Anybody in the south NOT winterize?
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=2780
Printed Date: January-16-2025 at 6:11am
Topic: Anybody in the south NOT winterize?
Posted By: hollywoodswole
Subject: Anybody in the south NOT winterize?
Date Posted: December-06-2005 at 2:23pm
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Me and my roommate are thinking about just getting wetsuits and still getting to the lake 2 or 3 times a week. It rarely even gets below freezing here (I know last Christmas I was wearing shorts.)
What's the consensus on not winterizing and just running it through spring? BTW, I am near Houston. |
Replies:
Posted By: Bob's2001
Date Posted: December-06-2005 at 3:25pm
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I am south of Houston, Lake Jackson, and I don't winterize. I don't see the point in it when the "cold" weather is 40 for 2 days. I am considering a wet suit also. ------------- Bob Ed 83 2001 |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: December-06-2005 at 7:34pm
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Lake Wales Fl; They don't even sell antifreeze here! All those years in Ohio, I never knew what I was missing. Enjoy it year round, life is short!...john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: 882001
Date Posted: December-06-2005 at 10:08pm
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two words drysuit! wetsuits yuk. i dont winterize in houston ------------- kemah texas http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=163&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990 - 1988 skinautique "2001" |
Posted By: 64 Skier
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 4:37am
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If temp's have been in the 60's on average and you have the hood closed, that engine is the "heater" when the temps drop in the 20's and it would have to stay in the 20's for a few days in order for the engine to drop to 20 degree's. On rare occasions if the power goes off the old light bulb trick under the hood may not work, but I've never experienced both power loss and temp's below 20 for more than a few hours below I20.
Same principle in the summer. Shut that monster 289 down after an evening skiing and you still feel the heat 12 hours later the next morning. The engine and hood are a great combination. I still suggest you pull the rubber impeller just to keep it fresh, drains the majority of water and is easy to re-install. It's also very easy to drain the block so a little bit of PM even when you ski on occasion shouldn't deter you from climbing in when it's cold outside. ------------- 64 Skier 66" HO VTX and 67" HO Triumph http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1071&sort=&pagenum=3&yrstart=1971&yrend=1975 - 71CC |
Posted By: 88skisupreme
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 9:20am
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I live in Austin and I just drain the block. If it gets really cold, like its doing right now, I dump a little rv antifreeze in the exhaust manifolds.
Just be sure to run it at least once a month to keep the engine lubed, if you're not going to fog it. |
Posted By: hollywoodswole
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 1:43pm
| Thanks fellas. That's kind of what I was thinking, but this is my first winter with my boat. |
Posted By: tleed
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 2:19pm
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I live in Virginia and I skipped winterizing this year. Nothing to winterize since I pulled the motor. Anybody else use this method?
What do you mean "winterize" south of Houston? When you can measure winter in minutes it doesn't count. I lived in Friendswood & League City, TX for a while. Thomas |
Posted By: jimbo
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 3:13pm
| I'm in New Braunfels. I didn't winterize last year. There were some nights when I got nervous and would put a light in the doghouse. I've got the boat on the boat lift and don't plan to do anything to it this winter (as far as winterizing) unless it stays below freezing for over 24 hrs. Then I might have to take it for a spin to get it warmed up again. My wife won't let me bring it in the house. |
Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 5:04pm
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Sure we winterize. Thermos full of brandy and
hot apple cider, a blanket, and a couple of wetsuits. Seems to work well 
BKH ------------- Livin' the Dream |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 8:41pm
You guys are killin me, we woke up to 9 below this morning.  ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: December-07-2005 at 8:49pm
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Leave it to BKH to come up with a better mix than the old 50/50 of water and antifreeze. Alto I do prefer Beam and Diet Coke with lime. I try to keep it around 50/50 tho....john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: December-08-2005 at 8:47am
Yeah, that's the downside. On the other hand, I think you guys in the cold weather states, really cherish summer and the warm weather. We tend to take it for granite. Hell, I've travelled to Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Costa del Sol, and thought to myself, big deal, I could get this at home. If anything, I prefer winter vacations to Utah, the Rockies, or Canada. I guess the grass is always greener, but it's kind of fun to do a little ribbin' anyways. BKH ------------- Livin' the Dream |
81nautique wrote:Posted By: billgatesceo
Date Posted: December-08-2005 at 5:04pm
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I'm debating this too. I live about 100miles north of houston. This morning I woke up to 25F cold weather with ice everywhere. I heard that it needs to me below freezing for a couple of days straight for it to crack a block.
Am I crazy in thinking that I should be okay or should I just pull all the plugs? BTW, I have a '83 2001. |
Posted By: hollywoodswole
Date Posted: December-08-2005 at 5:14pm
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[QUOTE=billgatesceo] I'm debating this too. I live about 100miles north of houston. This morning I woke up to 25F cold weather with ice everywhere. QUOTE]
No kidding. I thought that was kind of ironic that the day after I asked this, there was the first ice storm here in about 7 years. I had no idea it was coming, and didn't have the cover on yet since we just had it on the lake. Ouch. |
Posted By: billgatesceo
Date Posted: December-08-2005 at 6:27pm
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Hollywood....so where are you located?
did you end up pulling any plugs? I am atleast gonna put the boat in the garage tonight. I just went out there any my trailer lock was pretty much frozen shut. It usually doesn't get this cold until about february. Maybe tomorrow I will pull the plugs since it will be inside where I can see. |
Posted By: jimbo
Date Posted: December-08-2005 at 6:49pm
| It bearly got above freezing today. It's supposed to be 19 tonight. I'm going to put a light in the motor box tonight. Saturday's high is forecast to be back up in the 60s. Perfect weather for a cruise around the lake. |
Posted By: billgatesceo
Date Posted: December-08-2005 at 8:52pm
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Well...I got it to fit in the 'ol garage.
Drop light trick, small heater, blanket.....We don't need that junk.... I've got a freakin' 220V, heater coil, digitaly controlled furnace to keep my baby warm. Actually its just to get the temp up in the garage for awhile at night. This baby heated my geeraage up from 35F to 70F in about 30mins. Cheers!!! 
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Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: December-09-2005 at 6:35am
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Just a suggestion and I don't know if it would be enough but how about an engine block heater. The ones I've seen up north here are like a heated dipstick to keep the oil warm. Would that help, anybody use one?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2005402/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2005402/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=heater - DIpstick heater http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2005253/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2005253/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=heater - oil pan heater I have no idea if these would work but might be worth looking into ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: new86owner
Date Posted: December-09-2005 at 10:14am
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Also you can get magnetic heater blocks to slap on the side of the block. I just drain mine after every use in the winter. Be sure to drain the block and the manifolds.
I had an I/O 2 winters ago, and I always drained the block, never drained the exhaust manifolds. Well, a night of 20 degree weather cracked both manifolds. Sometimes we learn the hard way. ------------- http://trianglewatersports.com/Ebay/sn.html" rel="nofollow - My 1986 SN 2001 FOR SALE!!! 
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Posted By: stang72
Date Posted: December-09-2005 at 11:22am
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If it were me livin in the south instead of running the snow blower to remove 5"s that fell yesterday....I would only drain the block,water pump,strainer and manifolds...fire it up a few times to keep it lubed. ------------- stang Face plants are not that funny when it's you face! http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/images/3720/photo1.jpg" rel="nofollow - The Super Air |
Posted By: mrese
Date Posted: December-09-2005 at 4:01pm
| Even in south Alabama we always drained the block and manifold. Somewhere I saw a statistic that reflected a large percentage of boats down south cracked blocks in the winter. The reasoning was nobody thought it would get cold enough to crack it until it did. We had a trip to Lousianna one April and we decided against taking heaters and deice materiels. That trip we got iced in on the airfeild for three days. Lesson Learned. I recommend draining the block/manifold, water stainer, and trans cooler unless you are running the boat every few days. Only a few minutes of work for some piece of mind. |
Posted By: 88skisupreme
Date Posted: December-12-2005 at 2:50pm
| just draining the block is so easy, if you are at all concerned just do it. |
Posted By: jameski
Date Posted: December-12-2005 at 3:05pm
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I installed brass petcocks on all of my drain holes, so I can drain my block and manifolds without tools. ------------- current boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1977 - 94 Sport Nautique previous boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=601 - 78 Martinique |
Posted By: Dallas
Date Posted: December-12-2005 at 6:28pm
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Drop lights work great, even down in the teens, but have a backup in case the bulb goes out on one of them.
Dallas |
Posted By: Carl
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 8:52am
That really seems the way to go. Where did you get the petcocks? Do they let enough of the water out? Seems like they could leave 1/8 to 1/4 inch of water in the jacket/manifold depending on the diameter of the opening in the block and the size of the opening in the petcock. Any trouble with them getting blocked with scale, etc? Do you get sub-freezing temps for extended periods where you live? Thanks. |
Posted By: jameski
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 9:39am
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Carl, I think you can find them at the auto parts store. Just take your plugs with you and match the threads. I had some laying around (I'm a packrat and sometimes it pays off).
They definitely let enough water out that I won't have to worry about freezing (and it does get cold here). They let out just as much as pulling the plugs (well, maybe you are right about the 1/8 inch, but I can't imagine that breaking a block). I installed them last year. ...So far, no problems with scale. I certainly don't mean to imply that that is all I do to winterize. There are many other steps involved. The petcocks just make one step a lot easier. ------------- current boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1977 - 94 Sport Nautique previous boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=601 - 78 Martinique |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 9:44am
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jamesski;Great idea! Can you post a pic?....john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: Carl
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 11:28am
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Thanks Jameski.
Skidim has sets for different applications. They're about $55 bucks for my application. Probably check the autoparts store first. I've looked at hardware stores and haven't found exactly the right stuff yet. http://www.skidim.com/products.asp?dept=1044 |
Posted By: jameski
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 12:09pm
$55! OUCH! ...Those are some really nice valves. ...The ones I used are the same poor little petcocks you'd find on any 1950-1990 American-made radiator. Here's the only pic I could find:
 ------------- current boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1977 - 94 Sport Nautique previous boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=601 - 78 Martinique |
Posted By: jameski
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 12:11pm
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I'm pretty sure a decent auto parts store will have a few different sizes. Ask for a radiator drain petcock. ------------- current boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1977 - 94 Sport Nautique previous boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=601 - 78 Martinique |
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 12:24pm
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they are 1/8" pipe thread and you'll need 5 total, one for each exhaust manifold a 90 degree bend vesrion for PCM manifolds, two for the block 45 degree bend and one for the elbow which is straight. The style Skidim sells are a lot different than what jameski uses and only require a quarter turn to open or close and are a ball valve style fitting. If you use a petcock style valve you'll make a mess draining the block because with the exception of the one on the elbow they all will drain onto the carpet and not the bilge area thus the need for 90 and 45 degree elbows. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |
Posted By: Carl
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 12:35pm
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On my 94 PCM 351 the block (2) and elbow (1) near the thermostat are 1/4" NPT thread, the ones on the exhaust (2) are bigger, I think 1/2" NPT. Elbows would be a good idea for both block and exhaust on this application.
Taking the plugs with to find parts is the right idea. Then you can be sure of the size. |
Posted By: jimbo
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 4:34pm
| Don't forget to drain the transmission cooler as well. |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: December-13-2005 at 8:47pm
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jameski:
Thanks for the pic. Like 79's idea about the 90 so they drain down. BTW: always liked those Commander manifolds....john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: The Dude
Date Posted: December-16-2005 at 7:12pm
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Dudes,
I'm sorry I missed this discussion. I'm on the south side of Houston and never winterize. Boat's in the garage. I pull the impeller if I think it's going to be a month till I fire her up again. Since my buddy's boat is on a lift on his private lake, I'm not running mine as much during the winter. Skiied last week and will try again on the 20th if it will warm a bit. You don't need drysuits here. Drysuits are for the north! My buddy skiied in a shorty on the 13th! ------------- Mullet Free since 93 http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=717&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1991&yrend=1995" rel="nofollow - 95 Sport 1978 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 882001
Date Posted: December-17-2005 at 10:46am
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dude have you tried a drysuit? its pretty nice never stripping down and never being cold is soooo nice.. what private lake? lago? we ride there alot. my buddy has a house there. do you guys wakeboard? is your boat kim and perrys old boat? ------------- kemah texas http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=163&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990 - 1988 skinautique "2001" |
Posted By: The Dude
Date Posted: December-17-2005 at 11:16am
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88,
When I lived in Idaho we used drysuits. Maybe I had a cheap one, but I always felt claustrophobic and restricted in it. Since I'm a northerner, the water never feels too cold to me here. My feet and hands are what gets cold, and the drysuit doesn't help that. However, since you are a Senior Member, you live in Kemah, you have a 2001, and put your girl's pic on your boat page, I may reconsider and start looking to stay dry. Bought my boat in Dallas from a Buxton Marine (SN dealer) which I had a wonderful experience with as opposed to my experience with the SN guys closer to me. My friend's lake is very small--just big enough for a course--near the Field of Dreams sports plex. Not Lago, though I've been there and loved it. I'm not much of a rider...getting too old. Mostly into slalom and have never even been that great at that...Just skiied my personal best: 2 at 32' off. p.s. the best thing about your girl's pic is the glassy water behind her! ------------- Mullet Free since 93 http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=717&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1991&yrend=1995" rel="nofollow - 95 Sport 1978 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: emitchum
Date Posted: December-17-2005 at 6:30pm
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make sure the wedge plate is drained also, nothing worse than a cracked wedge plate ------------- 1979 Barefoot/454 |
Posted By: stang72
Date Posted: December-19-2005 at 8:54am
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Petcocks...Two of my boats are equipted that way and it only take a minute to open them all!
One has the elbows as 79 mentions and does drain to the bilge...over the long run , it's worth the extra cash...both ways will work...one is better! At least have the block ones with elbows...they will squire out on the carpet...the others usually drain down. ------------- stang Face plants are not that funny when it's you face! http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/images/3720/photo1.jpg" rel="nofollow - The Super Air |