So, how cold is too cold?

[newbie4life]

I fish... alot.

We had frost here the night before, and Last night. Got down to around 29 degrees last night. I'm concerned about the engine and drive components of my boat.

I'm thinking I'm ok, due to the fact that it get's below freezing for only a couple hours before the sun pops back out. As soon as it made it above freezing, I went out and pulled the cover off the boat, and the engine, so the sun would beat on it. Good move?

Maybe it doesn't bother.... yet. But the weather is supposed to warm up for the next week or two, and I'd like to get some fishing in -- walleye are looking for food for the winter, and I'd like some too.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

My friend puts a light bulb on, in his engine compartment.

I think your ok. Not a prolonged cold condition yet.

But it only takes 15-20 minutes to drain the block and the manifold.

I don't know what engine you have but leave the drive down all the way, And drain the block and manifold right after you flush it.

I always flush the motor even if it was used in fresh water, last year i must have pulled the plugs 10 times, till the final layup.

 

[salty87]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

put a glass/cup of water in your boat, under the cover. check on it first thing in the morning. it has to get pretty cold for a while to freeze a block.

not that i'm advocating that you don't drain it

 

[Don S]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

I would strongly suggest you learn how to drain it right after use. That way you don't have to worry. Of course on this forum we also explain how to replace frozen blocks. Never trust the weather reports.

 

[Bondo]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

Ayuh,...

I agree with Don,....

I continue boating/ Fishing up til the launches are Frozen, Solid....

When I'm getting ready to back down the launch, I reinstall the drain plugs,+ reattach the hoses I've removed....

Then when done for the day,...
I Drain everything as soon as the boat is on the trailer....

 

[scipper77]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

You said you have a friend who puts a light bulb in his engine. Could this be a fire hazard?? I wouldn't want fear of a cracked block to turn into something much worse. You have no idea how much safety training I have to do at work This reminds me a pic from a fire safety training where someone did this to keep a cryo pump or something of that nature from freezing. I promise you OSHA does not approve of using a light bulb as a heater.

 

[abj87]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

Ayuh,...

I agree with Don,....

I continue boating/ Fishing up til the launches are Frozen, Solid....

When I'm getting ready to back down the launch, I reinstall the drain plugs,+ reattach the hoses I've removed....

Then when done for the day,...
I Drain everything as soon as the boat is on the trailer....

bondo, i live in NH / ME (short season) and am consternating do the same thing i can drain the Heat Exchanger easily but what do you do about out drive?

 

[Don S]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

but what do you do about out drive?

Put the drive down and let it drain.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

no one will like this answer, but I always use those little square 1500w ceramic electric heaters (assuming you have 110 power at the boat). They are very safe, quick and easy, and keep everything nice and toasty long into freezing temps. Much easier than draining everything each time. Now I know, the power could go out, etc; but with fickle weather I have never had anything freeze up.

 

[Don S]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

no one will like this answer, but I always use those little square 1500w ceramic electric heaters (assuming you have 110 power at the boat). They are very safe, quick and easy

Quick and easy, yes. Safe, not hardly. Sure hope you don't develope a fuel leak during the winter, and hope it's not parked near anything else that is flamable.
Wonder when your luck will run out

 

[chiefalen]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

There is nothing better than draining the block and manifold.

Put the drive down after you pull the trailer off the ramp to the side.

Let the water drain out.

Up again with the drive till you get home.

Down with the drive and flush the motor. I live maybe 15 minutes from the ramp. Saltwater i have to flush, if it were fresh water maybe i would drain it at the ramp. I also pull the bilge plug at the ramp.

Than i drain the manifold and block. And disconnect the hoses and pour anti- freeze down the long hose from the transom so some antifreeze makes it's way out the drive.

Some more anti-freeze down the other hoses and im done 15 minutes tops.

No frozen motor, manifold, no way.

I leave my drive down.

Thats how i leave it till the next time i use it, when it's cold.

This is what i do, what you other guys do is up to you.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

It takes a good 2-3 days of below freezing before the block will freeze.
But don't take that as a promise.
Those guys with light bulb should have fire insurance.Pump house heaters will work.If you really want to put something in the boat.Put the boat in the garage.
That will give you another day or two before solid freeze up.Jerry

 

[ziggy]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

i read about freeze damaged blocks and manifolds over and over and over here... it just don't take that long to drain the system. learn how to do it.

i've drained mine 2 times so far. only close to freezeing. but ya never know. the weather man has been wrong before. i hate reading about freeze damage and it's preventable.... i hope to never be one to post about that. personally. i just ain't got the bread... 15 min. and i'm safe.... air don't freeze.....it's what mercruiser calls a prolonged season.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

It takes a good 2-3 days of below freezing before the block will freeze.

Ayuh,...

My mentor, Big T, Fred Thieser, always told me that it takes 6 hours at 28? to split a cast iron Block,...
And,....
Air just Doesn't Freeze.....

I've never tested his 1st theory,....
But,..
I Know the 2nd part is Very True......

 

[newbie4life]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

Well, whaddaya know... There's petcocks on the block and manifold. I guess I'll just drain those.

It really was pretty simple. And, I'll sleep better knowing it won't freeze.

Talked to a guy over here this weekend at the campground. He changes his oil in his 3.0 Mercruiser Bayliner every 3 years, and the gear oil has never been changed since he bought it -- in 1998. When I questioned his practices, he replied that his buddy at a local marine superstore showed him what to do.... and how often to do it.

I couldn't believe it. It's one thing to do it, but I'm sure I'd never admit to it.

 

[BLinindoll]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

Talked to a guy over here this weekend at the campground. He changes his oil in his 3.0 Mercruiser Bayliner every 3 years, and the gear oil has never been changed since he bought it -- in 1998. When I questioned his practices, he replied that his buddy at a local marine superstore showed him what to do.... and how often to do it.

Job security

 

[scipper77]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

A guy at the "WEST"ern superstore sold me the wrong oil filter, wrong spark plug wires and wrong water seperator on three seperate occasions even though I told him the year make model and serial number on my engine. Me, being a new boater at the time, just listened beacause if anyone knew what my boat needed it would be the guy at the boat store right? If these guys really new as much as we give them credit for they would be waaay overqualified for there jobs!!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

no one will like this answer, but I always use those little square 1500w ceramic electric heaters (assuming you have 110 power at the boat). They are very safe,

You're kidding, right?


Try a little test...

Get yourself a large (contractor size) trash bag. Pour a 1/4 cup of gasoline into the trashbag.

Put the "safe" ceramic heater in the trashbag with the thermostat slightly cooler than ambient temp so that it comes on after you tie the top of the bag with a plastic tie and it cools down in the evening after the sun goes down.

MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS AT THE END OF A 100' EXTENSION CORD, at least 100' from anything you don't want fire damaged!!!


Plug it in and watch the fireworks when the thermostat contacts close or when they open.

If you're not willing to do that, why would you put it in your bilge.....in your attached garage, under your kids bedroom over the attached garage, etc etc etc....???

If you're putting a heater in the bilge, it's huge risk. NO cheap ceramic heater is designed to be explosion proof in a flammable atmosphere.


Just drain the block and manifolds.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

I live in northflorida and it got down to 30 one night and I thought I was safe. First day come next spring my 350 crsuader 330 hp v8 was toast. I have heard of people doing all kinds of silly things. My nieghbor puts a heating pade on each side of the block when it gets to the 30's. But let me tell you I have had a 1500 engine go as a a result of not maintaining or draining properly. It takes 20 mins to do.
On the flip side it took me two days to swap engines.... oh yeah and 1200 bucks

 

[oops!]

Re: So, how cold is too cold?

You're kidding, right?


Try a little test...

Get yourself a large (contractor size) trash bag. Pour a 1/4 cup of gasoline into the trashbag.

Put the "safe" ceramic heater in the trashbag with the thermostat slightly cooler than ambient temp so that it comes on after you tie the top of the bag with a plastic tie and it cools down in the evening after the sun goes down.

MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS AT THE END OF A 100' EXTENSION CORD, at least 100' from anything you don't want fire damaged!!!


Plug it in and watch the fireworks when the thermostat contacts close or when they open.

If you're not willing to do that, why would you put it in your bilge.....in your attached garage, under your kids bedroom over the attached garage, etc etc etc....???

If you're putting a heater in the bilge, it's huge risk. NO cheap ceramic heater is designed to be explosion proof in a flammable atmosphere.


Just drain the block and manifolds.

BAAA HAAA HAAAAA>>>>>


do you think we could get adam and jamie to do this for us?....(or better yet kari?)

i must admit ......when the weather was getting iffy.....i used a creamic heater for 3 weeks :redface:......sure worked good.......

i was, however, allways worried about someone unplugging the extension cord......the gas tank was also up front.....but still......:redface:...i was just lucky.

that was a few years ago.......never again.......draining is soo much eayser than worring........hoses too......

dont forget about the power steering cooler !