Houston Area - Winterizing?

[mccollum74]

I am a new boat owner and just got a 93 Regal Valanti 176 SE. The boat will be stored in a shed with cover on 3 sides but no front door. I also have a boat cover that will be on it. It has the 4.3 Mercruiser in it. Is winterizing a must in this part of Texas? We dont get freezing temps for longer than a few hours at worst and they only happen about 2 or 3 times a year.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Houston Area - Winterizing?

I am a new boat owner and just got a 93 Regal Valanti 176 SE. The boat will be stored in a shed with cover on 3 sides but no front door. I also have a boat cover that will be on it. It has the 4.3 Mercruiser in it. Is winterizing a must in this part of Texas? We dont get freezing temps for longer than a few hours at worst and they only happen about 2 or 3 times a year.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... It only takes Once,...

I don't care if ya do any of the maintenance that should be done at winterization,...
But,......
The One(1) thing, ya Gotta do, is Drain the water system,...

Yer motor should have a block drain on each side, just above the oil pan rail, 'bout mid-way the length,...
Just above those 2 drains is another drain for each of the exhaust manifolds,...
Take a nail/ screw/ piece of stout wire, 'n Poke those holes to knock the crud outa the way, so All the water comes out,...

At the front of the motor, pull the Big hose off the circulatin' water pump, it hides a quart or so,...

If ya got P/S,..??... the Cooler is in the in-comin' water line, 'bout under the portside motor mount,...
Pull Either of the Big hoses off it,...

Get yerself a "Hose pick" to help pull the hoses off,....

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Houston Area - Winterizing?

If your "winter" is only a few months long, IMHO a full winterization (except for annual maintenance) is not necessary, however it would be wise to drain the water out of the engine.

 

[mccollum74]

Re: Houston Area - Winterizing?

The reason I ask is that the boat has never been winterized since new. It's a 93 and has been here in Houston since day one.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Houston Area - Winterizing?

Didn't the polar vortex just dip down into the southern states and cause record low temps ??? Probably caught quite a few people by surprise. Probably the thing to do would be to quickly drain the engine block and manifolds if low temps are a concern.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Houston Area - Winterizing?

If you're concerned it may freeze, take all of the above advice PLUS crack open the lower unit drain screw/plug and see if your lube is milky colored. If it is, at least drain the lube but best to drain & refill. If you just drain it, put a note on it "Must be Refilled" for spring.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Houston Area - Winterizing?

When you think of what it will cost to replace the block or rebuild the engine. Take 5-10 minutes and just drain the water. why take the chance? According to BOATUS the 2 biggest states for freeze damage on their insurance are Fl and CA not 2 you would think would have freezing temps. Here are a service manu@l of your engine to help you with winterization:

Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 7 - 1983-1993 - GM V6 Engines

I put it on the right page for you but it also covers closed cooling systems if you have that. Just a few pages further down.