Winterizing in water

[Awd-turbo]

I am in charlotte nc. It can freeze, sometimes we have hit 9degrees F. My boat is in a slip, and still stay there through the winter. Id like to run it every once in a while during the winter cause we can have nice days even in winter.

My question is, what do I need to do between runs to keep it winterized, so my block doesnt crack?

 

[MidnightRider]

If I was in a climate where I could use the boat through the winter every once in a while I'd change the oil, grease up moving parts and nothing else. These engines are self draining so after a run just bump the throttles a couple times to help blow out the water and that's it. Then in the spring I'd change the spark plugs and keep rockin'. Man I wish I lived in a climate like that. We don't boat on our lake in the winter, we drive on it.

 

[biffdotorg]

Treating the fuel with a good marine stabilizer, or something that specifically addresses ethanol and/or water. Marine Stabil or Seafoam and possibly ISO for any water that does separate in the fuel. But that all depends on the amount of time between outings.

My guess, that even if you went out ever few weeks, you won't burn through a tank of fuel. So fuel treatment may be very similar for those of us leaving fuel in our tanks from October to April.

Good luck! Enjoy some for us!

 

[Awd-turbo]

Thanks
Yea fuel and oil is like my "garage car". fuel stabilizer, change oil before and after winter...

How do you "dump the throttle"?

 

[biffdotorg]

Thanks
Yea fuel and oil is like my "garage car". fuel stabilizer, change oil before and after winter...

How do you "dump the throttle"?

How many hours do you put on over the winter? "before and after" is not required at all. Most of us are annually with normal use.

 

[MidnightRider]

Thanks
Yea fuel and oil is like my "garage car". fuel stabilizer, change oil before and after winter...

How do you "dump the throttle"?

"bump the throttle" meaning after you pull it out, start the engine up and rev it a few times to blow it out.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

If I was in a climate where I could use the boat through the winter every once in a while I'd change the oil, grease up moving parts and nothing else. These engines are self draining so after a run just bump the throttles a couple times to help blow out the water and that's it. Then in the spring I'd change the spark plugs and keep rockin'. Man I wish I lived in a climate like that. We don't boat on our lake in the winter, we drive on it.

@MidnightRider .......don't think @Awd-turbo can blow the the water out of his engine(s) after each run - didn't he say his boat will remain in a slip all Winter? With cruisers I know a lot of guys who wet slip them have marine designed engine bay heaters if you are at a slip with power.

 

[MidnightRider]

@MidnightRider .......don't think @Awd-turbo can blow the the water out of his engine(s) after each run - didn't he say his boat will remain in a slip all Winter? With cruisers I know a lot of guys who wet slip them have marine designed engine bay heaters if you are at a slip with power.

Ah yeah, sorry, I saw slip and my brain said boat lift.
In this case I'd second what @Canuckjetboater mentioned about an engine bay heater if there is power.

 

[Awd-turbo]

Can we hook up a hose to a compressor and blow at 40 psi, to get the water out?

 

[MidnightRider]

Can we hook up a hose to a compressor and blow at 40 psi, to get the water out?

I don't know if that would do anything or not. Not sure I have heard of anyone keeping a Yamaha in the water where it could be below freezing. I know @swatski used his boat into the colder temps of Missouri and used a engine bay heater but he had his on a lift, not floating in a slip. Not sure if he might have some genenral insight though into cold weather use in this situation.

 

[Awd-turbo]

I don't know if that would do anything or not. Not sure I have heard of anyone keeping a Yamaha in the water where it could be below freezing. I know @swatski used his boat into the colder temps of Missouri and used a engine bay heater but he had his on a lift, not floating in a slip. Not sure if he might have some genenral insight though into cold weather use in this situation.

The water doesnt freeze. its never that cold, or long enough here. I guess ill be finding a place to pull it and store it during a couple of months here.

 

[MidnightRider]

The water doesnt freeze. its never that cold, or long enough here. I guess ill be finding a place to pull it and store it during a couple of months here.

Yeah I get that the lake may not freeze, but at 9 degrees I think I'd be concerned about any water freezing that is still in the cooling lines and/or engine because the intakes are under water preventing normal drainage. Not sure if that is the case but seems like it may be. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[the MfM]

A 60 watt light bulb (if you can fine one anymore) in the engine bay would keep things from freezing.


(A Maine tradition on those 20 below nights so your truck will start the next morning) Though sometimes we just let them run all night... Could be another option for the boat.