Did not winterize

[xecutech]

I left my boat in the slip this year and didn't pull it for the winter.<br />I checked on it today and it was still floating and had no water in it!<br />I live in Nashville and the winter wasn't very bad this year, but I am scared to crank it up.<br />I need to pull it and since I didn't winterize it, what do I need to do first?<br />it has a 91 omc 4.3 litre engine

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Did not winterize

Drain and check,refill outdrive.<br />Change oil,filters..<br />Pulls plugs,inspect for rust and replace.<br />Put a little WD-40 in cylinders and turn engine.<br />Charge battery.<br /><br />CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND FIRE IT UP!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Did not winterize

If you didn't get any freezes (below 27 deg), I'd just pull the coil wire, crank it till the oil pressure rises, replace the coil wire and fire it up. At some near point you'd want to check your outdrive fluids.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Did not winterize

X, I live in Alabama and it did go below freezing (it freezes at 32 degrees in AL, 27degrees in Vancouver?) several times this past winter. Change oil before you do anything. Not a bad suggestion to pull the coil wire, crank to build oil pressure, reconnect coil, try to start. BUT, if it starts, run and keep an eye on the oil. If the oil level grows or changes color, shut it off. To keep it running will only cause more damage. Also, it would be wise to change the foot oil. There are a lot of other service items to address at the beginning of the season but if you did not winterize, doubt you care to do the preseason check list. Just taking a poll, why the negligence in not winterizing, didn't know you had to, or, lazy? It just blows my mind how many boat owners find out at the beginning of the season that their engines are trashed because they didn't know they had to winterize. They find out the hard way that they CANNOT just park them and forget them until their next outting. <br />Lets do the math, 30 minutes to winterize OR 3000 or more to rebuild, plus losing time on the water, easy for me to figure out.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: Did not winterize

Start out by saying a prayer, "Dear Lord, please forgive me for not winterizing my boat.."<br /><br />Seriously, check all the fluid levels, hook up the muffs if you brought it up on land or leave in the water, start it up, watch the guages. Get it up to normal operating temps. Recheck your oil and see if the level has risen or looks discolored. Pull the plugs and look for any sign of water. Look for any water in the bilge area or any water leaking from the manifold, block, riser. <br /><br />If everything looks ok, change out the oil and look over the color. If milky or chocolate looking, theres water, and a crack somewhere from the freezing. If the oil looks fine and theres no water present, consider yourself extremely lucky. And then go to church to say Thanks!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Did not winterize

At least you probably have alot more margin before damage than boaters further north. How cold does the water get in your lake during the winter? I'd guess it stays above 50 deg or so?<br /><br />I'd certainly play it safe in the future & winterize, but you did have your boat floating in lets say 50 deg + water, and I'd guess the air temp would be several degrees warmer right next to the lake surface than off the lake.<br /><br />Plus, I'm assuming it was covered (both engine cover and canvas over the entire boat?) which might have helped a bit.<br /><br />Not worth the chance in the future, but you may well be ok wheras a boat moored in someplace like Minnesota would almost certainly be toast (or maybe popsicle is a better term?).

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Did not winterize

If the water temp in that lake stays around 50..it may have actually helped it not to freeze.<br />I know here in NC. we had several nights below 20 degrees...

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Did not winterize

hey! i dont winterize my boats!!!! <br />although i fish in my t shirt all year long!

 

[xecutech]

Re: Did not winterize

I wasn't being lazy, the trim motor quit working and I couldn't pull the lower unit up to pull the boat out.<br />Then my dad had surgery so I had to help run his business in KY, and mine here in TN. Next thing you know, it's winter!!!<br />I plan on pulling it out, chaging everything, xetreme cleaning and hopefully enjoying the summer with it!<br />I am going to try the things you suggested first.<br />Thank you.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Did not winterize

Out of curiosity, do you know how cold the water temp gets in the lake you had your boat in?