Re: Engine draining question
I was planning on pulling the hoses at the manifolds and block, and not using the blue plugs (don't trust them).
That's a great idea. Since the single point system will only work until the engine starts making rust then it will CAUSE you to have a cracked block/manifolds.
It depends on where your water line is compared to the engine. You might have a continuous flow of water since most engines are sitting slightly below the water line. The only way to prevent it is to put a shut-off valve in the raw water line from the transom.
If it's "near" freezing at the water, it won't cause a frozen block over night.
It'll need to be well below freezing to freeze an engine that is "on the water".
Now, having said that I would be worried too since "near" freezing can frequently be "below" freezing. [When do the WX people EVER get it right??
]
You could probably add a valve to the raw water hose from the transom using a Sched 40 PVC ball-valve. That way you can turn it off. Bad thing is that if you do get a (real cold) snap freeze you could break the valve and flood the boat.
This is all so academic.......If it's only going to get to say 28*F tonight, you're probably safe. If you have power get one of those heaters designed for this purpose. (But I wouldn't rely on it for a cold winter.....power goes off sometimes !)
If it were me......I'd pull the boat and call it quits for the winter.
YMMV as it were....
Regards,
Rick
