to winterize or not to winterize?????

[fishingman220]

I have 96 22 foot proline, with an 350 with a alpha one. i does have a closed cooling system. My question is what is the best way to keep it so it doesnt freeze but i can still use it this winter for cat and rock fishing??? also with the water on board, i have a tank and raw water wash down. if i leave a sea **** closed, and the tank and lines has antifreeze is there anything to worry about??? please help, because if its too much i need to winterize soon. thanks for all the help.

 

[Don S]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

You have to drain the raw water side of the cooling system. Raw water puts lake/ocean water into the cooling system to cool the antifreeze side of the system. IS your exhaust manifolds cooled with antifreeze or sea water? If raw water cooled, they along with the risers need drained, plus the sea watere side of the heat exchanger.
Best thing you could do is download the OEM service manual and study the cooling system.
Here is a link to the manual you need.
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/17/17cov2r2.pdf

Go to the outline and download the section letter you want to read. I would suggest you download them all, for future reference.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

so does that take long, is it worth the hassle to be able to take it out in the cold???

 

[fishingman220]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

manifolds are raw water

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

so does that take long, is it worth the hassle to be able to take it out in the cold???

Once you familiarize yourself with the system, it should be quick....
Make sure you drain the manifolds & poke the openings with an awl or such to ensure they do not clog & drain completely......

 

[mtnrat]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

I would drain the manifolds and remove and drain the raw water hoses to the heat exchanger every time out. If your raw water pump is attached to the crank pulley that is a good place to remove the two hoses and drain the raw water.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

Fisherman, It sounds like you keep the boat in the water. If so, the water will need to get quite cold before you need to worry about the temp of the air.

My raw water 4.3LX/Alpha used to stay in the salt water until late November in NJ, without any trouble. I would then put a 40 Watt heating pad under the oil pan, and on those cold nights 20-30 degrees, I would plug it in.

Remember salt water doesn't freeze until about 28 degrees, and the bay didn't get to that temp until Jan or later. The heating pad was some insurance against the air temp dropping into the teens.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: to winterize or not to winterize?????

i keep my boat on a trailer, and would like to cat and rock fish this year, and it doesnt sound that bad so i guess i will give it a try. thanks