Faster Freeze protection

[vision]

We use the boat year round although we have to worry about below freezing temperatures for about 4.5 months. PCM recommends removal of 8 items to completely drain the raw water on the newer models. Not terrible, but I hate the recessed square end pipe fittings, especially the one under the transmission.

Finally connected all the fittings to hoses with simple brass on/off valves. Even made one for the bottom of the raw water strainer. Now just open several valves and let the water drain out.

I need to tidy up the loose hoses, but at least it is now a 30 second procedure.

[High altitude]

Nice work! I have a similiar setup to maximize my boats use in chilly Colorado. A word of warning though. Last year after draining everything, I was getting ready to run the boat agin since the air temps had warmed up a bit (we always get one snowstorm in early/mid Oct). I tightened it all back up and started it up. I monitored my intake pump by looking at the plastic strainer and saw positive flow. I let the engine warm up and got ready to surf. After about a minute I realized blue smoke was coming from the exhaust. I stepped back on board and had my wife shut down the engine as temps were over 200 (no horn yet but the sensor might not have been immersed!!). I swam it back in and got it on the lift. Bottom line -- the engine overheated due to a loss of suction. Only some minor damage on the exhaust pipes due to the heat. -Marc

Moral of the story: there are a lot of potential vacuum leaks when you have this setup. After a quick drain you MUST ensure everything is completely tight. Just a slightly loosened cap could cause disaster.

[vision]

Good point High Altitude. Definitely have to watch the pressure leaks on the intake side. For this and other reasons, I have toyed with inserting a flow sensor in the intake hose just before the impeller.

[Mikeski]

I just throw a a 100 watt shop light on a timeclock in the motorbox on mine. It does come with some risk, one time the lamp burned out. Some might also say there is also the remote possibility of it causing a spark and burning my boat up but there is probably a better chance if it getting hit by lightning.

[SkiTower]

is it kept in a garage? I'm playing with the idea of getting some sort of space heater for the handful of days NC gets cold enough to do damage. I put a thermometer in the garage to give me an idea how cold it gets. If I could get the kids to quit opening the garage door on cold days I think it would be fine.

[scottb7]

Of course in minnesota the boat has to come in...But before I bring it in when there is a chance of freeze I run on separate circuits a davis air dryer in engine compartment and a magnetic block heater. I figure if one goes out than the other will stay on.

[gride]

where i live we have only had one, maybe two nights of freezing temperatures and only for an hour or two so it's not a huge worry, but i put two "work" lights in the bottom of the engine compartment on either side. Question: With a closed cooled engine can the block still freeze and crack? i realize the exhaust is succeptible(spelling?), but i recently got curious about the block.

[vision]

Our boat lives on a lift. The problem is that the power to the house/dock will go out a few times a month so relying on electric heat sources is just too risky for us.

[jsta281]

where i live we have only had one, maybe two nights of freezing temperatures and only for an hour or two so it's not a huge worry, but i put two "work" lights in the bottom of the engine compartment on either side. Question: With a closed cooled engine can the block still freeze and crack? i realize the exhaust is succeptible(spelling?), but i recently got curious about the block.

Given that it had been in the single digits for about 3 weeks now never getting above 20 I hope I get this one right. Closed loop system should be same 50 /50 mix of automotive antifreeze to water and thus it should not freeze similar to my other vehicles sitting outside.

[vision]

Your block should be safe in the semi closed system PCM uses. The items to worry about are your intake system (strainer and hoses) impeller housing, oil coolers, heat exchanger, exhaust manifolds, and transmission. But it is nice that the newer designs no longer run raw water through the block.

[gride]

thanks. that's what i figured pretty much. since i don't really use the boat much i keep the two lights on a timer that comes on daily ,and i check it before bed to make sure they are turned on and nothing caused them to fail.

[AirTool]

..... If I could get the kids to quit opening the garage door on cold days I think it would be fine.

Good luck ST.

[ericchile]

If I could get the kids to quit opening the garage door on cold days I think it would be fine.

And turn off the lights when they leave a room too right?

Given that it had been in the single digits for about 3 weeks now never getting above 20 I hope I get this one right. Closed loop system should be same 50 /50 mix of automotive antifreeze to water and thus it should not freeze similar to my other vehicles sitting outside.

I am in the same boat (pun intended). I have a 230 SANTE with the 409 CES. Fully inclosed. First winter in Utah. Sure hope spring comes with no surprises.

[jsta281]

Me too! With all this ridiculous mega cold winter in utah I get sick thinking about "what if I did not do . . . ". Had I known it was going to be thus cold this long I would have rigged a heating blanket or something in their so I could sleep better :-)

[Mikeski]

I logged these temperatures several years ago and came to a few conclusions. If the average ambient temperature stays above freezing and if your boat is covered and if it gets some sun during the day it is unlikely you need to worry much about freeze damage. On the other hand if the sun never makes it through the clouds and the temperature only goes a few degrees above freezing then you should be worried. I have a swimming pool and it rarely freezes over but it has. When puddles and pools start freezing then you should start thinking about protecting your boat from freezing. In the San Francisco bay area I have zero concerns about freezing when my boat is in it's unconditioned garage.