The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

[Glowplug007]

So temps here in chattanooga are dropping at night, but I have seen many high 60-low 70 degree days. To get anywhere around town you have to take bridges over the river and I see boats out there all the time. My boat however is still in shrink wrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! iiiiiiiiiii wwwwwwwwaaaant toooooo cuuuuuuuuut thhhheeeee ssssshhhhhrrriiiinkkkkk wrrrraaaaaaappp sssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just relocated here so I dont have a garage as im living in an apartment. I obviously still have the shrink wrap on. I had the dealer winterize the boat (2010 bayliner 175) when he shrink wrapped it. He said all I have to do is hook up the battery and fill it up with gas. I have snap on covers and a full cover with straps for trailering. If I do cut off the shrink wrap and hit the water is there a quick way to winterize if the temps go under 32? Can I just undo a couple hoses and run some AF through it? Weather channel says the lowest temp in the next 10 days is 37 so having to winterize again is still a possibility. Would you cut the wrap or deal with the pain of seeing other people enjoying their boats every other day?!!!!

 

[90stingray]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

If you are going to take the time to pull hoses to pour in a/f... why not just drain the block and manifolds when you are done boating? Easy enough. And you don't have to buy any a/f. Hell yeah, if you got the time... get out on the water! Just remember, even if it's 60-70 degrees, the water is prolly on 40. Have fun

 

[Glowplug007]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

if draining the block and manifold is like unscrewing 2 bolts ill cut that wrap tomorrow! but i doubt its that easy, especially since I have no idea how to do it!

 

[Augoose]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

Locate and download the manual for your engine under the adults only section for your manufacturer and then read up on where the drains for your particular engine are. I did the same on my mercruiser and after doing it a couple of times, I could drain all the water out of my engine and temporarily "winterize" it in under 5 minutes.
Basically as has been said and for a I/O, you will "typically" have two drains for the block, drains for the manifold and risers on each side, and then you will need to dump the water out of the hoses and thermostat assembly. Keep a extra socket wrench with just the sockets you need to do the job in a separate bag to make the process a little quicker!

 

[southkogs]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

Hey Glow - I'm only a little north of you (near Nashville) and we've only had a handful of below freezing nights all year. Pretty much "no winter" this year in TN. We're in March, brother - cut the wrap, launch, enjoy: rinse and repeat as necessary

I'm trying to wrap up a couple of engine projects and then I intend to splash in the next few weeks. Many others been boating all year. I expect we'll start seeing more days in the 60's shortly.

Time to start watchin' for tornados, though.

 

[oops!]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

the drain for the block is at the bottom, just above the oil pan.....
there is a drain under the manifold as well.... if you have a v6 or v8...there is two....

if you have power steering, then you will need to disconnect the power steering hose, and drain the water out of the cooler.....the cooler is found by following the inlett line from the transom....

if this is an out board.....just leave the motor down.

another option i dont reccomend, is to put a light bulb in the motor area....this is risky if the bulb burns out or the power goes out.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

Temps will need to be well below 32 degrees for several days before it would freeze. Just because 32 degrees is freezing, that does not mean the water in your block will turn to ice cubes. Draining the block after use is safe if you want.

 

[southkogs]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

ON THE WATER!!! GO NOW, NOW, NOW!!! It's sunny and 71? RIGHT NOW!!!!! Cut the wrap bro ... cut the wrap!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: The wait is killing me, think im about to make a mistake..........

Hey! It's been 20 minutes ... are you on the water yet?