Cold Weather Advice for Motors

[wakina]

Looks like some cold low's coming in the next week or so. For those of us who have dumped our boats in already, what is everyone's opinion on the best way to keep the motors warm is we don't live close? Light bulb? Blanket?

Trying to not have to totally winterize the boat again. I have a Volvo 5.0FL I/O. I guess I could drain the manifold and block so that's fairly easy.

Any ideas?

Thank you!

If your boat is in the water I doubt very much that you have to worry about it. The water the boat is setting in is 40+ degrees and that temp will transfer into the motor well thru the hull. Heat rises and the motor box will retain enough of that heat that it will remain above freezing in an overnight situation. While the boat is in the water most Inboards and I/O' are at least partly below the exterior waterline surrounding at least part of the motor well with 40 degree temps. After looking at the next 15 days of highs and lows it appears that there will only be 4 days below freezing and only 2 of those are below 30 and they will be in the upper 20's. If I had my boat in the water I would not be the least bit concerned.

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USOH0783:1:US

[pimplepounder]

If your boat is in the water I doubt very much that you have to worry about it. The water the boat is setting in is 40+ degrees and that temp will transfer into the motor well thru the hull. Heat rises and the motor box will retain enough of that heat that it will remain above freezing in an overnight situation. While the boat is in the water most Inboards and I/O' are at least partly below the exterior waterline surrounding at least part of the motor well with 40 degree temps. After looking at the next 15 days of highs and lows it appears that there will only be 4 days below freezing and only 2 of those are below 30 and they will be in the upper 20's. If I had my boat in the water I would not be the least bit concerned.

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USOH0783:1:US

I have seen dipstick heaters occasionally over the years mostly used for diesel engines. I would think an electric blanket or heating pan would do the trick too as long as it stayed away from moisture. Garden supply stores have heating pads for starting seedlings. One of those old style cage type trouble lights up next to the block would work but they can melt things if they touch them to long.




They make dipstick heaters..

[skipper9]

I agree with wakita. But if you are worried just put a work lamp with a 75 watt bulb down under the engine hatch and you will be just fine. I have a frost switch that turns the power on once it goes below 38 degrees. So that may be something you may look into.

[wajski]

I have a Yahama and a kicker that have flush connections on the side of the engine I drain them for winter storage. I left my motors down wondering if I should disconnect and drain won't use the boat till Fri ???? Boat is sitting in water at Catawba Is

[Madd Matt]

I think that the best thing to do is just go trolling while the temps are below freezing. This will keep your engine nice and warm and keep it from freezing.

On a serious note though, my boat is in the water at Channel Grove and I'm not worried about the temps this week being that they are very mild and few nights below freezing.

-Matt