Sacramento Boat Owners

(hudd007) · (hudd007) **Join Date: May 2006** 09-13-2007, 4:22 PM

Do you guys winterize your boats? It doesn't freeze out here so is it needed?

(ceres1312) · (ceres1312) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 09-13-2007, 4:45 PM

Yes it freezes. Not always but for the past two years I can remember having freezing temps. here in the sac. area. Dont chance it, it is sort of like insurance. You never know when you will need it and when something bad happens you wish you had coverage....winterize it.

(blastmaster) · (blastmaster) **Join Date: Aug 2001** 09-13-2007, 4:50 PM

in 99 it froze solid for 5 days around X mas and all kinds of boat engines were wasted. I am going to store mine @ Mclellan Indoor Storage this year so i wont winterize likely.
Rick

(technarider) · (technarider) **Join Date: Jun 2006** 09-13-2007, 4:56 PM

i would agree with nathan as it will get below freezing..

but... after reading many threads on CCF and PlanetNatique and the2001.com for the most part the temp needs to stay down below 32F for a a day or so before anything would "freeze"

a few people have placed lights in the engine bay to keep the temp above freezing, or electric strip tape around the block. for those days it does get to cold<used in plumbing for pipes outside to keep from freezing > just wrap it around the block a few times... plug it in and its nice and warm

i have a nice enclosed shop with heaters set at 55 so i never worry about it. Just some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and dust cover.

(Message edited by technarider on September 13, 2007)

(ghostrider_2) · (ghostrider_2) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 09-13-2007, 10:45 PM

When I lived in Sacramento I would just use a mechnics drop light before I went to bed if the forecast called below 30.

(twobills) · (twobills) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 09-14-2007, 9:59 AM

I still plan on using my boat in the winter at least once on the weekends. Should I worry about freezing?

(rodltg2) · (rodltg2) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 09-14-2007, 1:36 PM

just buy an engine block heater at west marine. works great.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/22502/377%20710/0/heater/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/10/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=heater&Ntk=Primary%20Search &Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=10&Ns=0&keyword=he ater&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=null&subdeptNum=nul l&classNum=null

(Message edited by rodltg2 on September 14, 2007)

(26lacefield) · (26lacefield) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 09-14-2007, 2:12 PM

naaaaaaaaaaaa you don't need to winterize it. just bring it to my shop in Fresno for the summerize and we'll give you a great deal on a new motor. hahahhahahaha jk jk winterize that thing. if your going to be using it in the winter you'll need to store it in the garage or learn how to drain the water urself. i've even seen one crack when it was stored in the garage.

(ghostrider_2) · (ghostrider_2) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 09-14-2007, 2:49 PM

rod, $350 for that engine heater... Man I would rather just do the mechanics light for 10-15 bucks..

(hudd007) · (hudd007) **Join Date: May 2006** 09-20-2007, 3:46 PM

Forgot to mention that mine will be in the garage. I would hate to winterize it then have a decent day out and want to hit the butter.

(rodltg2) · (rodltg2) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 09-20-2007, 3:51 PM

yes you can do the mechanic light but for 350 im assured it will work. plus it has a thermostat so its not all the time.

(twobills) · (twobills) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 09-21-2007, 2:06 PM

Does anyone know how safe these heaters are? Does the engine hatch need to be open? Can you put the boat cover on while it's operating?

(rodltg2) · (rodltg2) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 09-21-2007, 3:32 PM

i did , no prob