Alternative winterizing
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12150
Printed Date: September-26-2024 at 8:14pm
Topic: Alternative winterizing
Posted By: Kristof
Subject: Alternative winterizing
Date Posted: October-12-2008 at 6:37pm
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So a friend of mine offered me to store my boat in his shop for the winter. That way, the boat will be stored inside in a heated room...
Today, we were talking among friends about winterizing engines, and a mechanic friend told me that if I had the opportunity of storing the engine inside, the best thing to do is letting the engine run for 15 minutes to a half hour every two weeks. As I have access to the boat whenever I want to work on her, I could let her run as mentionned by my mechanic buddy. I just wanted to know what the specialists here thought about this... Thanks in advance. ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Replies:
Posted By: BuffaloBFN
Date Posted: October-12-2008 at 7:44pm
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A loved engine is a happy one! I do an abbreviated version of what your buddy is suggesting. I winterize w/o antifreeze and pull mine out for a warm-up 2-3 times over the winter. Sometimes we get a few days of nutty weather and go for a ride.
I think the point is that you're warming it up and circulating oil. The big ad on tv for auto oil is about dry start-ups, and they mean overnight; so you're preventing a super dry start I guess. It can't hurt gaskets either I'd guess. Will the exhaust water be a problem/mess? ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2331&sort=&pagenum=12&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - 1988 BFN-sold "It's a Livin' Thing...What a Terrible Thing to Lose" ELO |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-12-2008 at 8:31pm
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Kristof,
I've always brought one of my boats home from the lake for the winter. I will Sta-bil the gas for storage but since they are in a heated area, that's it! Oh, I'll disconnect the battery too. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-13-2008 at 12:02am
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My idea for alternative winterizing would be to ship it to Aruba & go hang out with KO. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Tim D
Date Posted: October-13-2008 at 12:14am
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I'd rather have some antifreeze in the block for rust protection instead of leaving lake water in it. ------------- Tim D |
Posted By: k.o.
Date Posted: October-13-2008 at 12:48am
probably that's the best way  no need to worry about anything freezing and cracking------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=7587" rel="nofollow - 86 ski nautique |
SNobsessed wrote:Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: October-13-2008 at 1:51am
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I agree with Chris...of course we don't have to winterize anyhow...we keep skiing.
Lots of things to miss about Ohio..the weather ain't one of 'em. john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: Kristof
Date Posted: October-13-2008 at 1:55pm
Haha, that's not a bad idea 
If shipping was cheap, I'd send her along with Chantal and I to FL... Spend the winter at JBear's...
Guess I'll go get a new lottery ticket. ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Posted By: Brktracer
Date Posted: October-13-2008 at 3:28pm
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I usually leave mine on the lift. After raising it, I crank it up to blow the water out of the exhaust. Then I drain the block, manifolds, oil coolers, and U at the raw water pump. I've never put antifreeze in.
We get some unseasonable days here from time to time so it's easy to just stick the plugs back in and go! Based on my experience with gas getting stale, Sta-Bil is a good idea! If you can keep the boat inside that's the way to go! Leave the engine cover open for a week or two so things dry out real good. Matt ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=3180 - 1976 Nautique |
Posted By: Kristof
Date Posted: October-14-2008 at 5:09am
Matt and Pete, As I run on LPG, no need for stabilizing that kind of fuel... At least one problem I won't have to tackle  ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Posted By: Mark Mel
Date Posted: October-14-2008 at 2:09pm
You have to stop skiing in SC? How cold does it get there? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=972&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1976&yrend=1980" rel="nofollow - 1978 Nautique FBook - www.facebook.com/charliedontsurfct |
Posted By: Brktracer
Date Posted: October-14-2008 at 11:12pm
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Kristof:
Don't know what I was thinking! I knew you run LPG!
Mark: It gets down in the teens sometimes at night in winter. Usually only down in the 20s and 30s. Extremely rare to see any ice on the lake even around the edges. It was about 83 deg today! Our problem here right now is the drought. We can't get rain. I even tried washing my truck and it didn't work! Currently the lake is about 17 feet low and going down at about 1 ft/week. I heard this is the lowest it's been since it was filled in the mid 60's. Considering there are submerged trees in various places I'm a little scared to run my boat, much less ski! I haven't been on a ski in over a month now.  I'm just too concerned about the water level and what's just below the surface!
Last year I was still skiing in November with no wet suit. 
Matt ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=3180 - 1976 Nautique |
Posted By: k.o.
Date Posted: October-14-2008 at 11:16pm
were the opside of you were in tropical storm omar, many boat sunk big waves many flooding i think even 1 death. but still a rumor. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=7587" rel="nofollow - 86 ski nautique |
Posted By: Brktracer
Date Posted: October-14-2008 at 11:22pm
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We were hoping some of the rain would come here but most of the storms missed us. One came through but it was moving so fast it was gone in <24 hours. It rained enough for the lake to come up about 1 ft and hold for a few weeks. Then right back down!
So many storms and flooding in Texas and other areas and we're running out of water! Crazy! Matt ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=3180 - 1976 Nautique |
Posted By: BuffaloBFN
Date Posted: October-15-2008 at 9:39am
Same deal here along with the rest of what you said a few posts up. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2331&sort=&pagenum=12&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - 1988 BFN-sold "It's a Livin' Thing...What a Terrible Thing to Lose" ELO |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: October-16-2008 at 1:02am
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Kristof: Florida is always open for you guys...no need to spend money shipping your boat...2 boats avalible here at all times!
john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: Kristof
Date Posted: October-16-2008 at 4:06pm
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Thanks John! Can't wait till july! ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-19-2008 at 11:28am
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stopped in amazement yesterady while riding my bicycle to watch the locals having a winterizing party, 4 boats on the street waiting for thier turn.
These guy's made a 2x4 frame and lined it with plastic sheeting with a kiddie pool underneath that. it was an all day process it seemed. I stood back and watched, they had 5 or 6 cases of antifreeze and im sure the same amount of beer to match.... I keep my trap shut because these guy's have a tendency to call you any hour of the day or night and want to talk about boats and want them repaired while they wait. I just finished up a trans from my neihborhood, I even offered to pull the boat to my shop, through another guy, he insisted the local dealer do the repair, well somehow i wound up with his trans, the dealer nailed him for 1300, the guy is snakey and he is a shopper, looking for the best possible deal. he found out I did the trans through the grapevine and I ran into him yesterday and I went out my way to tell him I would of did the job in my driveway for $500.00, obviously i was rattling his chain. I thought it was pretty funny ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-19-2008 at 1:13pm
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I've commented before that I'd really like to know who and where someone decided this was the way to winterize. 5 or 6 cases for 5 boats! Sucking from buckets or Flush Pros! Kiddie pool collection! Hopefully a refractometer for checking the freeze level (for RV). I have a feeling someone saw a large marina set up with a purge/circulating system and thought this was the way it was supposed to be done. Never mind what the manual says!! Quicker? Maybe - After you've building the contraption! Safer? Not with out draining!! Expensive? Yes - More antifreeze! (got to get the exhaust tubing protected!!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-19-2008 at 3:54pm
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it was worth taking a picture Pete, i wish i would have, these guy's trip over dollars to pick up nickels, recently they are draining our lake for the new damn and out in the distance you could see 4 wheeler wheels sticking up in the air and the "rescue crew" went out to pull it from the lake, big dollar 4 wheeler with the key still in it, we figured the guy was on the ice and broke thru, no body though, maybe insurance job?
Pete you know about metals, from being submerged alot of the metal parts broke right off easily such as the brake arm and other metal parts, it was strange, any explanation? ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-19-2008 at 4:37pm
I'll have to say that the parts that broke were die cast (alloy of aluminum and zinc). The zinc becomes the sacrificial metal leaving only a porous and (corroded as well) aluminum. It's just like the "zincs" we put on boats. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: emccallum
Date Posted: October-22-2008 at 12:44pm
| A lot of folks around here are into the sucking antifreeze from a bucket method. Two things that worry me....What if the thermostat is closed and the antifreeze doesnt get into the engine? Second, the antifreeze that stays in the strainer ruins the plastic. If I am in the boat removing impellers, loosening belts etc, how long does it take to remove a few plugs and do it right?? |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: October-22-2008 at 1:06pm
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Emc, I agree- unless you drain the block first, then theres really no way to tell if the mixture is correct unless you test it. I prefer the drain and pour just like PCM recommends- easy, quick, and foolproof. ------------- |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-22-2008 at 8:52pm
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[QUOTE=emccallum] A lot of folks around here are into the sucking antifreeze from a bucket method. QUOTE]
These people must be afraid of wrenches!! Threaded plugs are scary! ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 1:19am
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if u keep it in a heated room, loosen your belts to keep from getting a memory. Also disconnect the batt. to be safe. ------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 1:22am
what a way to waste money, they dont need 5 cases...hahaha
------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: ac505
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 7:04am
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Although our weather is colder (in summer) we don't get the same winter lows as many parts of the US experience, we did hit -22C about 10yrs ago, but generally -7 to -9C are the order of the day but for brief spells only.
I have used the "suck from the bucket" method for the last few years with no probs, in my view I am ensuring that every part of the cooling system is suitably protected - I am personally not as confident this can be achieved with the "disconnect and pour antifreeze method". I run the engine up to temp with a hose feed, then immediately switch over to a bucket of antifreeze - I've got a diverter valve for this so the swap over is immediate hence no time for the thermostat to close down. I always crack open the drain plugs a little to ensure the antifreeze has circulated. I'm always open to learning so if this method is wrong or problematic, I'd love to understand why. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 7:59am
AC, I'll restate the major concern. Without draining the block, there is no way of knowing that you have the proper freeze protection in all parts of the engine. Some of the water from the RWP is diverted to the exhaust through the manifolds. The engine only takes what it needs to keep the proper temp. With regular antifreeze, and say there's a gallon of water in the block, there is no way of knowing you have gotten a gallon of antifreeze into it and properly mixed. With RV antifreeze, it must be used full strength and can't be diluted. Even if you used a hydrometer or a refractometer from a sample you still won't know the mix strength throughout the entire engine block. Draining and pouring in a known strength is really the safest way plus, you don't need to worry if the T stat is open or closed. The antifreeze will flow backwards into the block through the circulating pump. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Brady
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 9:33am
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I'd have to agree with Tim and Pete, for 25 years I have been draining the block and refilling with just under 2 gallons of RV antifreeze. It's fast and easy and reliable, and you know exactly whats in the block. ------------- Charlie Three Lakes, Wisconsin 69 Barracuda |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 10:24am
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after many, many boats in the hundreds over the years??? I drain the block and manifolds and because I Buy cheaply RV anti freeze, i suck or pour 2 gallons into each engine without the thermostat open, normally in the thermostat housing is a small passage that goes right into the manifolds. I will warm the engine if the customer wants an oil change. as im pouring the last half gallon of AF in I'll fog the engine.
If the engine wont start I'll remove the big waterpumpm hose and fill. when you drain the block you are removing a full cavity of water and if it did freeze the water has no where to go, simply draining the block is sufficient. over the years on my own boats i never added antifreeze, simply drained the block and left the plugs out until spring and then re-installed ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: Tim D
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 5:56pm
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I have always sucked antifreeze from a bucket to winterize. I first run it off the fake-a-lake till it warms up. Take a bucket with 2 gallons of antifreeze and put it next to the RWP and unhook the intake hose and slide a 4 foot hose on and stick it in the bucket. I have 2 large buckets under each exhaust. I use plain antifreeze because it will mix with the water already in the block. I catch and recycle the antifreeze over and over until it becomes warm. I check the freezing point of what comes out. Then I remove a hose on the intake and circ pump and check the freezing point. And I blow out the water and add antifreeze in the tranny cooler plumbing. I remove the belt on the RWP so I can crank it about once a month and let it run for 10 or 15 seconds. I don't bother with fogging and I put stabil in the tank. ------------- Tim D |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-23-2008 at 8:43pm
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Sounds like alot of extra work, but maybe it isn't work to you if you enjoy doing it! ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: OM45GE
Date Posted: October-25-2008 at 10:20am
I wouldn't think running the engine for that short a time would get everything up to temperature. I'd be concerned about condensation in the oil in particular. ------------- 1989 SN 2001 |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-25-2008 at 10:52am
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Last year I stopped by to pet the boat in the middle of winter. I just turned the engine over a little with a wrench so that the pistons weren't in the same exact spot. Don't know if it did any good but it didn't cost anything either. I was also told it was bad to start an engine if you weren't going to let it warm up good. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: October-25-2008 at 6:25pm
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If you dont let it heat up fully, You have a risk of blowing the head gasket. ------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-25-2008 at 6:59pm
Chris, I've lost you where you're going with this comment. If the engine is run long enough on the garden hose, it will heat up and not need to go in the water - correct? Where's the risk of a blown head gasket coming in? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-26-2008 at 11:52am
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????? ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: October-26-2008 at 11:20pm
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One way to blow the head gasket is failure to let the engine heat up fully before turning it off. If you repeat this, it is a possibility. I wouldn't start it up for like 2 minutes in the offseason just to start it up. Let it warm up 100%. Same in a car, My Uncle's Dodge Durango Blew a head gasket, His wife would take the boys to school in the winter, it was only like 1 mile away. Everyday she did this, and a week later the head gasket blew. ------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-27-2008 at 8:43am
Chris, Please don't take this comment as me picking on to in any way - I'm just disagreeing with your theory. Your uncles Durango blew a head gasket but was it from not being warmed up completely? No one really knows!! Think about the thousands of short trips people do every single day in their cars. We don't have thousands of blown head gaskets!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: October-27-2008 at 8:45pm
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I said If you repeat this. ONe time aint gonna do it. ------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-27-2008 at 10:17pm
Chris, Please read what I said. I'll leave it with this. Here it is again: "Think about the thousands of short trips people do every single day in their cars" ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-28-2008 at 10:12am
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Sounds like some material for Mythbusters to work on! ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: October-28-2008 at 6:50pm
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yes it does. That would be cool. ------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: October-29-2008 at 3:14pm
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BS won't happen, it failed because of poor torqueing of the head bolts not because she made a thousand one mile trips to school. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: February-10-2009 at 2:46pm
Winter is half way over, I guess it is time to winterize.
This is just a piece of vinyl tubing (1" ??) where I hook up the garden hose to run it on the trailer. 1' of hose and 2 hose clamps is pretty cheap.  ------------- |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: February-11-2009 at 10:11pm
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^^Exactly how I have always done all my boats. But I went exotic, and have about 6 feet of hose.
------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |