Cold snap, not sure what to do...

[nemo963]

Was planning on taking the boat out one more time next weekend before winterizing for the year. Found out tonight we have a fairly strong cold front coming through dropping the temps to 35 degrees overnight (55 for the high during the day), then a low of 28 tomorrow night (again 50's for the high) before getting back to warmer temps. I will be at work the next two days (48 hr shift) and worried about my '76 Cobalt getting damage from the freeze. My first thought is it wont be cold enough for long enough to damage anything...but it's stressing me out. Anybody have any first-hand experience with this to know it the boat will be alright or do I need to track sombody down to run out to my storage area (outside) and winterize the thing and write out boating next weekend.

 

[Failproof]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

Boat stored inside shed? Does the shed stay warmer? Does it have electric? A 100 watt light bulb sitting atop the engine in a closed hatch will keep it good if its only going to be 25+, for a few hours. A crappy winterization may not work at all.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

Was planning on taking the boat out one more time next weekend before winterizing for the year. Found out tonight we have a fairly strong cold front coming through dropping the temps to 35 degrees overnight (55 for the high during the day), then a low of 28 tomorrow night (again 50's for the high) before getting back to warmer temps. I will be at work the next two days (48 hr shift) and worried about my '76 Cobalt getting damage from the freeze. My first thought is it wont be cold enough for long enough to damage anything...but it's stressing me out. Anybody have any first-hand experience with this to know it the boat will be alright or do I need to track sombody down to run out to my storage area (outside) and winterize the thing and write out boating next weekend.

Ayuh,... DRAIN the block, 'n manifolds,....


No worries....

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

I wouldn't trust even a 100 watt bulb to radiate enough heat downwards to protect both the exhaust manifolds, much less the motor block.

Heat loss is subject to too many variables, lack of insulation, ventilation, wind, all conspire to speed heat loss. Even a couple of hours can be enough to freeze and do damage to an un-drained system.

Pull the plugs and drain it, it doesn't take that long to have peace of mind.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

A 100 watt bulb won't do anything. If it gets down to below freezing you better drain the block at the very least. To be the safest, get it inside and put a portable heater in with it. It doesn't have to get hot, just warm enough to prevent freezing.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

If you don't trust the light bulb method go to walmart and get an electric blanket. Works like a champ but don't use it as an excuse to not winterize later.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

I think a blanket will only keep the exterior a tad warm at best. The internal will still freeze.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

I think a blanket will only keep the exterior a tad warm at best. The internal will still freeze.

Another gem from the keyboard of sethjon.

Regarding the 100W light bulb, If you put that in an enclosed engine compartment, it would remain above 32 if the outside temp is only getting down to 25 easily. Personaly, I wouldn't use a light bulb in case the bulb burns out. You can buy reptile heaters that screw into a light bulb socket that would work perfectly though.

I actually like the electric blanket idea. They put out more than 100 watts too.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

And what if the weatherman is wrong and it gets down to 15 or 20. You gonna trust the outcome on a blanket? I'll take my gem over yours anyday.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

A supreme commander and you suggest a blanket? What if it gets down to 15 or 20? You think the weather man is always right?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

A supreme commander and you suggest a blanket? What if it gets down to 15 or 20? You think the weather man is always right?

Well, I can only go from my own experience on this one. It works for me, in fact I'll use it everynight next week on my bi-annual fishing trip to the high desert in the Sierrra's. I also use the light bulb trick because, yes, they both work. If I lived up there full time I'd have a garage or I'd install a block heater, (if I had an inboard). Actually, I'd probably just winterize it properly but this gentleman is in a bit of a pickle since he won't have time to winterize.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

A supreme commander and you suggest a blanket? What if it gets down to 15 or 20? You think the weather man is always right?

You have any idea how hot 130W(electric blanket) would be in an enclosed engine compartment. It will darn toasty in there. Some block heaters are only 200 Watts and they are used for much lower temps than we are talking about here.

And that's Supreme Mariner by the way!

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

A lightbulb, reptile heater or electric blanket may keep the block from freezing, but you could split your outdrive if there's water trapped in it. The outdrive is outside the hull and will cool much more quickly than the block.

The real problem many of you have overlooked is nemo963 doesn't have access to his boat since he's "trapped" at work. He'll need to send someone out whether it's to drain the block or heat the engine compartment. Any volunteers?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

A lightbulb, reptile heater or electric blanket may keep the block from freezing, but you could split your outdrive if there's water trapped in it?

Leaving the drive down solves that proplem.

 

[duped]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

How is it NOT easier, faster, cheaper and safer to just pull the damn drains???

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

DRAIN THE WATER...

It's not tough to do and it works everytime...

I live in southeast Texas where everyone uses the lightbulb crap... I just drain mine and never stress...

 

[sethjon]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

I can't argue with expeience, but there was the straw that broke the camels back. One more degree lower and there goes the engine.

 

[nemo963]

Re: Cold snap, not sure what to do...

Thanks for the replys, I got my dad to run out and pulled the drains/dropped the outdrive. Went over when I got off work and winterized it properly.