How cold is too cold while towing?

[Don't fish e nuff]

Everyone has seen the weather report for the weekend and beginning of the week. I'm thinking of going crabbing in Newport on Monday. It's not suppose to get above freezing on Sunday and Monday so.............My boat [18ft aluminum Starcraft I/O Stern drive] is stored in the shop and is not going to freeze but.........Pull it out and hit the road for about four hours. Do I have to worry about the water in the outdrive? The engine block? does wind chill come into play? Anyone have any advice or experience in this area?

[ICHTHYDEMON]

Its not going to freeze in 4 hours. Take her fishing.

[Don't fish e nuff]

I have to admit, I'm also worried about flushing the engine and cleaning up the boat when I return. I hate freezing weather.:sick::(

[No Reservations]

It would take several days of well below freezing temps to freeze your block don't worry about it and have fun. I would be more worried about freezing hands.
Wes

[Hellibut]

Its not going to freeze in 4 hours. Take her fishing.
I've got some advice, DON"T GO without draining everything! Sorry guys but I will have to respectfully disagree. First of all why take the chance! Second, it really depends on how cold it is and for how long. I'm here to tell you that you better believe it can freeze up enough to cause damage. I cracked a block leaving my boat, IN THE GARAGE, for about 6 hours when the temp was in the high teens. I got home after midnight and didn't want to mess with it so backed it in and left it till morning. I had to leave the garage door ajar a little as I couldn't get it all the way in and it ended up costing me a heck of alot more than the time it would have taken to drain it when I got home. Just not a good idea in my book.

[Captain Kirk]

I've got some advice, DON"T GO without draining everything! Sorry guys but I will have to respectfully disagree. First of all why take the chance! Second, it really depends on how cold it is and for how long. I'm here to tell you that you better believe it can freeze up enough to cause damage. I cracked a block leaving my boat, IN THE GARAGE, for about 6 hours when the temp was in the high teens. I got home after midnight and didn't want to mess with it so backed it in and left it till morning. I had to leave the garage door ajar a little as I couldn't get it all the way in and it ended up costing me a heck of alot more than the time it would have taken to drain it when I got home. Just not a good idea in my book.

:yeahthat: I agree the chill factor alone driving 55 mph can freeze a radiator in a car in about 2 miles when it is 20 degrees out if it does not have antifreeze in it. I have also witnessed a block crack over night at 25 degrees.

[budnate]

ditto...Chill Factor!!!...drag a boat down the road even at 30/35 and that lower unit is going to freeze up like a rock...been there!!!.

lower units are supposed to drain but water is still in there just enough to wreck the water pump if it freezes then you crank it, I always let the water drain all the way out of the motor while putting stuff away then trim it all the way up and down and usually some more water will work its way of the motor or lower unit and dribble out...

then this will cause people to scream but its still wet in there and will be just fine... I will dry fire it for 3 seconds and shut it down to totally clear the water pump area and lower units ex area, I only do this if its hovering around freezing and I need to tow any distance to get home.

Peace

[Road Rage]

The residual heat in the engine and engine compartment should prevent the block and exhaust risers from freezing during a four-hour trip, but the outdrive will still be susceptible to freeze. Before hitting the road, lower the o/d and let it drain. You can pull the dead-man cord, and crank for upto 10 seconds, which will blow the remaining water out of the system. Raise the o/d and roll-on home.

To drain the entire system;

Lower the out drive, remove engine drain plug/s. Wait for all water to stop draining.
Pull my "dead-man" cord, and crank the engine. This will push the last of the water out of the system.
Raise outdrive, and wait for water to finish draining. Replace the plug/s in the risers/block.
If equipped with power steering, you'll need to drain the power steering heat exchanger, by removing the hose from one end.
If the engine is equipped with fresh water cooling, you won't need (want) to drain the block, but you'll (likely) need to drain the exhaust risers. I have fresh-water-cooling, and like to remove the pencil-zinc from the exchanger, which allows the raw water to drain.
I can perform this exercise in under 5 minutes. Cheap insurance, really.

NOTE: When the engine is warm, the water you're draining can be hot, so be careful. If you do not have fresh-water cooling, pull the plugs on the block, before pulling the plug on the risers. This way the hot water from the risers is not dumping onto your hand/arm while you're pulling the block plug.

[Starfish]

The residual heat in the engine and engine compartment should prevent the block and exhaust risers from freezing during a four-hour trip.

I have to say I don't agree... if it's really cold out then IMHO the heat transfer is going to be plenty fast with air movement from trailering to freeze you up in an hour or two, much less four. And... what if you get stuck in traffic or road closures? I wouldn't take a chance.

[ahub]

It will freeze, I learned the hard way, so do yourself the favor and make sure it's dry. I've thawed my outboard with my Mr. Heater before, I'm sure it would do a good job drying it out, too. Just don't put it too close and go drink beer for an hour. Burned paint and boiling gear lube really stinks.:berry:

[Don't fish e nuff]

Well thank you all for your advice and sharing your past experience. We decided to bag the trip for a few reasons. I don't mind pulling rings in cold water. I have a truck driver friend that would be towing the boat and I trust his judgment so that is not a factor. Last year a spent $1,500 having the outdrive rebuilt because, long story shot, I did not put enough oil in the main compartment while changing it and stripped the splines on the main shaft and water pump and I REALLY don't want to freeze it or the engine block for a couple of dozen crab. That and the fact that we will come home, I will drop everyone off on the way back to my house, and there I sit with a salt encrusted boat that needs the engine flushed, a fresh water wash down, and all the gear that needs washed, flushed, dried and put away, all in sub freezing weather. The joy went out of the trip at the "sub freezing weather" point. I don't know if I'm getting old, or wise, but all of that on top of my sons ninth birthday tomorrow, a slumber party with five boys spending the night, winterizing the house and shop, and the biggie, deciding if the time is right to put our dog of 12 years down because the seizures are coming to often. Man this sucks.
I'm getting off track though, again, thanks for all of your advice and help.