Air doesn't freeze

[Bayou Dave]

In a couple of months I will be winterizing my boat. The air doesn't freeze method is the one that makes the most sense. I know where the drain plugs are and know about running some wire in them to loosen up any dirt that may clog the drain openings. I do have a few questions.
Do you drain the block while the boat is level or with the bow up?
Do you remove the thermostat hoses and remove the thermostat?
After all the water is drained out do you leave the drain plugs open and leave the thermostat hoses off and thermostat out?
Thanks,
Dave

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Air doesn't freeze

Raising/lowering the bow isn't going to make much difference in draining the block. Just leave it level. No reason to remove the thermostat since you are draining the water behind the thermostat with the block drains. I do typically pull the water lines going to the exhaust manifolds/ risers to ensure they are fully drained. I close the drains and reconnect the hoses before putting it away, no sense in leaving them open for insects/debris to find their way into the hoses/passages and clog it up.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air doesn't freeze

Ayuh,..... What I do is,....

Pull the drain plugs outa the block, manifolds, 'n risers(if necessary), 'n prod the holes with a screw,...

Then I pull a water line off the P/S cooler, 'n the Big hose off the circulatin' pump,...

Lower or remove the drive, 'n bid it farewell til spring,...

The block drains are 'bout center, so attitude means little,...
residual water is minimal, 'n will evaporate,...

 

[thumpar]

Re: Air doesn't freeze

I take off the lowest spot on the hoses to make sure all the water is out. I also leave the plugs open. If you can lift up the bow and let is down a couple times just to shake any extra water out. I did this on the old boat the 7 years I had it and never had an issue.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Air doesn't freeze

Something I do is: Once you have removed the petcock Ts start her up. At this point, motor is already warmed and hot water should be flowing out continuously. Stab some wire in those holes anyway, but the hot water helps clean the bilge and and bilge pump. I spray some soap mix before hand and it removes quiet a bit of gunk. To add to that! Your home water heater oughta be drained once a year. Run a garden hose from the home water heater out to the boat and run that hot water through out your bilge after you've coated it with Tide.
P.S. Boat gotta be down hill of the water heater...

Oh yeah, and shut you gas or electric off the water heater first....

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Air doesn't freeze

Thanks for all the answers. This method is so easy I have no idea why anyone goes through the hassle of using anti-freeze.