Do you really need to winterize a boat?

[MystyBlue2]

Ok before i get shot for asking a pretty stupid question i would like to know is it really necessary to winterize a boat?

Apart from horrible cold temperatures, i find that there are some pretty nice flat calm days over the winter, frosty and cold yes but also can get them gorgeous calm days and i recon fishing would be pretty productive for cod etc...I love them picturesque clear skies and flat mirror like seas and can see your breath in the air.

So apart from being miserably cold is there any other particular reason to call it a day until spring arrives?

Cheers

 

[Mr Googler]

Nope!

Always left my boats in the water over the winter.

tube heaters in the engine bay. Oil radiator and dehumidifier in the the boat.....run taps empty when I leave.....that’s it. Worked well on both sterndrive and shaft drive boats.

id winterise if I was storing ashore

 

[Dino]

I don’t winterise my boat as I like to use it over the winter. I have a Maeco desiccant dehumidifier running on a timer and I have a frost heater in between the engines. I empty the water tank too. I’m lucky that I only live a few miles from my boat so I can pop out if necessary

 

[Momac]

The above two posts describe winterising as far as I am concerned.

 

[volvopaul]

Engine wise I’m afraid it all depends on many angles .

petrol or diesel .
direct cooled or heat exchanger .
In board or stern drive .
In the water or out the water ; dry stacked .

Over the years I’ve seen some horrendous damage .

some engines bear the brunt of a cold spell easy , others cost thousands in repairs .

Its all about how you see your investment and how much attention to detail you carry out .

I winterise very few engines these days , I also repair a lot .

 

[Dino]

I guess many consider winterising as filling the engine cooling system with antifreeze and removing water from any pipes or tanks.

 

[Mr Googler]

Engine wise I’m afraid it all depends on many angles .

petrol or diesel .
direct cooled or heat exchanger .
In board or stern drive .
In the water or out the water ; dry stacked .

Over the years I’ve seen some horrendous damage .

some engines bear the brunt of a cold spell easy , others cost thousands in repairs .

Its all about how you see your investment and how much attention to detail you carry out .

I winterise very few engines these days , I also repair a lot .

which boats have you seen most occasions of damage Paul.

those left in the water or those left out?

 

[volvopaul]

which boats have you seen most occasions of damage Paul.

those left in the water or those left out?

Both .
Big block petrols direct cooled not drained down .
small sports boats on trailers .
Diesels not winterised in the water , with problems rising after being commissioned .

 

[PeterBoater]

I don’t winterise my boat as I like to use it over the winter. I have a Maeco desiccant dehumidifier running on a timer and I have a frost heater in between the engines. I empty the water tank too. I’m lucky that I only live a few miles from my boat so I can pop out if necessary

Meaco desiccant dehumidifiers don't like being on a timeswitch; switching them off without them going through their shutdown cycle shortens their life.

 

[Dino]

Meaco desiccant dehumidifiers don't like being on a timeswitch; switching them off without them going through their shutdown cycle shortens their life.

Yes, I’ve heard that alright. I currently have it running continuously on the low setting but it’s been used for 7 or 8 winters on a time switch and I’ve never had a problem

 

[simonfraser]

heater is all well and good, but one cold snap and a tripped breaker and your engine goes below 0C

 

[MystyBlue2]

Ah i see so basically you definitely need to winterize if you have an outboard on a small boat stored ashore then...dammit was hoping to test me new motor and try get a few cod while out there.

No worries folks thanks for replies ?

 

[russ]

For inboard engines, is it better having sea water in the cooling system and therefore less likely to freeze than when in fresh water?

 

[kashurst]

For inboard engines, is it better having sea water in the cooling system and therefore less likely to freeze than when in fresh water?

technically yes - however sea water starts to freeze at -2 degs C

If the boat is a long way away best thing is to properly winterise and flush engines with anti freeze mix and drain the taps, calorifier etc. Leave the shower valves fully open too. I have replaced a few of them over the years. Don't forget the transom shower! If in doubt find out how much a new heat exchanger core is for your engine. Think about what will happen if the oil cooler core cracks.
Or if you want to use it over the winter, use heaters and stay close by to check it's OK.

 

[stelican]

Ah i see so basically you definitely need to winterize if you have an outboard on a small boat stored ashore then...dammit was hoping to test me new motor and try get a few cod while out there.

No worries folks thanks for replies ?

Youroutboard motor may well self drain whilst ashore check with your supplier or engine/service dealer

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Winterising an outboard generally involves changing the gear case oil, putting some fogging oil in the cylinders and spraying a bit of corrosion inhibitor on the engine. Make sure you store the engine with the leg in the down position so water can’t build up behind the prop and potentially freeze. If you want to use the boat go for it, just make sure you have well charged batteries.

 

[MystyBlue2]

Ah brilliant nice one im really eager to try the new 40 out, would you recommend doing service now (lower unit lube etc...or when ive finished fishing for cod and just before next spring ready for the season?

 

[QBhoy]

For sure..depends on the engine and where your boat is kept. Be warned though...as for the idea that tube heaters and other electrical dependant methods are a sure thing...they aren’t !!
I know of a certain marina who many relied on this method at...their power tripped on a leg of the marina...2 days of freezing conditions caused the local merc dealer to see an early retirement on, come spring time.

 

[sogood]

Is this the kind of cod fishing days that you mean? I enjoy the sun and long days as much as the next person, but when you get these clear flat cam days.........

 

[Bigplumbs]

Engine wise I’m afraid it all depends on many angles .

petrol or diesel .
direct cooled or heat exchanger .
In board or stern drive .
In the water or out the water ; dry stacked .

Over the years I’ve seen some horrendous damage .

some engines bear the brunt of a cold spell easy , others cost thousands in repairs .

Its all about how you see your investment and how much attention to detail you carry out .

I winterise very few engines these days , I also repair a lot .

If you ever see your boat as an investment you have failed from the outset