Getting the water out of the block after a sea trial?

[lrdchaos]

I’m headed to go sea trial a 2015 boat on Wednesday that’s equipped with the 350 mag. It’s supposed to drop to close or below freezing that same night. How can I be sure that I got all the water out of the block? My plan, if I buy the boat, is to pull the 5 drain plugs out before trailering it home. I’ll also bump the starter but not start the boat to help push any other water out.

Once I get home, I’ll put the plugs back in and I’m going to remove the 4 hoses that go into the thermostat housing and dump antifreeze in them.

Anything else?


I’ll take it to the dealer the next morning for a couple other things like an alignment check and have it fogged and fully winterized there. My main goal is to get the water out of the block and manifolds. It’s my understanding filling those hoses will fill the block, manifolds and other possible water holding areas.

Would I also benefit from hooking the boat up to a set of muffs that’s attached to an antifreeze bucket and starting the engine, or Ian hat not necessary after I fill the hoses?

 

[alldodge]

I would not crank the motor at all. If the motor is drained per the owners manual (did you download or one come with the boat?) then you should be good. If your in a hurry, place a 60 watt bulb under the motor when you get home.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I do it all the time. I pull out of the water, and this time of year I'm the only one there usually, so I just stop when I'm 6 feet above the water on the ramp. I pull the bilge drain plug, then I pull all 5 drain plugs from the motor and the lower water pump hose off. If needed I probe around with a little screwdriver to make sure all the drain holes are open. I also like to lower the drive and make sure all the water pocket holes are open, then raise drive and head home.

 

[tpenfield]

Didn't you ask this question a few days ago

 

[boatflipperz]

I’m headed to go sea trial a 2015 boat on Wednesday that’s equipped with the 350 mag. It’s supposed to drop to close or below freezing that same night. How can I be sure that I got all the water out of the block? My plan, if I buy the boat, is to pull the 5 drain plugs out before trailering it home. I’ll also bump the starter but not start the boat to help push any other water out.

Once I get home, I’ll put the plugs back in and I’m going to remove the 4 hoses that go into the thermostat housing and dump antifreeze in them.

Anything else?


I’ll take it to the dealer the next morning for a couple other things like an alignment check and have it fogged and fully winterized there. My main goal is to get the water out of the block and manifolds. It’s my understanding filling those hoses will fill the block, manifolds and other possible water holding areas.

Would I also benefit from hooking the boat up to a set of muffs that’s attached to an antifreeze bucket and starting the engine, or Ian hat not necessary after I fill the hoses?

Only thing I'm going to mention is pouring antifreeze into the 4 hoses is a great idea 'as long as the thermostat is STILL open'
If it closed during your ride home from cooling down, no antifreeze will make it into your motor. Just a heads up.

 

[bruceb58]

Only thing I'm going to mention is pouring antifreeze into the 4 hoses is a great idea 'as long as the thermostat is STILL open'
If it closed during your ride home from cooling down, no antifreeze will make it into your motor. Just a heads up.

The large hose that goes to the circulating pump bypasses the thermostat. In fact, you won't even get close to putting antifreeze down the thermostat by putting it in the hoses.

 

[lrdchaos]

I pulled 5 drain plugs and drained the engine completely, then trailered it to the shop. I figured trailering the boat would help bounce any water out that might still be left. I then pulled the large hose and put 3 gallons of antifreeze through it until antifreeze came out of the thermostat housing. I then pulled the 2 small hoses to the risers and filled them up with around a gallon each. The 4th hose came up from the water manifold housing and was full of antifreeze when I took it loose. I went to the back of the boat where I found antifreeze coming from the exhaust ports and out of the pickup holes on the out drive. Seems like it’s full.

 

[boatflipperz]

You're fine..

I pulled 5 drain plugs and drained the engine completely, then trailered it to the shop. I figured trailering the boat would help bounce any water out that might still be left. I then pulled the large hose and put 3 gallons of antifreeze through it until antifreeze came out of the thermostat housing. I then pulled the 2 small hoses to the risers and filled them up with around a gallon each. The 4th hose came up from the water manifold housing and was full of antifreeze when I took it loose. I went to the back of the boat where I found antifreeze coming from the exhaust ports and out of the pickup holes on the out drive. Seems like it’s full.

 

[tank1949]

I would not crank the motor at all. If the motor is drained per the owners manual (did you download or one come with the boat?) then you should be good. If your in a hurry, place a 60 watt bulb under the motor when you get home.

In NW Florida we use light bulbs all the time to heat bilge area before freezing weather (rare) , contrary to some know-it-alls on this forum. Radical weather temperature changes here forces us to use common sense. Ironically, BoatUS cannot list one boat fire cause by the light bulb method. I wished I could find a 6 pack of 100 watt bulbs.

 

[boatflipperz]

about 100 years ago my Dad use to hang an extension light in the cabin of our old 37 ft wood hull boat to keep moisture from building up overnight. Never had an issue back then.

In NW Florida we use light bulbs all the time to heat bilge area before freezing weather (rare) , contrary to some know-it-alls on this forum. Radical weather temperature changes here forces us to use common sense. Ironically, BoatUS cannot list one boat fire cause by the light bulb method. I wished I could find a 6 pack of 100 watt bulbs.

 

[alldodge]

Don't know why anyone would need 100W, put a 40W in my bilge one real cold night and opened the hatch to be real toasty with it

 

[bruceb58]

Even 25W would work. All you are trying to do is keep i above freezing temps.