Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

[ParallaxBill]

Guys,
I know you northerners must put away your toys for the winter much earlier than most of us here in the south since in the piedmont of southern NC we usually don't get a hard freeze until January.

My boat is a 18' 73 Glassmaster Tarpon with a 165 L6 Mercruiser. It's engine box is well insulated so I was wondering if putting a light bulb in the box and covered up the openings near the transom with quilts/blankets etc. would be sufficient enough to protect against our mild overnight mini-freezes. I want to use the boat up until the start of the new year and figure this might be plenty safe for the engine up until that time. I would be sure to check regularly for unseasonal cold snaps that may be cold enough to do a quick block drain and whatever else might be necessary.


Your thoughts?

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

I should add that in the Carolinas it is a very common thing to add a 60 watt light bulb to a wellhouse to keep the pipes from freezing. This works even in rather uninsulated wellhouses down to well below 15-20 degrees for days.

But there's not much chance of it getting that cold where I am south of Charlotte until January. Been here all my 50 years.

Just thinking out loud I guess.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

I should add that in the Carolinas it is a very common thing to add a 60 watt light bulb to a wellhouse to keep the pipes from freezing. This works even in rather uninsulated wellhouses down to well below 15-20 degrees for days....

Off the original topic, but I live in northern NC & was told by my builder to loosely stuff insulation into garbage bags and fill my uninsulated concrete well casing with 'em. Haven't had a problem in 10 years & don't have to mess with a light...

I'll defer to others w.r.t. the wisdom of using a light to warm the engine compartment, but must admit I've done it in an emergency for temporary protection if I haven't winterized my boat yet. If you do it, I'd suggest you consider a couple of things:

Might want to use an "industrial strength" / longlife bulb.

Might want to make sure you turn on the switch before putting the light in the engine compartment (use the plug to turn it on/off once it's in there) so you lessen the risk of a spark from the light setting off any gas fumes.

Remember that the electricity goes out more frequently if the cold temps are accompanied by snow or ice, especially down here where we're not used to it....

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

I see no problem, but use a drop light so the bulb is protected, and keep anything flammable away from the bulb. We do the same here on the west side on the mountains here in Puget sound if garaged. Gotta plan for those 3-4 day power out ice storms we all might get though. And let a friend know just what to do if you get sick, it gets freezing cold, and you are in the hospital, Remember the old "saw"...
"At any given time, everything can go terribly wrong, all at once"

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

also, store with the foot in the complete down position so the impeller will drain. when i had my i/o my block and manifold drains were easy to get to, so i just pulled the plugs, between trips. we do get those cold snaps in north fla, but usually for only 3 or 4 days. but why worry. have you tried the W45 yet? emailed you but it came back undeliverable.

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

the light works good as long as the power is on and the bulb doesn't burn out.

It doesn't take more than 15 minutes to drain the block. I sleep alot better not worrying that the block is freezing. Thousands of dollars in repairs versus 15 minutes of work.

I live in Lake Wylie. My boat isn't winterized yet but I'm looking at doing it this weekend. After November you won't find many days to get out on the water so I always put mine away the around the end of October and get it back out again sometime in March.

 

[imported_TheMan]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

I live on the north east coast of North Carolina. Supposed to get down to 34 tomorrow night! Hopin' to take it out for a run sometime this month still, but might have to drain the block anwyways.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

Thanks fellas, I do appreciate the input.

tashasdaddy, I got it installed and test funtioned it. Everything works and it does turn pretty darn quick doesn't it.

Maybe this weekend I can get on the lake for a while. Deer season keeps getting in my way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

Bill, very pleased with mine and the key fob is the greatest, as i like to move around.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Update: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

Update: Delaying winterization in North Carolina.

I went ahead and drained my block the other day. I figured it wasn't going to freeze at 30-32 degrees for the couple of hours the temps might have gotten that low but I wanted to practice the proceedure just to see how it worked.

I opened the petcock on the manifold and block. (only found the two which jibed with my original owners manual) I also removed the small pipe plug on the bottom of the exhaust elbow. At first it didn't drain but water came out as soon as I wiggle a small screw dirver around in the hole a bit.

Thanks for all the help and advice fellas. This is a great forum.

tashasdaddy,
I want to get one of the key fob controllers too but am not sure where to find one at the moment. I guess Motorguide has them at a set price.