Winterization and impellar?

[Jeffro]

Hello,
This is my first year owning a boat.
I'm puting my boat away at the end of the month. I was wondering what I need to do to winterize it. I live in Discovery Bay, so it is rather warm, and it maybe gets freezing around here during the winter.


Should I install a new impellar. The boat has around 100 hours. Is it a good idea to put a new one in every season? How do these go bad?

Thanks :grin:

[BozBoarder]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

It is recommended that they be replaced, but I would wait until the beginning of the season to do it. I have an extra one on the boat just in case and usuall go 150-200 hrs on one. When I winterize, I put antifreeze in the impeller to help perserve the rubber, it degrades faster when it dries out. It will normally go when you first fire up the boat at the first of the season. If you winterize make sure to put some fuel stabilizer in a full tank, spray fogging oil in the intake, and drain all water from block, disconnect battery and make sure its dry to prevent mold from forming on the upholstry. Good luck!

[Timber]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Boz,
Thanks for the tips.

[Mikeski]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Jeffro,

In my 25 years of keeping boats in Discovery Bay we have never winterized, most people in Disco that I know don't winterize. There has only been one year that I can remember where any boats suffered freeze damage. I think it was back in the mid 80's when we had more than 2 weeks of below freezing weather. A couple boats suffered cracked heads, cracked intakes or popped freeze plugs. These boats were in the shady areas of the racks and on the sides of houses where they saw very little sun.

I would recommend against winterization with the caveat that you pay attention to the winter weather report. If it stays below freezing for more than a few days you probably want to make sure you boat is getting some sun or toss a 25 watt lightbulb under the box while it's freezing.

Make sure it has a full tank of gas and replace the impeller in March when you de-winterize.

You are about a month early we typically have get a few great skiing days in October. I usually think about putting mine up for the winter around Thanksgiving, this year I am getting a drysuit and hope to ski all year.

[bkhallpass]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

I was thinking he same thing Mike. I don't know anyone who winterizes here.

We did have a few freeze days in 96 as well, but we knew it was coming
so there was plenty of time to put a light under the cover.

Winter can bring some of the best days in the Delta.

BKH

[Dr.John]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Ahhh, this is just the beginning of "Prime Time" here (Austin)! School is in session, the "summer" crowd is thinking about football, and it's not HOT! :mrgreen:

I would agree with the above re. not winterizing and using a light under the motor cover, with one exception. If you want to protect the ballast system and a heater core, better use a heater built for the purpose. Not a bad idea to "bump" the engine every month or so to keep the impeller from taking a "set", otherwise the impeller should last a long time.

[bkhallpass]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Dr. John,

Just wanted to be careful. I'm certainly not advocating that folks don't winterize. Just suggesting that it is not a very common practice
in our particular geography. Sounds like it might not be required in Austin either. I doubt many Floridians winterize either.

BKH

[SNMike]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

I empty the water out of the block, take the battery out and put in on a trickle charger, change the impeller before going back to the lake, stabil in the gas tank. That's all you need in Fla. when she's in a heated garage under a cover. :grin:

[DavidF]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

I am also located in Austin and have never winterized a boat engine in the 25 years I have been operating DD inboards...only one time did I get a cracked exhaust manifold during a long and unusual freeze.

What I have since come to learn is that there is one problem with simply draining the block of water...scale. The inside of the engine is more prone to rusting and developing scale that can then break off and clog passages. The antifreeze used for winterizing prevents the scale from developing. Bottom line, this year I plan on winterizing.

Also, I go ahead and remove the impellar and put it on the shelf during the off season (yes, it is too cold here in Austin for me to even think about getting in the water in winter, but many do). This practice prevents the impellar from taking a set (and thus cracking) and thus it will last many years.

[CHassmann]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Your impellar will last for many years if you leave it out during the winter. That's how they instruct you to winterize at PCM School.

[Jesse1]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

I always remove the impeller and bolt the water pump back together before filling the block with non-toxic antifreeze. It may be overkill, but I always install a new impeller and new spark plugs when I start a new season. I keep the old impeller for a spare.

[Daryl]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

come up to canada - we'll show you how to winterize!!!!

here is the process for me - a little humor is intended!

keep boat in garage with heat untill the ice is on the lake
ski as much as possible from sept to november
then - winterize

let's see.....
engine:
stabilize fuel
fog carb
remove battery
change oil

water system:
drain all hoses
drain block (both sides)
drain exhaust (both sides) I hope a couple of these steps are obvious.
empty strainer
drain water pump elbow
pull raw water pump, remove impeller, re-assemble
pour antifreeze (environmentally friendly) in each exhaust manifold
pour antifreeze, down heater intake hose
remove thermostat housing - take out thermostat fill block with antifreeze - reassemble (don't forget to put the tstat back in now)
run the shower into a pail untill you can smell or see the antifreeze coming out.

i think that's what i do - sure wish we could ski all year round!!!!!

[bkhallpass]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Sounds like it would be easier to sell it and buy new every summer :>)

BKH

[Daryl]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

bk - that is a great plan, i can see an upgrade in my future..... maybe one or two more summers with my current boat - then up the ladder!!!

[Jeffro]

RE: Winterization and impellar?

Thanks for all the helpful hints.
Anyone have instructions on how to remove the impellar?