Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

[wrenchtosser]

Hello everyone. Tomorrow I am buying my first boat in 20 years. It's an old $1500 16ft with a 90 hp Johnson outboard. I live in Milwaukee so there is ice everywhere except lake Michigan and the Milwaukee river. My question is: could I take it in the super cold river to just test it out or is that a bad idea? I realize I would have to rev it up and get the water out of it but I am not sure how boneheaded this idea is.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

Hello everyone. Tomorrow I am buying my first boat in 20 years. It's an old $1500 16ft with a 90 hp Johnson outboard. I live in Milwaukee so there is ice everywhere except lake Michigan and the Milwaukee river. My question is: could I take it in the super cold river to just test it out or is that a bad idea? I realize I would have to rev it up and get the water out of it but I am not sure how boneheaded this idea is.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... please, Don't do that,....

Just lower the motor down, 'n it'll drain by gravity, all by itself...
Revin' it dry, will Smoke the impeller, meanin' it'll need a new 1...

Are the boat launches open,..??
They're froze solid 'round here for a few hundred feet...

'n,... Wear yer PFD......

 

[Don S]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

When you pull the boat out of the water, just put the motor in the down position to allow it to drain. it does that automatically, no reason to start it or rev it up or anything. After it drains, raise it back up to tow home.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

And understand that falling in the water... if you can't get out within a few minutes could be fatal... be VERY careful

 

[acarter92]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

And understand that falling in the water... if you can't get out within a few minutes could be fatal... be VERY careful

Yea that was my though... You fall in water that cold without a PFD and your done, your body will go into shock and your chances are slim. Even with a PFD you better get out and warm within a few minutes.

Worst case senario is the boat that your TEST driving sinks your chances are pretty much NONE. Help will probably not get there in time (if you were even able to call for any)

All unlikely, but something to think about. If it were me I would probably put the motor on muffs and call it good...


As far as the boat. As said above, just let the motor in the "down" position when you pull it out and the water will drain, it's that simple.


Austin

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

one more thing... a heavy coat and insulated bibs will likely weigh about 100 lbs when full of water and trying to climb in the boat...
I'm not saying I wouldn't or that I haven't been out on freezing cold water with snow coming down... heck I've poled a boat on ice, breaking through from time to time but you HAVE to be aware of the risks.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

You might want to consider just running it on muffs, doing a compression test and calling it a day. With the bitter cold temps we've been having just getting it on and off the trailer is going to be a major pain! And if you slip on the ramp... double ouch!!

By the way welcome back to the marine life and enjoy.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

John Malan says its gonna be cold.

Stay off the water. I think there is only one ramp open this time of year, the one the police rescue boat uses.

I know if I was selling you the boat, it would not go in the river, until after I got my money and it was in your name.

Do a compression test and a spark test and take her home.

You are kind of buying a pig in a poke anyways, as even if the transom is rotted and waterlogged, it will be froze solid, and you won't know how bad it is.


What are you buying?
Glass or tin?

Got a link to the ad?

 

[etracer68]

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

The river, is no place to be this time of year. There are large pieces of ice flowing around, and some, just under the top of the water. Do the checks they recomeded. And if you do start it on a hose, dont go reving it up, it will drain as Don as said. We dont need to be hearing about you, and who ever, on the news.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Super General Cold Weather Boating Q

Do not take an old boat like that out in the winter, unless you have a second boat with an experienced boater with you. For $1500 you are buying the motor; the hull is expendable, so focus on the motor on land. Or leave it on the trailer and put it in. either way, don't rev it in neutral.