Preparing for Winter use ...

[sloshed]

I intend to use my boat through the winter. She is moored down a dyke on the Norfolk Broads and runs on a Honda 40hp Outboard.

Having only acquired her in March, when we had the engine fully serviced etc, I am inexperienced in preparing for winter. All the posts I have found deal with decommissioning the boat for the winter but I hope to use her quite regularly ( at least every few weeks ).

What do I need to do to the engine ( layman terms if poss' ) and what about the two bilge pumps ? Any advice or comments would be most welcome.

Many thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>Champagne aspirations - Beer money.

 

[Althorne]

Give the engine an oil change and possibly a new filter, check the antifreeze is at least what the manufacturer says it should be or 50/50 water/antifreeze, check and change any dodgy looking hoses, clips and connections. Fully recharge the batteries using a mains charger every few weeks, grease all parts mechanical and out in severest weather, make sure bilge pumps are clean and serviced and do the usual things you are supposed to do while using her. I tend to service my deisel with fresh oil and filter every 4 months whether used or not with quality oils not the cheap crap.
Enjoy

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[rich]

<<<<check the antifreeze>>>> I think he said it was an outboard??

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.jersey-harbours.com

 

[paulburton44]

why would you change your oil every 4 months ???

and even if not used !!!!!!!!!!!

must be made of money

modern oil will last for ages.

my car oil will last for 180000 miles that is a lot of hours used !!!!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>www.withamsailingclub.co.uk

 

[nct1]

Car mechanic friends of mine replace their oil at every three to six months and they do not do big miles, saying that it has a major impact on reducing engine wear.

OK, they it is obviously easier for them to do it (and cheaper), but if it is good enough for mechanics for their own cars...

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[paulrossall]

I don't think that you need to do that much. From what I know of outboards you only need to service it when you have done the scheduled number of hours. You need to make sure that any water you have on board does not freeze up.

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

 

[TheBoatman]

Paul
I would agree whole heartedly. You don't need to do anything special just follow the engine manufacturers guidelines. I've winter fished for more years than I care to think about mostly with outboards and I've never taken any special precautions. If the engine is 4 stroke then make sure the anti freeze levels are correct, if it's a 2 stroke any water will automatically drain down after you switch it off. If the plugs and choke are in good working order the engine will start easily. In fact I've found that engines tend to start better in winter than they do in summer.

Just my opinion

Peter.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Changing the oil regularly is one thing, but do you really think you need to change the filter each time?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[geoffatstanpit]

Thats what I thought with my Ford Escort (B reg) after about 15k the electric dipstick stopped working (full of black toffee) and shortly after the hydraulic tappets gummed up and the valve gear rattled itself to bits.

Be warned!

Geoff


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldharry]

If its a diesel you should change filters at least every second oil change - assuming you do it at least as often as prescribed. This is because of the carbon that gets into the oil from a diesel engine. Petrol can go a bit longer as the oil doesnt gewt so dirty.

As to running an engine on the same oil for 180k miles all I can say is I am astonished there is still an engine to run! Very few engines will take that sort of abuse and survive for long. The manufacturers time limits are for real - after that engine wear accelarates alarmingly - I have known an engine to throw a bwearing after only 24k miles without oil change.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Althorne]

Yea, missed that bit Rich. That's what I get for being a now-it-all.

<hr width=100% size=1>