using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

[WEIGLE]

Hey guys!

I just bought a 1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18HP (15020) and I was wondering what precautions I should take operating this engine in temperatures lower than 32-degrees Fahrenheit.

I live in Tennessee and we fish year-round and this is my first boat. When I load the boat, I usually disconnect the fuel line and run all of the gas out, but what should I do about water still in cooling system?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

With the boat out of the water, just turn the hand starter by hand, real slow a couple revolutions to get out what may possibly be held in by the impeller and lay the motor on its back, so the water held in the lower unit cavities drains out. In these old motors, the drain holes are quite small and often plug up. If yours are all open, then you're that much better off. The biggest precaution, is storing it in a room that never freezes.

Excellent motors, by the way. Keep good care of it and it will last you for years. Post some pics, so we can have a look at 'er

 

[WEIGLE]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

when you say, "lay the motor on it's back," I assume you mean tilting the motor all the way up and not taking it off the boat to lay it down.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

yea, taking the motor off and storing it indoors. if you lay it on it's back, that would ensure that all the water is drained out of the lower unit. If you leave water in there, it'll freeze up and pop your lower unit housing open.

 

[WEIGLE]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

Unfortunately the boat has to stay outside and I am unable to carry my engine indoors every Saturday and Sunday.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

Does the water freeze up? I assume not or you wouldn't be boating. If the water doesn't freeze as far as I know you can leave it in... I leave mine in until the water starts freezing along the shore then pull it out.

 

[steelespike]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

If you leave the motor upright on the boat (prop in normal operating position it will drain no other precaution is needed.As suggested pull it over a few times.

 

[WEIGLE]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

Does the water freeze up?

In Tennessee? No way! I trailer it to/ from every time I use it.

Thank you for the advice guys!

Any suggestions for my trolling motor that fell off going down the road? *sigh* At least I drug it for about a mile while it held on by the cables before I realized what happened. I especially love how no one behind me alerted me. You would think a passing motorist would say, "Hrm, I don't think that motor should be dragging on the pavement behind the boat, maybe I should get his attention."

Nope.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

Ah heck, if you pull it out every time should be no problem. But as earlier mentioned, when in the vertical position out of the water, pull the rope a few times to get the water out of the pump housing.

And yes, you'd think they might have been nice enough to let you know re the troller...

And if you're a Louisville fan, your #&#$#@ team beat my Orangemen today!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

In Tennessee? No way! I trailer it to/ from every time I use it.

Thank you for the advice guys!

Any suggestions for my trolling motor that fell off going down the road? *sigh* At least I drug it for about a mile while it held on by the cables before I realized what happened. I especially love how no one behind me alerted me. You would think a passing motorist would say, "Hrm, I don't think that motor should be dragging on the pavement behind the boat, maybe I should get his attention."

Nope.

These guys who were following you, were too busy laughing at you to alert you. Any smart boater would know, not to leave a trolling motor in a position to not fall off and maybe cause a serious accident on the highway. Just be happy you didn't cause a bad accident and get sued.

Keep the waterways safe. STAY HOME

 

[54fleetwin]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

These guys who were following you, were too busy laughing at you to alert you. Any smart boater would know, not to leave a trolling motor in a position to not fall off and maybe cause a serious accident on the highway. Just be happy you didn't cause a bad accident and get sued.

Keep the waterways safe. STAY HOME

OUCH,
you are right but harsh.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

Sorry to be harsh, but man oh man. This is scary. Almost as scary as the one pictured below.

 

[asdasc]

Re: using 1957 Evinrude Fastwin in winter

I have a '59 Fastwin and run it almost all winter, unless I can walk accross the ice. The best thing you can do is make sure the drain holes are open. Did you pull the lower to replace the impeller? That is the best time to go over the lower unit with a pick and make sure all the drain holes are open. There is one about 1/8" round toward the front about 6 or 8" up that is key.

They are supposedly self draining when verticle. I leave mine in the water, and if the water isn't freezing the water in the motor won't freeze, as the leg of the motor acts like a big heat sink.

Last year I mistakenly left it in too long and found this when I got to the lake! It survived without issue, just thawed it and ran it the same day.

Aw heck, I can't find the picture, but there was 3" of ice stuck all over the lower unit where it had frozen into the ice.