Draining "Cold" Oil

So I picked up some Valvoline VR1 today and plan to use the Rotella for something else. The boat is tucked away for the winter, but I got to thinking I could save some time in the spring if I changed the oil now. I would like to avoid pulling the boat out and running it to heat up the oil possible though I realize that is the preferred method.

We've had mid 70s in Texas the last two days. If I just drop the drain hose through the bilge drain uncap on the valve cover and uncap the hose, will it eventually drain or am I wasting my time (if it takes a week, that's fine).

Alternatively, I've got a vacuum pump. Would that be a better alternative. Or is it absolutely necessary that the oil be warm to get it all out.

I'm sure warming the engine up to change the oil has been discussed before, but I didn't see this specific question mentioned.

Thanks in advance.

Yeah, at this point, my concern is also initial startup as well as how much I'll get out when it's cold. Isn't there going to be some oil left in the filter even if I drain.

At this point, the drain hose wasn't even at a trickle. I've got the pump hooked up and am at about 1.5 qts after 45 minutes. Slow, but it's progress.

Since I only ran it for a few minutes after changing the oil at winterization, I figured I didn't need to change the filter.

I appreciate any guidance.

Gary - I want to change the plugs anyway, so cranking it with plugs out would be an easy way to avoid calamity.

Thanks for the tip.

Chris

At this point, for me, it may be a null issue (I know I jumped the gun a bit, but this warm spell got me a bit excited), but as far as contaminants, acids, and the like, while it's a ten year old motor (so not clean as a whistle), can I take any comfort in the fact that I am removing "new" oil, that is, the Rotella I'm removing was changed at winterization just over a month ago. So it hasn't been run with the oil I'm removing, but for the few minutes I ran it after I changed it. I'm switching to the VR1 for the ZDDP.

This morning, I checked the pump and I've gotten just about everything out that I put in when I changed it (roughly 4.25 qts). I think I can get a little more out, and I assume there's still some of the Rotella in the filter. I wasn't planning to change this virtually new filter, but could certainly be persuaded if there's any downside to it.

Thanks for the comments so far. Any further insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Joe. By the way, just watching that hole shot video linked in your signature made my arms hurt. Very nice!

Laurel Lake Skier, thanks for the reply. I actually got it finished up last night. I ended up taking the filter off and dumping the oil out and refilling it with the VR1. I relubed the gasket and put it back on.

If you want to get oil aroung the engine just pull the coil wire and crank the motor over a few revolutions. The oil pump will distribute oil to all the critical areas and then reconnect the coil wire. You can also do this in the spring if you want to make sure there is oil all around the engine internally before starting it for the first time in the spring.