Dangers of not winterizing

[splicer]

I talked to all my friends/coworkers that live and Louisiana, and they say they never winterize their boats. It's not an issue down here, is their answer. We had a deep freeze a couple of weeks ago, and I cracked my block. I'm hoping that insurance will pay for the replacement motor, but if not, then I'm out $7500-$10,000. Yay me!

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

I would have to think that there was an underlying problem with your engine block. The cold that you experienced should not have done that much damage.
Considering that LA is not known for getting below T-shirt weather year round. My brother in law make's a point of calling us on new years form his patio in his flip flops at 11:55 every new years.

Up here in the frozen tundra of Wis. we don't have the option to not winterize. If we don't it will cause the damage you describe, often before deer season is over in Nov.

 

[psimon1909]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

In SC I keep the boat in the water and don't winterize it. I bought a boatsafe heater for $150 on ebay.

 

[redeye1962]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

This is such a good topic. What is the best way to prepare for winter when your boat is in the water? Out of the water is fairly easy.

 

[splicer]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

I would have to think that there was an underlying problem with your engine block. The cold that you experienced should not have done that much damage.
Considering that LA is not known for getting below T-shirt weather year round. My brother in law make's a point of calling us on new years form his patio in his flip flops at 11:55 every new years.

Up here in the frozen tundra of Wis. we don't have the option to not winterize. If we don't it will cause the damage you describe, often before deer season is over in Nov.

We had several days of freezing, and getting down to the mid-teens for 3-4 nights in a row. I was out working in it, so I know it was that cold. We even had sheets of ice on small ponds, that I've never seen. This is the coldest winter we've had since '93. I think there will be a lot of boat issues when it warms up and people start getting their boats ready.

I'm waiting on insurance to decide if they'll pay for it or not. A surveyor looked at it, and said that it was cause by and "expansion of liquid" because we've heard rumor that State Farm won't pay for freeze issues.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

I just don't understand as to whats so damn hard about draining a block???

 

[redeye1962]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

I just don't understand as to whats so damn hard about draining a block???

Can you drain a block while it is in water? Newbie at the marina

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

Ya sure can

 

[jkust]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

Freeze damage will be a standard exclusion. Pull out your policy and look for the exclusions section and at the very least get up to speed so you are ready for a discussion with the adjuster. We were well below freezing in October but even some folks here in MN were caught off guard meaning their boats were still in the water at their lake homes the night the temps dropped. I will ignore the fact that the weather is predicted a week in advance.

 

[splicer]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

I'm going to be honest and tell you that I was stupid and listened to a lot of people that said it wasn't necessary. When it did get that cold, that was all I could think of, but I was 5 hours away from my boat at work.

Good news is its in the shop getting a new motor now. Bad news is it's costing me a lot of cash. Let's just say a lesson was learned, and hopefully taught to others.

 

[Fu-Inator]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

Living in LA (Lower Alabama), I have had the same converstion several times with other boat owners. I get my boat semi-winterized every year but the main thing is draining all the water out and removing the 'freeze' plugs. Winterizing in the South is like buying insurance, you don't need it untill you need it.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Dangers of not winterizing

I live in Nebraska so there isn't and decision whether to winterize or not. It is just a fact of life. I have never seen an insurance policy that will pay for freezing. Try to not putting antifreeze in your car and see if the insurance will pay for it... I think not. Like some of the previous threads have said. It's just too EZ to drain the block instead of a $6,000.00 + motor replacement.