Winterising or just leave on the water

[Sheppy]

Maybe this will open up some debate. I’ve been thinking about winterising this year and was reading in a recent magazine about just leaving your boat on the water. The theory being that the ambient temperature on the water in the middle of a river (or in a harbour) will be slightly higher than on the hard. Therefore, although one needs to make good preparation for the cold weather, it’s not quite as essential if left on the water. The other factor I consider important is to get out and start the boat at least once a month, but I suspect with her being on the water over the winter, I will most likely user her anyway simply because she is there and ready to go.
I just wondered what your thoughts were?

 

[kashurst]

winterise the engines if you can regardless if its on water or out. last years cold knackered quite a few engines. sea water freezes at -2 so unless you have got heaters or use the boat frequently over the winter don't risk it as you may find any damage caused is not insured

 

[RIN]

The theory being that the ambient temperature on the water in the middle of a river (or in a harbour) will be slightly higher than on the hard.

Possibly much, much higher. I like to think of the legs on the boat slurping heat out of the water and into the engine blocks which radiate it all round the engine room. I will not take boat out until March and dangers of really cold snaps have disappeared.. Still need to protect your fresh water though. Also have small heater in engine room to come on at 4C.
Then there is the possibility of some great motoring in the deserted solent.

 

[thomshap]

I always left mine in and never winterised the engines either as I've always used my boats all year round, if there were eny occasions I couldn't get out for a while then I'd go down and run the engines.

I guess most lift ther boats as they don't want to use them when it gets cold so its a good time to antifoul, service and all those other jobs. Ive always thought that the difference in temperature between a sunny day and a cold night during winter can be quite a bit so best left where it's more constant, that and the fact that I'm tight, lazy and want to play with my toys all year round.

 

[Kawasaki]

and the fact that I'm tight, lazy and want to play with my toys all year round.

You tight lazy git.
Plus you want to play with your toys
Harrumph
Best way mate
Boats are best used
Some crackin days in the winter
Not tonight though kinnel its blowing here!
OK, as said its blowing but if your boat is in a safe haven I would leave it in as long as poss
In the water there is less chance of a freeze up
I have left boats in all year.
But used them as much as poss
No probs
Lucky here on the Menai Strait, it's like an inland waterway in some respects
I suppose it depends where you are located to a certain extent, we are lucky hereabouts
I would advise to most peeps use the boat all year and just whip it out and wipe it, as it where

 

[thomshap]

Well I did start my boating life as a raggie

 

[Sheppy]

Thanks everyone for your great responses. I'm afraid I suspect I have a smaller boat than most of you guys. Although she's over 19', she does have a 2-stroke outboard and I leave this up when not in use. I'm concerned about the possible water in the cooling system, but so many people with outboards leave their boats in all year round, so I suspect she'll be ok. The water she's moored on is at low river, only about three miles from the sea, so the water is salty most of time. I think I’m happy about leaving her in but I guess as the weather gets stormier, I may end up with a few sleepless nights!!!

 

[omega2]

Double up your moorings, and use it, the winter is much much better, having regard to "traffic" and generally quieter all round.

 

[andyjcox1]

Hi Sheppy, I am in the same predicament as yourself, with a Fletcher with a 2 stroke outboard. I am planning on leaving it in, and get many an inhale of breath when I say thats the plan. Although there is very little water in the outboard, and it will be used at least monthly, and engines run once a week. I have not yet met someone who has left it in that has had a problem, but I do have sleepless nights thinking about the what if's. Especially during the storms over the last few days, I have been down to the boat in the middle of the night....just to make sure.

This has been offset by some stunning winter boating though.

 

[Racingfrank7]

Thanks everyone for your great responses. I'm afraid I suspect I have a smaller boat than most of you guys. Although she's over 19', she does have a 2-stroke outboard and I leave this up when not in use. I'm concerned about the possible water in the cooling system, but so many people with outboards leave their boats in all year round, so I suspect she'll be ok. The water she's moored on is at low river, only about three miles from the sea, so the water is salty most of time. I think I’m happy about leaving her in but I guess as the weather gets stormier, I may end up with a few sleepless nights!!!

Run off any fresh water u have, eg drinking water.
As for outboard every time u switch them off they drain down. To be extra safe u could raise her up let her cool down then just fire her up in the up position for 10 seconds or so and because it can't draw any more in it will expell water if any left in block, but won't get warm enough to do any damage.
Then she will be fine left in or out.
Our previous boat was on a outboard and it was far easier come winter than the present with a inboard !