Freeze Tonight?

FreeBeeTony

Captain
Joined
May 15, 2002
Messages
3,991
Well I got itchy yesterday and started the engine.......started right up.......all functions working.

This morning I hear it may go down to 28* tonight.........the engine/manifolds are FWC'd, no worries there......it's tha raw water side I am worried about. Not to sure how easy it is to get to the drains on the risers and heat exchanger........was thinking of leaving a drop light in the engine compatment overnight.

Or should I not worry about it?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Freeze Tonight?

Can't hurt. Then if the weather report is off by a few degrees and it gets to 25? you are still safe.

We used to do that in Alaska when the customer would bring his boat in for winterizing at closing time.
It's amazing how much heat you get out of a 75W bulb in an enclosed area.
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,166
Re: Freeze Tonight?

You should have dunked it in the ocean and gone out for a spin. then there would be salt water in there and the freezing point would be around 26 degrees :D
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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50,313
Re: Freeze Tonight?

I have used a service light often, especially when the boat is still in the water, when everything below the waterline would not freeze. a 75 watt bulb keeps the doghouse and bilge area quite warm.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Freeze Tonight?

is it hard to just drain the water out of the water side of yer system... i don't know, maybe it's labor prohibitive..
ya know what engine i got and how easy it is to drain it. which is what i do if i think it may freeze.. myself, i'm just not a fan of putting a ign. sorce in my bilge if i can help it..
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,103
Re: Freeze Tonight?

Ayuh,.... Pull the drain plug outa the heat exchanger,...

The risers shouldn't hold enough water to be a worry...
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,313
Re: Freeze Tonight?

Just lay it on the bottom...........on the glass?

I laid the light on the front mount bracket of my OMC. if I have to do it in my Cruisers, I would hang the light from the power steering pump belt.
 

geneseo1911

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
183
Re: Freeze Tonight?

What are we going to do when the only light bulbs you can buy are the sooper dooper efficient spaghetti bulbs?
 
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