Dang on Winter Damage

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I was finally able to get into my boat yeasterday for the first time since November. I still had to shovel a bunch of snow off of the engine cover and out of the footwell leading into the cabin. (27' Victoria).<br /><br />When I pulled the engine compartment cover up, I found out that there is about 8" of solid ice. My starter is about 1/3 submerged in the ice. The level did not get up past the crankshaft seals so I feel confident that no damage there.<br /><br />Due to the stages of freezing this winter, the ice built up in layers. The drain plug was not blocked by any debri, just ice.<br /><br />My question is this, "Would a heat tape that is used on water pipes or gutters be okay to lay into the bilge to let the water drain instead of stacking up?"<br /><br />The starter will be removed and cleaned, lubed, and re-installed. It should be okay since no power has been applied since it was submerged.<br /><br />Thanks.....SS

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Dang on Winter Damage

Never had to do it, but it sounds like a good idea. I assume there would be nothing wrong with laying it in the bilge, as long as there is no risk of vapors being ignited. Which, during the off season, that would not be a problem.

 

[magster65]

Re: Dang on Winter Damage

You should try and cover it, all that water will surely come back to haunt you as rotten wood or something.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Dang on Winter Damage

I agree you need to keep the water out.<br /> If you do use the heat tape be sure it doesnt cross itself.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Dang on Winter Damage

what about a turbo heater? they have cheap ones now starting at $100.00 thaey run off of propane. if you have/get one of these things I would place it 10 feet from the engine and let it run on low for have hour on, half hour off. That might work?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Dang on Winter Damage

You could also run a 100 watt light bulb. That may generate enough heat to keep it ice free.<br /><br />By the way I had one of those Victorias years ago. Underpowered for my taste and a bit$h to trailer but great layout - especially the flybridge. Hope you are enjoying it.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Dang on Winter Damage

just check out the heat tape real well b4 buying it, SSM. most that i've seen have to be in tight contact with a water pipe, according to the warning documents with it. it will overheat if not. i think they get upwards of 145* or something like that. i guess that would mean your tape would need to be real tight against something in the engine compartment always, in order to dissipate heat correctly. <br /><br />i bought some for my pipes but took it back b4 using it, so i can't say how picky it really is about air gaps underneath the tape.<br /><br />i tried to find, but gave up on replacing a little immersion heat coil that i used to keep in the outside watertub for my animals. it died last fall, and i couldn't find another one. but i haven't run a search on the i-net for it. it was orginally for keeping a cup of liquid/coffee/etc warm. i had it on a photocell timer, and it would clip to the washtub, and keep the surface from freezing over.<br /><br />or maybe the floodlight suggestion may do it? i used to heat a doghouse that way. it kept it pretty toasty in cold weather. luckily, i never had to test a night in there myself