stuck in the mud winterizing

[TH]

Unfortunately the water level in our lake has dropped to the point where we won't be able to move our pontoon boat until the water comes back up (could be a year or more-'drought'). The problem is the 80hp merc. (mid 80's) on the back of it. With winter on our heals I have concerns. The motor is tilted up. I can lower it only a few inches before it gets hung up in the mud. I usually run a gallon or two of antifreeze through the motor every fall just to be anal about it. The question is: Since I won't be able to run antifreeze through it this fall, will the motor self drain while in the tilted postion and be safe in freezing weather.

 

[ob]

Re: stuck in the mud winterizing

TH, best to get it down if possible .Sounds like you have a delima.If boat is swamped,try digging out ,if possible under lower unit and inserting plastic container to prevent cave in.Just a thought.May not be possible with loose mud.

 

[Neptune]

Re: stuck in the mud winterizing

Hello,<br /><br />My main lake is way down too with a number of moored boats sitting on the dirt. If I were in your position I would dig a large hole @ back of boat, lower the engine, drain & refill the lower unit, raise the engine, and then cover it securely with a waterproof tarp to keep rain and snow from refilling the casing. I would fill the hole back in to keep someone from falling into it. Probably remove my prop till lake refilled as well.

 

[dmessy]

Re: stuck in the mud winterizing

Any chance of getting a boat to pull yours back into the water so you can find a ramp to load it on, or at least get it running and do a winterising then dock it somewhere?

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: stuck in the mud winterizing

The first concern I would have would be to get any water out of the motor. Can you put a set of muffs on it and run anti-freeze through it? You know the pink stuff. Put a funnel at the end of an old garden hose. Draining and refilling the lower unit would be next...have you ever had water (milky oil, means water, and it could freeze and crack lower unit housing) in the lower unit? Might take a chance here and not do it...your call. If possible, while it's running I would fog engine, get a little oil coating on those needle bearings. Then I would take plugs out and squirt oil into each cylinder...crank it with plugs out, do it again, and put plugs back in. It is not necessary to have the motor down to do this but I would get it as low as possible...then raise it for 'storage'. I would take prop off and put plastic over shaft opening to prevent rain from entering and freezing. I wouldn't think it necessary to cover motor, but can't hurt. Don't want varmits to live there. Hope this helps.