Freezing

[Dave NCarolina]

I live on the coast of NC. Like most people I will leave my boat in the water for most of the winter. Bayliner with a Volvo 260. It doesnt get below 32 degrees here often. Heres my question, is there a block heater or another way to make sure the engine doesnt freeze on the few nights it does get cold? Our winters are very short and the fishing stays good.

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: Freezing

Dave, <br /><br />Why not just drain the block and manifold/riser each time you park the boat. It would probably take you about 20 minutes each time your drain it. Remember - to put the plugs back in or you will put even more water in the bilge when you restart for your next fishing trip.<br /><br />erie_guy

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: Freezing

Dave, <br />OOPS - forgot to tell you to also drain the engine water pump and thermostat housing by pulling the hoses off the engine and draining them as well. I pull about three hoses from this part of the engine. I have a pair of VP 5.7 liter engines that I winter proof once a year. <br /><br />erie_guy

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Freezing

engine room heaters are readily availible but have the draw back of power failure problems. remember the winter of 93/94? we had 6 days of single digit highs and the spring of 94 pointed out a lot of flawes in winterizing plans. was good for the repower biddness though . problem here is the occasions it does that it immobilizes the areas affected<br /> 8" of snow here shuts down the infastructure and usually dumps the power grid for a day or so.

 

[trog100]

Re: Freezing

if u have shorepower u can buy small electric greenhouse heaters that will do the job nicely.. if your boat stays in the water its unlikely with the temperatures u mention that your engine will freeze anyway.. the water temp keeps things warmer in the lower areas of the boat than the actual air temp indicates..<br /><br />in the UK where i live most folks with boats in the water simply do nothing.. i use the small electric heater just to be on the safe side probably cos i read this forum too much.. he he) if i think we are in for prolonged periods (day and night) of below freezing temps.. u are perfectly safe with the odd night frost just dipping slightly below freezing with day time temps going back above freezing..<br /><br />just for interest the marina water temps where my boat is kept never went below about 44 degrees irrespective of air temps all winter thru.. all the boats around me simply got left in the water with no winterization at all.. <br /><br />trog<br /><br />ps.. we do have reliable power thow.. and havnt seem eight ichnes of snow for the last thirty years.. he he..

 

[Davenc]

Re: Freezing

Thank you all. this is my first boat in NC. I had a 32 Trojan in NY I never left in the water during winter. Ill keep a small heater handy and if the power fails Ill pull the plugs and hoses.<br />I just repowerd i hate to lose that engine. It was fun to install once.