Momentary freezing inboard

[jtcarn]

All,

I had a chance to get my boat on the lift over the wknd. I always stress about cold weather. Merc 3.5 with single point drain. It's going to get below freezing and as low as 22 for 8-10 hours 2 nights this week.

Drain it and lower the lift? 52 degrees water.

Don't drain it and lower the lift?

I always worry about a small amount of residual water left over after draining vs. a block full of water not freezing in 8 hrs of low 20s.

I know there are a million opinions on this. Just looking for a few more.

Thanks!

 

[jtcarn]

All,

I had a chance to get my boat on the lift over the wknd. I always stress about cold weather. Merc 3.5 with single point drain. It's going to get below freezing and as low as 22 for 8-10 hours 2 nights this week.

Drain it and lower the lift? 52 degrees water.

Don't drain it and lower the lift?

I always worry about a small amount of residual water left over after draining vs. a block full of water not freezing in 8 hrs of low 20s.

I know there are a million opinions on this. Just looking for a few more.

Thanks!

...and I do not have a power source at the lift.

 

[racerone]

When the boat is floating in the water then the 52 degree water could be considered a heat source.-----Throw a few blankets over the dog house.-----Never tried this myself so beware.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Atleast drain it as much as possible,....

 

[lrdchaos]

I would drain it. Even if the residual water freezes and expands it should have room to expand if the majority of the water is drained.

 

[Lou C]

Definitely drain it. The risk of cracking something is just not worth it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you have power at the lift. simply lower it in the water and use a 40 watt light bulb to keep the bilge warm. (water keeps the hull warm, light keeps everything else in the bilge warm)

 

[JASinIL2006]

if you have power at the lift. simply lower it in the water and use a 40 watt light bulb to keep the bilge warm. (water keeps the hull warm, light keeps everything else in the bilge warm)

No power at his lift.

Even with the water warming the hull, I don't think I'd leave it unless there was a heat source for the engine bay. I'd be draining it, if it were my boat.

 

[Lou C]

All,

I had a chance to get my boat on the lift over the wknd. I always stress about cold weather. Merc 3.5 with single point drain. It's going to get below freezing and as low as 22 for 8-10 hours 2 nights this week.

Drain it and lower the lift? 52 degrees water.

Don't drain it and lower the lift?

I always worry about a small amount of residual water left over after draining vs. a block full of water not freezing in 8 hrs of low 20s.

I know there are a million opinions on this. Just looking for a few more.

Thanks!

also:
a small amount of residual water even if it freezes will have room to expand in most cases, if you drained it properly.