Winterize

[D42ON]

I live right next to Lake Erie and the Walleyes and Steal head are biting now. I heard people who fish there at this time say they don't Winterize there boat till Thanksgiven. I'm sure these guys know what there talking about but is that to long to wait? This is my first year as a boat owner so I'm a rookie please bear with me. If I wait as long as them should I add anything now to prenvent damage or can I wait till about Thanksgiven and just do it all then. Thanks......

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterize

They may not winterize completely till Thanksgiving, but if the temps drop below freezing, I bet they drain the cooling systems on their engines to keep the blocks, manifolds, and coolers from breaking.

 

[heyttown]

Re: Winterize

I live about 5 miles from lake erie, and we have had a few nights already where the forecast was supposed to drop around 32 degrees...Not sure of the actual forecast as the weather guys are normally wrong,but it got cold enough to put frost on my boats windshield.... I imagine the motor would stay a little warmer being under the cowl and out of the wind, but Im not sure how long or exactly how long temps have to be 32 or under to make the block freeze.....

I took my boat out on the lake yesterday, and came home drained all the water out of the block,exhaust manifold, and power steering cooler, and took all of 20 minutes if that.....

Calling for rough weather this entire week, so I just decided yesterday would be my final run this year, and started my winterizing process for this season. depressing