Winter Storage

[truline]

Unfortunately we will not be able to build a new garage for our 1993 Bayliner Classic Cuddy 2252. I have been searching for a insulated indoor storage facility near where we live in Western Washington. Curently our barn is not insulated and the temps here in winter do get down into the teens at times.
I am trying to NOT winterize our boat so that we can take it out on the Sound to the San Juan Islands at times during the winter when although it is cold. It is nice and calm to head out on the water.
What we are thinking of doing is procuring some power blankets from this company http://powerblanket.com/ and covering the engine and out drive and kicker. Our engine is internally cooled so what we would need to do is prevent the heat exchangers out drive, and kicker from freezing.

Given all that background the question for the forum is, has anyone ever done this or something similar?

 

[rbh]

Re: Winter Storage

Although I have not heard of the heated/insulated blankets you talked about, I do not think I would go that way.
Washington state still can still get really cold in the winter (even around the ocean), it just takes a couple of hours below 0 to freeze and split your block/ leg/water system/porta potty, you get the point.
I would think the best thing for you would be a closed system for the motor (glycol/antifreeze) (I see you do already, whats the mix at 50/50???) and get good at draining the water out of the exhaust circuit.

Just my 02C

 

[Maclin]

Re: Winter Storage

What happens if you lose power during a hard freeze time? Could be anything from Utility outage to overloaded breakers or work done to the building and they need the power off. Just sayin'...it is not that difficult to at least drain the water from the engine and manifolds.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Winter Storage

kicker won't freeze, it is self draining as long as you remember to store in vertical position

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Winter Storage

drain it... I/O's aren't cold weather boats... Either need an inboard with closed loop that stays in the water, or an outboard. You can do it, but you are risking a very expensive fix if anything goes wrong.