Heater vs. full winterization?

[dfoster]

I am going to be storing my SV211 in an unheated garage this winter so that i can get access to work on a couple of winter projects. Normally, I am in a semi-heated warehouse (but no access), so I would just drain the water, but not have to re-fill everything with anti-freeze, since the temp would never be below 40.

This year, I can fully winterize the boat, and it will be in a closed garage on the trailer and will be covered. That said, I'm still a bit worried about temps, so was thinking of installing one of the extreme heaters in the engine compartment. Is it worth it, or should I just do the RV anti-freeze, etc. I was spoiled by not having to do much in the past two winters.

Having the heater would be nice in the Oct/Nov and April times when the boat is in the driveway and we can get temps down into the 20s on some mornings. That way I wouldn't need to worry about it.

If I go with the heater, does anybody have experience with this installation?

Easiest seems for me to just pull one of the side panels and put the heater on top of one of the side tanks pointing at the back of the engine. Or is it worth it to mount it in the engine bay somewhere?

[NautiqueJeff]

I would think that in your location, the heater may be a wise investment. I think I would just permanently mount it in the engine compartment. That way you know it is mounted securely, and all you have to do is plug it in.

Here's the installation manual:
http://www.xtremeheaters.com/pdfs/In...tionManual.pdf

[robertsmcfarland]

I have always just used a heater, my boats stay on on a covered lift, but i do have a whole house generator for piece of mind.

[DanielC]

What happens if you have a severe cold snap, and lose power? It is not uncommon for both to happen together.

I know winterization is a drag. But replacing an engine is way more of a problem.

[2001SAN]

What happens if you have a severe cold snap, and lose power? It is not uncommon for both to happen together.

I know winterization is a drag. But replacing an engine is way more of a problem.

so true, been there and done that.

d.

[robertsmcfarland]

generator boys, if power does go out the generator come on automatic for whole house and boat dock , comes on every Sunday at 3:30 to test system. also our lake never gets below 55 so there is always 55 degree temp rasping from the the lake which keeps bottom of boat above freezing even when temps are in the teens also all my boats have been closed loop except for the Calabia which I did winterize .

[Nautiquehunter]

Sounds like a few thousand dollar answer to a 20 dollar question? You are still going to do all the steps in normal winterizing right?
Your not planning on leaving the water in the engine and relying on the heater alone? So what are we talking about? You have already done 90% of the winterizing so pull the hose off the top of the raw water pump turn it up stick a funnel in it and add 20 dollars of RV antifreeze. Since its a 10,000 engine we are talking about I would rather be safe than sorry. I have a extreme heater that came with my pontoon boat . I don't use it since my boats are in a inclosed building . A friend with a 08 210 is using it at his covered storage area . He just removed the engine side panel and set it on the ballast tank facing the engine until he ends his season. Keep in mind we are in Georgia and we were still surfing Sunday water temp 62.

[dfoster]

I'm thinking about the heater to get me through Oct/Nov where I have the boat on the trailer (because they drop the level of my lake) but still want to get out a couple more days. The nights get down into the 20s some time and it makes me nervous. I drain the water that I can get to (I have the drain kit, drop the water filter, and drain the trans cooler), but I don't want to go through the whole bit of blowing out lines and using RV fluid until I have completely given up hope of riding.

It will also give me peace of mind when the boat is sitting in an unheated garage all winter.

But I will rely on the RV fluid in case of a power outage... no generator here as I am renting space in a friends barn. May try to convince him to insulate it and heat it. That would make it much better for winter projects!

[OKWAKEBDR]

I'm confused. Are you planning to winterize and asking if you need a heater also? Or are you asking about one or the other?