Bilge Heaters

[TomB985]

Hello everyone,

I was reading my new BoatUS magazine today and saw an advertisement for a bilge heater. Never heard of such a thing, and it looks like they are intended to keep an engine compartment warm over the winter to eliminate the risk of freeze damage to the engine. The good part is that my little Larson 18.5' bowrider would only need the small, 300W unit. The bad news is that it still costs over $300, and feeding such a heater 300W all 5 months of winter would cost over $125 over the entire winter.

So what's the benefit here? Is there a circumstance where it would be worth buying?

 

[90stingray]

Re: Bilge Heaters

Maybe if you use your boat thru the winter. Just unplug it and go. No rewinterizing between each trip out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bilge Heaters

Learn to drain your block in the winter. Usually a 5 to 15 minute job, and there is absolutely no need for the heater.

ps: even if you want to use the boat in the winter, going down the highway in below freezing weather can and will freeze your block.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Bilge Heaters

As noted the benefit for someone leaving there boat in the water where the temps go below freezing.Quite often people will leave them in late into the year for fishing.Being on the water that is not below freezing also has a tendency to keep the block from freezing and the heater or a block heater is extra insurance.Not intended for someone that is storing it for the winter.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Bilge Heaters

A bilge heater is for people that boat year round and leave there boat slipped. It will help the block from freezing. No need for anything on the outdrive as long as it is left in the water. Also have to make sure the power never goes out when the temps are low enough to freeze the block.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Bilge Heaters

Makes sense, guys! I was never seriously considering it, but I was very curious why anyone would use such a device. It took me a good 20 minutes to find all 5 of my drain plugs, but now that I know where they are it takes less than 3 minutes to drain the water.

Thanks!

 

[madurodave]

Re: Bilge Heaters

If I decided to leave my boat in the water (lift not possible at this time), could I just drain the block and leave the outdrive in the water? As an example, today it's 36 degrees but the water is 49 degrees. Is there any risk in hurting my ourdrive with freezing water above the waterline by leaving it in the water (and draining the block)?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge Heaters

Hello everyone,

I was reading my new BoatUS magazine today and saw an advertisement for a bilge heater. Never heard of such a thing, and it looks like they are intended to keep an engine compartment warm over the winter to eliminate the risk of freeze damage to the engine. The good part is that my little Larson 18.5' bowrider would only need the small, 300W unit. The bad news is that it still costs over $300, and feeding such a heater 300W all 5 months of winter would cost over $125 over the entire winter.

So what's the benefit here? Is there a circumstance where it would be worth buying?

Ayuh,... Those things give a False sense of security to those who are to Lazy to properly Drain their motors...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge Heaters

If I decided to leave my boat in the water (lift not possible at this time), could I just drain the block and leave the outdrive in the water? As an example, today it's 36 degrees but the water is 49 degrees. Is there any risk in hurting my ourdrive with freezing water above the waterline by leaving it in the water (and draining the block)?

Ayuh,.... At those temps, there's No danger....

 

[madurodave]

Re: Bilge Heaters

Ayuh,... Those things give a False sense of security to those who are to Lazy to properly Drain their motors...

bond-o, if I drain my motor and keep the block plugs out, can I keep my boat in the water?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge Heaters

bond-o, if I drain my motor and keep the block plugs out, can I keep my boat in the water?

Ayuh,.... Better yet,.... Pull the plugs, prod the holes, drain it, 'n reinstall the plugs,....

If ya got a P/S Cooler, it'll need drainin' too...
'n in sub-28? temps, pull the Big hose off the circulating water pump...

It'll be Good to Go.....

Air don't Freeze.....