How Cold To Worry About Engine Freezing UP?

[VTCharlie]

Hi ,This crazy weather is getting worse here in Vermont.We are expecting temperatures to dip into the mid 20's the end of the week at night.My boat is summarized and I'm concerned about the block freezing if it gets down to 25 F like they say it might. The days are supposed to be in the 50's .Do I need to be concerned?.I can put a small heater or light in the engine compartment but it is kind of a hassle but not a problem if I need to do it .I have it covered and a tarp over it too. Thanks for info on the temp thing.

[TRDon]

Ive said it many times, if you are concerned enough to post about it, why risk 8k worth of engine over 10 minutes of work draining the block from the 5 locations. Heater + potential gas fumes= Id rather freeze the block.

[ski4evr]

I've read on here where some used christmas lights in the engine compartment to ward off sudden cold spells

[janswake]

Hey Charlie,
Glad to see another Vter on here.I thought I might be the only one from the green mountain state.Where do you ride/ski?We live up in Isle LaMotte and ride in Carry Bay.

[VTCharlie]

Hi
We mostly ski unless we go surfing with friends on lake Bomoseen. We have a camp on a small lake south of Rutland Chipman lake AKA Tinmouth pond.It is perfect for skiing ,pretty small at 90 acres but almost always skiable. My kids want to get into running courses and the wife and I try and ski at least a few times per week from mid May until Mid October. By the looks of the extended forecast it may not be as cold as I originally thought probably put a work light in the engine compartment just to be safe.

[gride]

Put in two lights, in case one goes out. Also, pay attention to where they rest. They get really hot. Also, if you run the engine to operating temp and get the lights in quickly that will help also I believe.

[ClemsonDave]

I've always said more than 24 hrs below freezing or a few hours in the teens.

You can drain the water. Pretty quick fix.

[DanielC]

I am the one that suggested Christmas tree lights. You can also put a bulb or two in the string up by the heater, to protect the heater core.

If you run your boat, and get it good and warm, the engine will be good for 24 to 48 hours. The heater may cool off more quickly. It the boat is outside, in wind, you have less time for the block to freeze.

It is currently 75 degrees here in Oregon, at 6:35 PM. First time skiing today, and I already feel it.

[scottb7]

I have always heard don't worry unless 24 degrees for 24 hours. But when it got 28 to 30 a day or two here at night I put on block heater. Pretty easy to do and worth it to not worry.

[luckee37]

I'm originally from VT, and have family in Tinmouth (the Walker's), but I married a Florida girl and was informed that I needed to move South if I wanted to have a happy marriage. I hope it didn't get too cold for you up there overnight.

[JoeSki]

My 2cents...having dealt with some cold nights here in MN, to me, the easiest and safest ways are...either drain the block or run the boat up to to temperature. Our boat is on a lift, so its pretty easy to crank it down and run it for 10 min.

[Sac Surfer]

I'm north of you guys in Burlington VT. I keep my boat in the ADK's at the parents lake house. We ride on Champlain mostly in Mallet's Bay. Haven't summerized the boat yet.