How cold before freezing problems

[Sbt3]

I am out of town for the week and checked the weather back home and it is supposed to get down to 28 on wed. and 26 on thursday night. The daytime highs will be mid 40's. I think it would have to be that cold for about 24 hours before the block would crack, but I am worried about my heater core. The lake is still probably 58 degrees and the hull is touching the water a little.

Anyone know if I am going to have problems when I get home. Should I see if I can find a friend to go drain some stuff.

[ClemsonDave]

RE: How cold before freezing problems

My vote is that you will be ok. I have always heard 24 hrs of freezing, or low teens. Is the lift enclosed? i.e. closed boat house?

[DanielC]

RE: How cold before freezing problems

Many variables. Is it windy where the boat is? Is the boat a closed bow with the heater more protected? Is the engine a GM, or a Ford?
Is the boat under a roof, or just a boat cover?
If the lake is really 58 degrees, I doubt it you could get anything close to the water to freeze.

[Hlymons]

RE: How cold before freezing problems

Have your neighbor throw a strand of Christmas lights in the boat and save your self some worry.

[Sinkoumn]

RE: How cold before freezing problems

Usually a 100W bulbthat is left turned on in the engine compartment helps a lot with many freezing issues for a long period of time below freezing temps.

[todda]

RE: How cold before freezing problems

Just a note....had a patient with a fishing boat go up in flames (all the way down to the trailer) b/c he used a light bulb in the engine compartment. Bulb fractured, electricity running around gas fumes and kaboom.

I have used a magnetic engine block heater (you can find them at any auto parts store). Magnetically adheres to the engine block, runs about 150W of heat through it and keeps the block nice and toasty w/o any worry.

Todd

[Sbt3]

RE: How cold before freezing problems

Thanks for the input guys. The lake was truely 58 this past weekend but I am sure it has cooled down a few degrees since then. The boat is on a shorestation lift which has a canopy, plus I have a light weight cover over the boat to keep dust and stuff out. The engine is a gt-40 I am not too worried about it, more the heater. My one buddy is worried about his new VLX so he may drain his heater in which case I will have him stop by and blow out mine just to be safe. The hull of the boat is touching the water so I should get some heat radiation that way.
Unfortunately I don't have any power at my dock to run a light or block heater.

[Onthewater]

Re: RE: How cold before freezing problems

Many variables. Is it windy where the boat is? Is the boat a closed bow with the heater more protected? Is the engine a GM, or a Ford?
Is the boat under a roof, or just a boat cover?

Nothing of the above has to do with the block freezing. Air temperature alone does it.


Sbt3,
The engine will be fine as is, don't know about the heater, have your buddy drain it if he can.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Re: RE: How cold before freezing problems

I agree. The heater will be the most prone to having issues.