HELP ME WITH A QUICK WINTERIZATION FIX!!!

J

justgotaboat

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Jun 18, 2009
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31427
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so apparently jersey is supposed to get a foot of snow and some cold weather over the weekend. (i have my doubts as to how bad it really will be.... but...) We have not yet winterized our boat since I am out of town. I am going to have it done professionally because of this, just have not had it done yet.

Sea Ray 245 weekender with 383 V8 stroker raw water cooler with BIII (its a freshwater boat)

question is... can i put a heat source like a drop light or small cigarette lighter powered cabin heater in the engine compartment to keep it warm enough for the few days??

Is there water in the outdrive that needs to be kept warm from freezing as well?

weather.com says saturday's low is 26 and sunday's is 32? is this even cold enough to make everything freeze?

HELP ME PLEASE!!
 
Its not going to freeze to the point of doing damage...that is if it even freezes..relax and do it when you get home...
 
Now if you were in buffalo :-)

I agree, it will not be a freeze. More likely a frost if that.
 
if you are in the water dont worry all is well.

From the looks by Sunday it will be back into the low 50s just south of you.
 
quote:
Originally posted by justgotaboat

so even at 26 overnight you don't think it will freeze??

Click to expand...


Not to the point of doing any damage...We have had a few nights below freezing, and I just winterized mine today...Some water may crystallize, but wont freeze solid and expand...
 
Yep, relax, no problem until we have a "hard freeze". A couple of hours below freezing won't harm it. If we even get that...
 
the boat is not in the water. its on a trailer.... i usually run it in fresh water... i thought that might matter since fresh water freezes warmer than salt water
 
You need 4-5 days of well below freezing 24/7 before you have to start to worry. When you get home, winterize with -50 via a set of muffs and put an Xtreme 600xxx heater in the bilge. You'll be fine.
 
Depends where you are in NJ we are near Atlantic City on the boat tonight until Monday I haven't heard a weather forcast for any snow. You might be better off putting the boat in the water. Never under any circumstances use a flame type heater in a gas boat engine room. If the boats in the water the water temp is in the high 50's to low 60's right now. I usually keep the boat in until early December. I have only once lost the rear water wash down sprayer from freeze damage. Been on the boat many nights while it is below freezing at night. Then again we are running the heat pumps and my hot water heater exchanger keeps the starboard engine warm. I would be very surprised if it snowed in southern NJ perhaps you are in NW NJ?
Bill
 
Like KIDa said, I've heard that when the freezing temps last 3 days in a row, that's when the damage starts.
 
good advice from billy not to put a flame type heater in the engine compartment. you also should not put an electric bulb (or anything else that's not ignition-rated for boat engines rooms) in the engine compartment. although many poeple do it, it is just asking for trouble (which may not be covered by your insurance if there's a big boom or fire).
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sandy

"Low of 26*" & on a trailer, that would be of concern to me. Especially if windy.
Click to expand...


Not sure what the wind has to do with it...

The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to shorten the amount of time for the object to cool. The inanimate object will not cool below the actual air temperature. For example, if the temperature outside is -5 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill temperature is -31 degrees Fahrenheit, then your car's radiator will not drop lower than -5 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
If the boat is on the trailer I might have some concern for the lower drive. If there is any water in the drive there is a small chance it could freeze and that could in turn cause some damage to the prop assembly. I know...I had it happen to me.

Here's what I would do. If you can't empty the oil from the lower end...raise the drive and wrap it with some fiberglass insulation. That should be fine.

The engine is probably ok.
 
Engine should be fine for a night or so. You could bubble wrap the drive if you're worried about it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by carver 2557

quote:
Originally posted by Sandy

"Low of 26*" & on a trailer, that would be of concern to me. Especially if windy.
Click to expand...


Not sure what the wind has to do with it...

The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to shorten the amount of time for the object to cool. The inanimate object will not cool below the actual air temperature. For example, if the temperature outside is -5 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill temperature is -31 degrees Fahrenheit, then your car's radiator will not drop lower than -5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Click to expand...


For short term temp drops the wind does indeed play a role. You are certainly correct that under normal circumstnces an inanimate object will not chill below ambient temp, but it will definitely lose it's retained heat at a faster rate the stronger the wind speed, to appraoch and eventually reach that new lower ambient temp. .

On a calm night with quick below freezing temp dip & back up in a few or several hours an engines cooling system temp may not freeze, but at the same ambient temp it may freeze if there is a strong wind.

This is why car radiators have fans.
 
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