Boat Winterization question

[ktex]

I just got a new to me bayboat/outboard. I live in the DFW area, run it every wkd and the boat is stored outside with a boat and thick outboard cover. If I use it every wkd this winter do I need to winterize it? I keep seeing things online that say if you are still running the boat in the winter then no need to winterize but they dont say why? Couldn't something still freeze crack?

Should I do anything else other than what I'm already doing?

[bossbowman]

You don't need to winterize down here, thats for up north. As long as you crank it and little it run a little on ear muffs or on the water at least once a month to keep all the oils from running off the parts your good. The point of fogging an engine is to keep everything lubed up when letting sit for months at a time. Good idea also to trim the engine in the down position and let all the water run out if its going to get very cold.

[Charles]

Drain as much of the water out of your lower unit before heading home. If temps are forecasted to get below freezing lower your motor all the way down. Water expands when it freezes. If you have to much water in your lower unit and it freezes it could possibly crack the housing.

No need to winterize a boat in Texas, especially if you us it often.

[Walker]

Drain as much of the water out of your lower unit before heading home. If temps are forecasted to get below freezing lower your motor all the way down. Water expands when it freezes. If you have to much water in your lower unit and it freezes it could possibly crack the housing.

No need to winterize a boat in Texas, especially if you us it often.

That's about it except check your lower unit grease for water and several times a year pull your prop and check/remove any fishing line.

[dfkoon]

A hard freeze will do damage even in Texas. We have one coming up. Not just the motor, I once had to replace pumps to live well cause I forgot about them.

[brokeno]

I wrap mine in a thick moving blanket when it's going to be freezing for longer than a few hours

[Texas Grown]

I wrap mine in a thick moving blanket when it's going to be freezing for longer than a few hours

I need to try that while duck hunt-n.








On the other hand, my new Litium trolling battery has a heat blanket built into it for charging at sub 32 degrees . Don't have to worry about overnight charging it when it's freezing out, unless it gets below -4F.

[Capt Glenn]

If you are running it regularly there is no reason to winterize it. That is for places where they put their boats up and the boats sit for several months each winter. Just tilt your motor up and down and try to get all the water out that you can before really cold weather.

[ktex]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help as always.

[tx_basser]

Had bassboats here in DFW for 20+ years and about the only thing you need to do if your not going to use it for a couple of months is put stabil in the gas and run it thru the system. Otherwise just crank it every month on the muffs and it will be fine.

[bakin7005]

My '96 175 Merc EFI has never been winterized. I keep the motor trimmed all the way down. If it sits more than a month I'll start it up and run it for about 10-15 secs. No muffs needed. Been doing this since it was new. Never a problem.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[skiguy327]

Drain as much of the water out of your lower unit before heading home. If temps are forecasted to get below freezing lower your motor all the way down. Water expands when it freezes. If you have to much water in your lower unit and it freezes it could possibly crack the housing.

No need to winterize a boat in Texas, especially if you us it often.

Tell that to the people who’s boats are lined up out of the yard at the local boat dealers in Austin every spring waiting to get a new engine because they didn’t winterize. A roughly $6k lesson.

To the OP. Read the manual for your motor and make sure what needs to be done to drain water from your unit in between uses.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Charles]

Tell that to the people who’s boats are lined up out of the yard at the local boat dealers in Austin every spring waiting to get a new engine because they didn’t winterize. A roughly $6k lesson.

To the OP. Read the manual for your motor and make sure what needs to be done to drain water from your unit in between uses.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Send me their contact info and I will.

I have owned several boats over the years and have never winterized one. I also never experienced any issues due to winter/freezing weather.

[gburk]

Just because I haven’t seen it said - Inboards and I/Os DO need to be drained and/or antifreezed for a hard freeze, in contrast with outboards which are made to drain. This week looks like one of those times

[GARY]

Send me their contact info and I will.

I have owned several boats over the years and have never winterized one. I also never experienced any issues due to winter/freezing weather.

Same here. 7 boats now in our family past 55 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk