Should i leave prop in water??

[ultimbow]

Hi every body.

I go duck hunting and i live in Quebec so in late season the temp go below freezing point. I am new to hunting with a boat so my question is. When i get to my hunting spot should i leave the prop in water or take it out? I have a evinrude 9.9 1991 and my concern is for the water pump (in foot) to freeze and brake or crack. If i leave it under water will it freeze anyway if the engine not working since the water is not frozen? Or if i take it out will it drain properly and leave no water in pump cause in that position i know it will freeze. I know i might start the engine a few time to get the duck that we shot but the hunt is not always good (but always better then a working day )

 

[sschefer]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Leave it down and in the water. If the water isn't frozen neither will the the lower unit. I just came back from a fishing trip where 20 degree mornings were the norm. Left my boat in a slip with the motor down and didn't have a single problem.

 

[F_R]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Boy, am I thankful we don't have that problem down here. But it seems to me that it would have to be mighty dang cold to freeze a motor during the time it takes to hunt a duck. But then, I guess it does get mighty dang cold in Quebec.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Leave it in the water,the water will act like an insultator.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Yep - leave the engine in the water in freezing temps. As long as the lake remains unfrozen so will your lower unit. Plus, being vertical all the water in the block will drain out due to gravity.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

With the boat at rest the water is well up the mid-section, (normally) and the water pump and all will be submerged. Leave it in.

Mark

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

I'm a duck hunter, too. when you raise the motor you trap some water in the LU that will freeze, as might the LU fluid. Down, the water is level. And I've had mine in ice often, but it's salt waetr ice and spongy.
Don't forget to remove your gas line and keep it warm; it will freeze. Or carry a spare that is empty. Otherwise you have to put it under your shirt until it thaws.
Don't know why people think we are crazy....

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Home cooking. How is the gas line going to freeze???.

Lowerend in the water. to answer the question.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Home cooking. How is the gas line going to freeze???.

Lowerend in the water. to answer the question.

Good question on the gas line. Never heard of that before. Mine didn't freeze at 20 and it was exposed all night. Temp went down to 20 around 9:00pm and stayed below freezing until around 10:00 everyday for nearly a week.

 

[ultimbow]

Re: Should i leave prop in water??

Gas doesn't freeze -30c here in Quebec sometime and we still start are car to go to work. main problem is the battery when to cold.