Outboard Engine and winter use

[DIW]

As this is the first boat I have owned with an outboard engine and I intend to leave the boat in the water and use it all through the winter season I would welcome advice on any precautions (if any) to take to protect the engine during the winter period. I always flush the engine through with fresh water after use and it is always left in the raised position. I envisage using the boat at least once a week , weather permitting, during the winter season. Thanks Ian

 

[VicS]

The concern will be any fresh water remaining in the lower parts of the leg freezing.

Raised vertically they will drain and should have drain holes to drain any odd pockets of water, however if by "raised position" you mean tilted then you should ensure that water cannot remain in it.

Assuming you maintain the anodes it may be better to lower the engine if you cannot be sure it is properly drained, at least during any periods of very cold weather.

It is also a good idea the change the gear case oil before severe weather. That way you will be alerted to any water ingress, will be able to renew defective seals etc, and will be eliminating any possibility that water in the gear case could freeze.

 

[omega2]

Leave it in the down postion, keep an eye on your anodes, and you should be fine. Make sure you have water at the tell tale after start up.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Okay, I'll pitch in with this one. Not a recommendation, but merely my experience.

I always flush my engine through the flushing port in the raised position and the boat has now lived though four winters in the water, being used as well.

This picture was taken on New Years day 2009. The coffee cup was an attempt to thaw the lock of the cellar so I could turn the power on.

In the end, I went out on another boat.

Last winter the engine and the boat endured days and days of very low temperatures, which went as low as -15C.

Still no problem.

Engine was in up position, and there was no extra attempt made to empty out any water in it.

Maybe I am lucky, but I just follow the instruction, which mentions nothing about freezing conditions.

 

[Kawasaki]

DIW, if you are leaving the boat in Deganwy for winter use, no probs do what omega 2 says and what Vics says ref the oil
It never seems to get cold enough in North Wales to freeze an engine whilst in the salt water.
Last year was the worst I can remember since boating in an around the Straits for the last 30 years! and nowt got froze up our way.
In fact the boat and engine can be better in the water through the winter and USED!!
Like I said if you are keeping her in the North Wales area, gis a shout and can help you or showyou how to do the oils an stuff like that
Cheers
K

 

[DIW]

Thanks for the advice guys. K , Thanks for your offer of help with oils I will contact you.

 

[maverickofpoole]

Same as the Major here, I had a 150 opti on the back of a boat for seven years and used it all year round (probably more in the winter) without winterising it and always worked fine with no issues

Martin

 

[Nealo]

My outboard was left on the boat, down position, all through last winter on canal with temperatures down to minus 10c and 3" of ice at one point. No problem at all. It's just been serviced and is perfectly ok. The service agent said they don't seem to like being out of the water for any length of time. I'm constantly amazed at what outboards will put up with and wonder why they are not more popular on this side of the pond.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I'm constantly amazed at what outboards will put up with and wonder why they are not more popular on this side of the pond.

Price and availability of fuel. Simple as that.

Diesel has a tax break - 60/40 split - and petrol does not and petrol is comparatively cheap in the US.

Petrol is not available at most coastal marinas.

I have an outboard, but it would cost me nearly a entire tank of fuel to get to Holyhead, which is the nearest marine petrol, and would need a refill when I got back.

I have to lug three 20 litres cans from the petrol station to fill my boat.

My next boat will be a diesel.