To Winterize?

[happyskahater]

I'm in Dallas Texas, and it rarely freezes here. Maybe 2-3 weeks out of the year below 32... How extensive do I need to make winter preparations?

1987 Sea Ray I/O Mercruiser 205. 19' Sorrento.

Thanks

-Jesse

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To Winterize?

if it freezes that long you need to winterize.

 

[salty87]

Re: To Winterize?

i'm in austin and get nervous at times. i wouldn't be able to sleep in dallas with as cold as it can get there.

if you're not going to use it, it's alot easier to winterize when it's warm than it is when you're busting cold knuckles on the block with the wind howling.

 

[180shabah]

Re: To Winterize?

...and be sure to read the sticky at the top of the page.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: To Winterize?

i'm in austin and get nervous at times. i wouldn't be able to sleep in dallas with as cold as it can get there.

if you're not going to use it, it's alot easier to winterize when it's warm than it is when you're busting cold knuckles on the block with the wind howling.

Salty, you need to come to Canada. In Feb, when its minus 32, you'd be beggin for a trip to Dallas for that 'cold' weather....

Now that's knuckle busing cold weather.. We feel fortunately we're fixing our snowblower in the near freezing temps.

 

[salty87]

Re: To Winterize?

damn...you guys are so far north you're probably winterized most of the year and just 'summerize' in a hurry so you don't miss either week of summer!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: To Winterize?

damn...you guys are so far north you're probably winterized most of the year and just 'summerize' in a hurry so you don't miss either week of summer!

Feels like it sometimes. In the water the end of April, out the middle to end of Oct. Not much boating season so we have to hang out on these forums to get our boating fix

 

[DaNinja]

Re: To Winterize?

I'm in Dallas Texas, and it rarely freezes here. Maybe 2-3 weeks out of the year below 32... How extensive do I need to make winter preparations?

1987 Sea Ray I/O Mercruiser 205. 19' Sorrento.

Thanks

-Jesse

Jesse, during those brief time that we get those cold snaps (I grew up in Michigan and spent three years in Fairbanks AK...I can't believe I can talk about a Texas "cold snap":redface...but during those below freezing times I will run the Texas Belle on the muffs until she's at operating temp.

I then shut the boat off and connect the muffs to a short hose that runs to a five gallon pail. I put the water hose into the bucket and restart the boat with it drawing it's water via the pail. I then pour Low Tox anti-freeze into the bucket and let the boat draw up a light mix of Low Tox.

When the motor is close to drawing the last of the mix I fog the engine via the carb and if the fog hasn't already shut the engine down, I shut it down myself.

It's a quicky (and, I admit, redneck operation) but it get's me through our brief freezing times. I don't use this procedure for the MO Belle. She gets the more thorough procedure described in post in these forums.

 

[jevery]

Re: To Winterize?

I then shut the boat off and connect the muffs to a short hose that runs to a five gallon pail. I put the water hose into the bucket and restart the boat with it drawing it's water via the pail. I then pour Low Tox anti-freeze into the bucket and let the boat draw up a light mix of Low Tox.

Not saying this won't work, but never heard of doing this. Will the pump generate enough suction to bring it up the hose?

I?d pull the engine drain plugs if forecast to freeze. Eliminates any chance of block damage. You?ll sleep better. Also use a fuel stabilizer.

 

[happyskahater]

Re: To Winterize?

Hmm might just pay for winterizing the first year... Do it myself once I'm more comfortable. whats the price range to pay?

 

[DaNinja]

Re: To Winterize?

Not saying this won't work, but never heard of doing this. Will the pump generate enough suction to bring it up the hose?

I put the bucket on the swim deck above the outdrive. Gravity helps feed the water. It draws fine.

Like I said though, I don't do this for long term winterizing and storage. The MO Belle gets a much more detailed procedure.

 

[happyskahater]

Re: To Winterize?

I just worry about running it and it not drawing, or sucking all the coolant and burning the motor... Never done any of this before so...?

 

[salty87]

Re: To Winterize?

this stuff isn't particularly difficult but there's a lot riding on it. if you can't get someone to show you and you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, take it in so you're not jacking with BIG problems next spring.