small air compressor and flash light built in. They will jump a boat motor and autos/trucks too. I wouldn't take anything for mine...far too handy to have around when you encounter just this type of situation. Just food for thought. Your boat will be okay where it sits.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Sweating Bricks

Temps would have to drop to the twenties and stay there for a while before your block and manifolds would freeze to the point of cracking. Afew hours over night won't hurt it.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: Sweating Bricks

Ditto on the jump box. I bought one when I got my boat and the only time its out of my truck is when im on the boat. I have used that thing so many times its not even funny. It even got me 2 miles home one day with my lincoln town car when the alternator blew and the battery died. (left the hood partially open and tied down with the box under it) Im glad I didnt pass any cops but it got me home.

 

[PlanB]

Re: Sweating Bricks

I don't think you will have any trouble. But, the 3.0 is very easy to drain. The newer model Merc. even has a single point drain. You can drain it to be sure. If it is an older model I think there is just one drain plug in the block (not sure) and you also have to drain the circulating pump by either pulling the plug if it has one or remove the lower hose. There also might be a drain plug in the exhaust manifold.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Sweating Bricks

Well I go her out on Sunday. she started and ran ruff because I must have got a little of fuel in the cylinders trying to start it last weekend. It smoothed but all is well. I had a little pooling of water in the cover from last weekend and it got cold enough to still have ice in the water at 1:00 in the afternoon..<br /><br />We went out before putting her on the trailer and did a little fishing. It was a beautiful day and I was saddened that this is the last time this season I will be out on the lake.<br /><br />My Son caught a nice perch and I pulled in a decent LM bass.

 

[tgkBarney]

Re: Sweating Bricks

It takes several hours at 28 degrees or lower to kill plants- your outdrive in the water should be alright!