Winterizing Question

[kottenmouth21]

Does anyone winterize that lives in AZ? I just noticed on the news it’s supposed to get down around 37 at night. I have never winterized the boat while living here. Its only went below freezing for over 24hrs once in 5 years.

Any thoughts? I normally just throw some fuel stabilizer the last trip to the lake near the ride back.

Anything else I should be doing to be safe?

Thanks

[jbort]

Any ballast tanks? if factory ballast or permament then pumps and/or hoses could freeze but needs to get to 32.

[kottenmouth21]

I guess I'm good then.

[kottenmouth21]

I'm sure that helps.

[chpthril]

Quick dips below freezing over night, are not enough to freeze up a block.

I use an electric heater with a ceramic element for nights/days when i know the temps are going to drop low, but I dont have the water drained. I got a couple a few years back at Target for like $15.00 ea. They are fairly similar to an actual marine engine bay heater (which I would recommend if you keep your boat in a marine slip)

[jbort]

Garage helps alot

[Kvon]

Kotten,
I too was a little worried today and tonight. It snowed in H-town today for a few hours and it is supposed to get down to 27 tonight. Mine is in the garage and i left all of the garage lights on and dropped a 60 watt lamp into the engine cabin. I just checked it out and it is still warm in the garage. You should be good fo sho
kvon

[kottenmouth21]

Wow, snow in Houston right? I saw on the news snow in Dallas but Houston? If so I had N Laws that used to live in Humble or Antacosita (Spell). I spent many Xmas's there and it was simialr to AZ... shorts & a Tshirt.

[Kvon]

Humble is right down the street from me. Yeah, usually shorts and t's but this was totally out of the norm.


Wow, snow in Houston right? I saw on the news snow in Dallas but Houston? If so I had N Laws that used to live in Humble or Antacosita (Spell). I spent many Xmas's there and it was simialr to AZ... shorts & a Tshirt.

[TRD]

Quick dips below freezing over night, are not enough to freeze up a block.

I use an electric heater with a ceramic element for nights/days when i know the temps are going to drop low, but I dont have the water drained. I got a couple a few years back at Target for like $15.00 ea. They are fairly similar to an actual marine engine bay heater (which I would recommend if you keep your boat in a marine slip)I have a dumb question. I have a heater w/ ceramic elements but it is too big for the engine department, the warmth is keep inside w/ the engine cover down correct? Could I raise the engine cover and get the same affect? My heater has a thermostat on it and everything, comes on and off by itself. Just wanted to know if it would work. Thinking about going to Lowes and getting a drop light.

[chpthril]

I have a dumb question. I have a heater w/ ceramic elements but it is too big for the engine department, the warmth is keep inside w/ the engine cover down correct? Could I raise the engine cover and get the same affect? My heater has a thermostat on it and everything, comes on and off by itself. Just wanted to know if it would work. Thinking about going to Lowes and getting a drop light.

If you keep the cover on the boat, then it would not take much heat to keep it above freezing, so yes, prop up the engine cover and set the heater on the edge of the engine bay facing the engine and you should be fine.

[TRD]

If you keep the cover on the boat, then it would not take much heat to keep it above freezing, so yes, prop up the engine cover and set the heater on the edge of the engine bay facing the engine and you should be fine.thanks

[yllw20]

I always just pulled the blue plugs in the engine and let the water drain and tow around about 10 miles w/some hills to get all out. stabilize the fuel - you shouldn't have to worry about freeze then

[TRD]

I always just pulled the blue plugs in the engine and let the water drain and tow around about 10 miles w/some hills to get all out. stabilize the fuel - you shouldn't have to worry about freeze thenI'm only worried about the next 2 wks, we are suppose to go out and test the Hydro-plane boat and I go as a spotter. So I didn't want to do the full winterization yet. Block is drained already, just haven't done the other stuff yet.

[chpthril]

I'm only worried about the next 2 wks, we are suppose to go out and test the Hydro-plane boat and I go as a spotter. So I didn't want to do the full winterization yet. Block is drained already, just haven't done the other stuff yet.

Dale, I dont have anything on my schedule as of yet that will take me to or through the Winston/High Point area. Do you want me to ship your prop so you have it for boat test. I'll even lend you my puller so you can swap it out.

[TRD]

Dale, I dont have anything on my schedule as of yet that will take me to or through the Winston/High Point area. Do you want me to ship your prop so you have it for boat test. I'll even lend you my puller so you can swap it out.PM sent...

[RID22]

You should be fine, the general rule is 24 degrees for 24 hours - "24/24" I don't know who came up that saying, but it seems to be true. Coming from Colorado, 32 degrees barely freezes water. You could leave a glass of water outside at 32 degrees overnight and it won't freeze. I wouldn't worry about your boats. None of the fluids are exposed to the open air, so they are insulated to some degree.

[TRD]

Do you have to change out the oil in the velvet drive at the end of the year? Does it hurt if it is in until warmer weather?

It is suppose to be in the 30's tomorrow and don't want to put the boat in the water to warm up the oil.

[chpthril]

Do you have to change out the oil in the velvet drive at the end of the year? Does it hurt if it is in until warmer weather?

It is suppose to be in the 30's tomorrow and don't want to put the boat in the water to warm up the oil.

Changing the V-drive and transmission oit is not as crucial as changing engine oil is before winter storage. But, there are 2 reasons I recommend doing it in the Fall as opposed to Spring; 1) it can be normal for a slight amount of water/condensation to build up in the fluid over the season. This may lead to a little bit of corrosion in the components over the winter. 2) while you're there changing the engine oil, might as well do the others. This way, come Spring, the boat is ready to go.

[TRD]

I'm taking it to work tomorrow, it's HEATED!!! is it important to drop it in the water to warm up the tranmission fluir, or will it suck out cold? I have always done it earlier then this.

[chpthril]

I'm taking it to work tomorrow, it's HEATED!!! is it important to drop it in the water to warm up the transmission fluid, or will it suck out cold? I have always done it earlier then this.

You can do it cold, trans fluid actually flows pretty easy cold.

[chadster2]

I thought that water had to be push out with air to get all the hoses empty and something about the tranny got cooled through a small radiator... Or was this radiator in the water line?