Winterizing in Florida?

[winenut]

This is probably a stupid question, and may be in the wrong topic, but here goes...

If we only plan on NOT using our boat for a couple of months during the winter and it is stored in our garage in northeast Florida, is it necessary to winterize the engine? We always flush the engine (it's an I/O), wash the boat down and dry it before putting it away.

Thanks!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

If it freezes in your area and stays below 32 degrees for days on end then yes.
BUT, I don't think that is the case where your at.

 

[winenut]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

It goes down below freezing a few times at night in January, but it always warms up during the day. That's why I love Florida!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

It goes down below freezing a few times at night in January, but it always warms up during the day. That's why I love Florida!

Same here in vegas.
But I STILL pull the plugs for added, "piece of mind"!

 

[winenut]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

a light bulb under the dog house, and change the lower unit oil, so you know there is no water. store with foot all the way down. you are fine in No Fl.

 

[winenut]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

a light bulb under the dog house, and change the lower unit oil, so you know there is no water. store with foot all the way down. you are fine in No Fl.

Could you translate that in landlubber speak? Sorry to be ignorant...I don't have any idea what a dog house or a foot is. We are new to boating and want to learn to do things the right way. Thanks for the input!!! :redface:

 

[Labman]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

I do believe, Dog house, cover over your inboard engine. that lump in the rear of your hull, that takes up all that room.
Foot= lower your leg to bottom of travel, after changing leg (foot) oil.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Not to take any thunder from TD but it's almost 2200 hrs - so - LOL !!!
Sorry TD - just couldn't resist.

The foot is your outdrive or lower unit. Keeping it in the down position will keep the rubber boots from stretching and possibly cracking - among other things. They should always be kept in the 'down' position when stored.

Your doghouse is the engine compartment cover. Affectionetly called that because it looks like one - sorta'.

Hoped that helped to clarify.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

What is winterizing??? Sounds like something a couple of Eskimos might try. Can you try that alone or does it take two people??

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

my manifold cracked last january in gainesville fl. it was running hot (manifold only)on my first couple of maiden voyages, so in the fall i just parked it underneath the carport and when i uncovered it in march to have "new everything" put on we discovered the one manifold that got hot had cracked. this year i am hoping to have the drain plugs out and throw a blanket on top of the motor as worst case scenario

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Don't forget to stabil your fuel.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

actually in Florida we do not winterize, due that most of use our boats year round. as a kid it was tradition to water ski on new years day, no matter how cold it was. the I/O's have to take a few precautions, but the OB's, just left the motor in the running position, so it will drain. and change the lower oil before the first freeze, just in case of water intrusion. you don't want a cracked lower.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Even if freezing is not a concern, there are still a couple of steps to be taken:
1. Fill the fuel tank. This will eliminate as much air from the tank as possible and reduce the amount of condensation forming in the tank.
2. Stabilize the fuel. Do a search on ethanol to see why this is even more important now than in past years.
3. Fog the cylinders. This can be done with a commercial product available in most boating stores, or just put a couple of teaspoons of oil in each cylinder, turn the engine over a couple of times and reinstall the plugs. Even WD-40 would work. This will coat the cylinders with oil and protect them from rust forming on the cylinder walls.
4. Disconnect the battery. There are usually some parasitic drains that will kill the battery eventually if you leave it connected. You may also install a "battery maintainer" NOT A BATTERY CHARGER. The maintainer will keep the battery fully charged without overcharging. Even a trickle charger will overcharge a battery if left connected for long periods.
5. Change the engine and lower unit lube. Acids build up in oil with normal use (especially engine oil). You don't want these acids sitting in the engine when it is not being used.
When you take the boat out of storage, reconnect the battery and it will be ready to go. There will be some smoke until the oil or fogging solution is burned out of the system.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

What is winterizing??? Sounds like something a couple of Eskimos might try. Can you try that alone or does it take two people??

Winterizing is simply removing anything from your motor that might freeze. Most commonly water. Since water expands when it freezes it will crack exhaust manifolds, lower units, engine blocks. Even though you have no water - not supposed to - in your lower unit it is still a good practice to drain and refill with fresh oil before any winter layup. There just might be that chance some water worked its way in there, and the consequences are the same.
Some folks say that one overnight freeze won't do any damage but I wouldn't like to take that chance.
Here's a good checklist for you to read. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/winteriz.htm

 

[winenut]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Great information! Thanks so much for all the advice.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Unfortunately, I know these steps. Up here in Ottawa, Canada, - you know the southern part Canada just a few hours North of NY we get to do this ritual each fall. Our seasons do well get 6 months of the year on the water (sure you can go longer if you don't mind fishing in a toque and ski gloves)

While you folks are boating in Jan/Feb, we're skating on the exact same part of the bay we launch our boats in. (Really cold days it hits minus 30s)

The good news is when the spring thaw rolls around, it makes you appreciate boating that much more. But, come fall you wish you were in FL.

Would love to drag my boat down to FL for some great bass fishing.

 

[winenut]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

Unfortunately, I know these steps. Up here in Ottawa, Canada, - you know the southern part Canada just a few hours North of NY we get to do this ritual each fall. Our seasons do well get 6 months of the year on the water (sure you can go longer if you don't mind fishing in a toque and ski gloves)

While you folks are boating in Jan/Feb, we're skating on the exact same part of the bay we launch our boats in. (Really cold days it hits minus 30s)

The good news is when the spring thaw rolls around, it makes you appreciate boating that much more. But, come fall you wish you were in FL.

Would love to drag my boat down to FL for some great bass fishing.

It's hard to beat the climate here...we're from New Jersey originally and don't miss the winters at all. I do miss the fall leaves changing color...but I'll take mild winters in exchange any day, and take a road trip to see the colors!

This will be our first winter with the boat, so we'll have to wait and see how chillly is too chilly for me to go out on the water! -

 

[Labman]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

North central Alberta, Labour Day weekend Honey Do List;
1) Drain pool
2) Winterize boat
3) Check all vehicle antifreeze.
Real short season here!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Winterizing in Florida?

I hear you labman. Without a heater, my pool is done labour day wknd.

However, I resist until closer to mid to end of Oct on the boat as I fight to the end to enjoy every opportunity at bass fishing. However, last year, I winterized it the last day of the season and the temp was floating around 4-6 degree Celsius in the rain wearing hats, gloves and winter pants. Maybe I'm trying to extend it just a little too far