When to Dewinterize

[bradtw191]

OK so i put a deposit on my boat a little over a month ago and am trying to decide when to go dewinterize/test drive/pick it up. The marine called and left me a message wanting to do it this weekend i am just worried about the weather dipping down below freezing one night. The forcast looks good with lows in the 40s and 50s mostly but a couple days in the upper 30s. Do you think it is safe to dewinterize yet. I am in central/southern missouri.

 

[wifisher]

Re: When to Dewinterize

I would say go for it. Even if you do get a frost or two, it shouldn't be a hard enough freeze to hurt anything.

 

[bradtw191]

Re: When to Dewinterize

so a light freeze shouldnt hurt? does it have to be hard freeze to really casue damage?

 

[wifisher]

Re: When to Dewinterize

The only thing that will freeze is water. What kind of boat and motor is it. Are you keeping it at home or in a slip?

If it's an outboard, the cooling water will drain if it is out of the water.
If it's an inboard, the motor temp would have to get down to freezing before it can hurt anything. It has to be below freezing for quite a while for this to happen. It is also a fairly easy thing to drain if you are worried about it. Probably something you want to know hoe to do anyway. I'm sure the dealer will show you how for no charge.

EDIT: One more thing. If it is in a slip, the water will help to keep it warm as the water is above 32 deg.

 

[bradtw191]

Re: When to Dewinterize

Its an 18' Sea Ray BR with a 4.3 I/O
I will be keeping it at a storage lot (outside) about 45 min from home an 5 min from the lake
I thought about like you said just draining the water from the block if its something i can do at the storage place?

 

[QC]

Re: When to Dewinterize

Remember that if there is a day with 23 hours at 40+ and one hour at 32- the block and components are not going to drop to 32- as quickly as the air does. And then, when the air warms up they are not going to continue on down to 32 just because the air was there 10 minutes ago . . .

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: When to Dewinterize

That is the age old question boaters (who live in areas that freeze) ask themselves in spring. If you are ready to go out on the water then the only advice I can tell you is have a plan in case mother nature throws you a curve and drops the weather into the twenties for a bit, some say to place a light in the engine bay others say use a small space heater, up to you what you do but I would have a plan in place before I dewinterized.

 

[wifisher]

Re: When to Dewinterize

Just make sure that you know how to drain the block. If you get a really cold stretch, yes, you can drain it in the storage yard easily. I doubt that you will even have to do that.

 

[bradtw191]

Re: When to Dewinterize

I was almost wondering if the forecast looks really bad if i could pay the storage place some money to throw it in a climate controlled on for a night or 2 if they have one open? Am I crazy for thinking they would allow that?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: When to Dewinterize

Can't hurt to call and find out

 

[ziggy]

Re: When to Dewinterize

I thought about like you said just draining the water from the block if its something i can do at the storage place?

ya can do it anywhere ya want. i do it at home, my buddy does it at the ramp. on the ramp. draining the water out of an i/o is normal for an extended season in areas where freeze damage can occur.

get the oem service manual for your rig and follow the directions applicable to your rig for draining all the water out of the systems.

myself, i'll wait till the average temps are above freezing overnight (which is very soon) to summerize. that said. we can get over night lows below freezing against the average. i just watch the forecast and if freeze is possible. i drain the system prior to the freeze. i do this fall and spring and get the extended season...

enjoy your new boat...

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: When to Dewinterize

If you've done your due dilligence in getting all the water out of the motor and drive last fall, pulling the cover off and doing "dry work" will be just fine. It's the day that you stick the muffs on and fire it up and then a cold snap rolls through that will ruin your season pretty quick. Patience my friend, patience. If your boat is anything like mine, I've got a pretty good Spring to do list before I turn the key.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: When to Dewinterize

It's the day that you stick the muffs on and fire it up and then a cold snap rolls through........

PROOF that mother nature has a sense of humor.....

 

[shout]

Re: When to Dewinterize

the mercruisers have an easy drain system, you should be able to go whenever you want, drain the block and manifold when finished, no worries, ask the dealer to show you how to drain it. I have a 3.0 and draining is no problem.

-shout

 

[bradtw191]

Re: When to Dewinterize

PROOF that mother nature has a sense of humor.....

I dont think she is very funny haha
Anyways, I think I am going to go get it on Saturday and make sure i know how to drain the block if need be. But I really feel that the temps will stay above freezing.....but we all know I could be very wrong with natures sense of humor.

 

[bradtw191]

Re: When to Dewinterize

Well i went and got the rest of the cash to pay for the boat so its on for tomorrow

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: When to Dewinterize

In the water you have litte risk of block or drive cracking if the water is not frozen..

did you do an outdrive lube service ? .. would be good before you launch..

YD.