Keeping it from Freezing

flyingd · 01-28-2009, 12:03 PM

I have an I/O with a 350 chevy. Where I live it can still freeze every night up through May and I want to go fishing before that.

How can I get the boat wet and have it not freeze after I get home. I really don't want to have to drain it all down every time. What a hassle.

Please, any ideas would be good. (no I can't afford to keep my garage heated for months at a time).

Thanks

AlseaAssassin · 01-28-2009, 12:18 PM

Do you have a freshwater cooling system? On mine my anti-freeze is cooled through a heat exchanger so I only have to drain my manifolds. During the "Arctic Blast" I threw a compact flourescent in a shop light and placed it under my dog house just for good measure. Not sure what the energy consumption is on it but I'm sure it's alot lower than an incondescent. Worked out just fine.

fishkisser · 01-28-2009, 02:07 PM

75 watt lightbulb on a droplight under the doghouse will do the trick ...
Just make sure there are no gas fumes or flamable liquids in the bilge ...

flyingd · 01-28-2009, 02:15 PM

I do not have a fresh water cooling system.

The light in the dog house sounds fine.......what about the outdrive itself. Is there any water in there that can freeze?

Thanks

fishkisser · 01-28-2009, 05:17 PM

I believe there is some trapped water in the outdrive and I am not sure how to make sure it does not freeze ... Anyone got some pointers ...

30pound-tasty-fish · 01-28-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkisser

I believe there is some trapped water in the outdrive and I am not sure how to make sure it does not freeze ... Anyone got some pointers ...

They sell those little wrap kits to keep your pipes from freezing under your crawl space. Why dont you get the shortest one posible and wrap it around your outdrive?

Highmark · 01-28-2009, 11:59 PM

The use of the light in the dog house is good. As for the outdrive. Just run it down. The water will drain out. that is the way you should store it in the off season.
That keeps the bellows from getting a curve in it.

HM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingd

I do not have a fresh water cooling system.

The light in the dog house sounds fine.......what about the outdrive itself. Is there any water in there that can freeze?

Thanks

flyingd · 01-29-2009, 06:31 AM

One thought that I had was using an electric blanket around the motor and/or the out drive. what do you think.

cutbait · 01-29-2009, 07:18 PM

lower the outdrive it will drain down.