When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

[jcac27]

Ive got a 90 galaxy with 3L merc on Lake George, NY.<br /><br />It's getting pretty cold up there now in the low 30's at night and I have the boat on the lake still to use for fall fishing, cruising, etc. Question is, how cold does it have to get to damage the engine? What can I do, if anything to defend against this?(besides taking the boat out and having it winterized) Id like to leave it on for another month or so.

 

[MurdockJr]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

Water freezes at 32 so will the water in your engine.

 

[Solittle]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

You should have no problem so long as you leave the engine down even if it gets a bit below freezing at night. All the water drains out. I would take it out before the lake starts to freeze.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

You would need a few days of below freezing temps in a row to do any damage.Right now the day temps are fine and the night temps are borderline.You should be fine for a month .If you have any doubt now just make sure the motor is run for at least 20 minutes before you go to bed at night.It will stay warm enough so you wont have to worry.If you hand a 100wat bulb in the eng. compartment that could not hurt. Charlie

 

[mattttt25]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

let's watch the suggestions on powering lightbulbs in your engine compartment. gas fumes + heat = ? i know it probably won't amount to anything, but inexperienced people might get the wrong idea and come up with more creative ways to heat their engine.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

I agree about people trying to tweek a good idea a little too much.The lightbulb is a great and safe way to take the cold edge off .It will warm but never to the point that will blow you up.Then again,running on earmuffs is a great idea until the time i was doing that and kneeling in the boat at the same time,when my little nephew walked by and pulled the hose out of the muff without me knowing it.Anything can happen with everything.Charlie

 

[jcac27]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

Great, <br />Just what I was hoping to hear, and what I thought. I'll take it out in a few weeks. <br /><br />Thanks for your help all.<br /><br />James

 

[ED21]

Re: When will my boat be damaged by the cold?

That's a smart idea. I've been there & done that.<br />After trying to get a few weeks more season in I've more than once ended up taking the boat out in late november after the water temps have dropped into the 30's. The wind is usually blowing & cold. And just try cleaning & winterizing when your hands are numb. The fall can be real nice for cruising, but all of a sudden it's winter.