how long can I put off winterizing?

I don't worry about draining for overnight lows until November! If it goes under 25 and doesn't come back above freezing during the day I'd drain.

Eric's 'common sense required' statement comes to mind.

-the bulb can be a fire hazard
-it doesn't take much time to do a 'short' drain
-and the costs of not putting a note on the fridge are huge

I'm in georgia and on my second cracked block...though not of my making.

What about if I leave it as is as long as the low temps at night look like they'll stay above freezing, then do a "short drain" if it looks like we're going to get a serious cold snap? Sound reasonable?

If so, then I have a follow-up question. What the hell is a "short drain". I'm an absolute newbie to this stuff, so I'm learning all of this for the first time.

depends - If the boat is in the water, then it has a heat source - the water.

If its on a trailer or lift then I concur -drain it.

Paul, Here's a older thread on the same subject. I did post in it a alternate to the high priced compartment heater.
unwinterized

Bill, Remind me of what engine you have. A 4 cylinder? The manifold(s) will cool down before the block. I do see in the previous thread that you are one of the light bulb guys.

come on pete, you know i don't have a 4 cyl. yep, i am a light bulb guy during the nights it does freeze here.

He's probably busy winterizing, duh.

I am not sure about this "winterizing" thing. Seems that I remember a sad messy affair every fall that included anti-freeze and fogging spray that went on in my driveway usually on a cold wet saturday. But my brain has pushed out those unpleasant memories. Now winterizing means taking my heater shirt along when me and Eddie foot during December and January.

After all them boats are "winterized" we will still have ours avaible if any of you guys need to ski.

john

My vote is Short Drain... I wouldnt want the water sitting in my engine all winter...

Oops, all I read was Winterizing, thinking all winter... Guess I need to take my Adderall early this morning so i can pay attention!

8122pbrainard wrote: A "short drain" isn't recommended for full winterizing ether.

Is this because of internal rust?

Thephantomkaw wrote: Oops, all I read was Winterizing, thinking all winter... Guess I need to take my Adderall early this morning so i can pay attention! 8122pbrainard wrote: A "short drain" isn't recommended for full winterizing ether. Is this because of internal rust?

I really don't feel that the practice of adding antifreeze was for internal rust but rather a safety factor for freeze protection. For years, engines were simply drained and some people still do it. It wasn't untill the late 70's that I even heard of the practice. The marinas started doing it when systems got a little more complicated and their mechanics forgot something ending up with something busted open in the spring. Cast iron is really pretty stable as far as rusting. It takes lots of years to rust it through. Plus, now the marinas can now charge you 20 bucks a gal. for the antifreeze and a extra couple hours of shop time!!!!

I've heard some will get $280.00 for a winterizing. Then another $100.00 for "summerizing" What the H*** is summerizing??? Connect the battery and turn the key???

Pete, sometimes I'll do 10 in a day, and feel guilty the next day.....for a minute
the good ones are the outboards, 90 bucks to winterize, touch the cover, bless it and collect the 90 lol

eric I do like your style.

john