Winterization difficulty

R

R Lowery

Recruit
Joined
Nov 12, 2025
Messages
3
Okay, bare with me I am new here and this is my first post.

trying to partially winterize my boat.

I purchased this 19.5' spectrum with a blown 4.3l inboard a couple months ago. I was hoping to have it back together by now, but life happens.

engine is removed, it had a half cooling system, but I am concerned about the outdrive, it is also blocked in the raised position so the prop cup holds rain water.

How do I winterized the outdrive alone? I can probably lift the outdrive with a jack, remove hyd lines, and blocks and lower it. Do I need to pour antifreeze in it?

Thanks
 
Scott06

Scott06

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,308
R Lowery said:
Okay, bare with me I am new here and this is my first post.

trying to partially winterize my boat.

I purchased this 19.5' spectrum with a blown 4.3l inboard a couple months ago. I was hoping to have it back together by now, but life happens.

engine is removed, it had a half cooling system, but I am concerned about the outdrive, it is also blocked in the raised position so the prop cup holds rain water.

How do I winterized the outdrive alone? I can probably lift the outdrive with a jack, remove hyd lines, and blocks and lower it. Do I need to pour antifreeze in it?

Thanks
Click to expand...
the outdrive it self in the down position is self draining as long as the drain holes are clear. I spalsh some af in the prop hub to take care of any residual and if you leave it outside you should cover the prop ub so no snow/ice or leaves get in.

If you are worried about a new to you boat pull the drive and store inside until you can verify not crap is in there that will prevent if from draining also can make sure there is no water in the bellows either.
 
R

R Lowery

Recruit
Joined
Nov 12, 2025
Messages
3
Scott06 said:
the outdrive it self in the down position is self draining as long as the drain holes are clear. I spalsh some af in the prop hub to take care of any residual and if you leave it outside you should cover the prop ub so no snow/ice or leaves get in.

If you are worried about a new to you boat pull the drive and store inside until you can verify not crap is in there that will prevent if from draining also can make sure there is no water in the bellows either.
Click to expand...
thanks.
it shouldn't be plugged, I took it on the water when i first got it so i could verify the drive worked before teardown. got 39mph with 2 cyl's being pretty knackered. and it spewing coolant from the heat exchanger(headgasket was blown between #1-#3 and pressurizing cooling system).
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,350
R Lowery said:
yep, never said i was smart, or experienced in boats.
Click to expand...
Ayuh,....... Welcome Aboard,..... You need to have the drive, Off, to put the motor back in, so do it now, then there's no worries,....
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
51,723
agree with above

trying to swap a motor with the drive in is 5x as difficult than doing it with the drive off since you have to have the drive off to align the motor.

just drain the gear lube and pull the drive off the boat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top