Do you guys worry about your boats when it gets below freezing at night?

[akdube]

So being new to the "big" boat world and itching to get out. I have an inboard with a duo-prop. When it gets below freezing on the water is there anything you do to keep water from freezing? How about when you get out of the salt and flush. I really dont want to winterize my motor or house water after every trip in the spring. Im thinking that its not getting cold enough to freeze hard enough to hurt anything. But im going to ask the pro's so i know what works and what dont.

 

[joebut1985]

I also have an inboard with dou prop and have been going out here fairly regular. I usually flush everything with fresh water and take the time to blow it all out. As far as being out on the water during freezing temps I have never had any problems but I also have a closed circuit cooling system.

 

[akdube]

I also have an inboard with dou prop and have been going out here fairly regular. I usually flush everything with fresh water and take the time to blow it all out. As far as being out on the water during freezing temps I have never had any problems but I also have a closed circuit cooling system.

closed circuit cooling. Meaning a heat exchanger? And when you say blow it out. Just run the motor for a minute or two with no water attached or do you use air? Thanks a bunch. Really want to get out there but dont wanna risk problems later either.

 

[TriIron]

An I/O with a closed system still has an impeller that will be full of water unless you drain it or blow it out. In the early spring and late fall I always keep a battery blanket on in the engine compartment when the boat is on the trailer. My mechanic said having a light on in the engine compartment would also work but I believe that battery blanket is less likely to fail. As far as when you are on the water, we have been out on lots of late season duck hunts when the morning temperatures are in the 20's. I don't believe that you have any risk of damage as long as the boat is in the water-unless you are out in much colder temperatures than we have been.

 

[TriIron]

Just to clarify-I put the battery blanket in the engine compartment AFTER we de-winterize the boat in the spring and PRIOR to winterizing in the fall. It allows us to get out in the "shoulder" seasons without having to winterize or de-winterize more that once a season....

 

[joebut1985]

Yes I have a heat exchanger and yes there is still a raw water pickup that is used to cool the exhaust. Upon exiting the water in freezing temps I blow out the lines for the raw water pickup. Whatever you do, do not run the motor with out a water source, it only takes a few seconds and you will destroy your raw water pump impellor, its always good to have an extra one with you( it sucks when they go and you don't have a spare I know lol). On some exhaust manifolds there are drains on the bottom of them and you can drain them after use. I would also use a refractometer and test your coolant and make sure that the ratio is correct for the temp range you plan on being in.

 

[akdube]

Where can i pick up a spare waterpump impeller? I have a water pump that runs off the motor belts is this what you are refering to? I did start the motor and ran it like 10-15 seconds dry to see if it would start. I have a 350 carb motor. 115 hrs. Thanks

 

[joebut1985]

if your raw water pump runs off of your serpentine setup then I believe you have a bravo outdrive. The raw water pump is usually located on the bottom left(if your facing the motor) and any mercury dealer will have the impeller that you need. Starting the motor without water to the raw water impeller almost always destroys it. Do you know when the last time it was replaced? They are supposed to be replaced about every 2-3 years as part of normal maintenance.

 

[akdube]

Volvo penta duo prop. Volvo penta motor (350 chevy) stamped on heads. Boat is 97 with 115 hrs. Not a serpintene belt. Can i get just the impellor or do i need the whole pump? If i hook it to water and run it up to temp and it doesnt overheat is it ok? Thanks for the help fellas just new to the "big" boat set-up.

 

[Roger]

Make sure you get the correct impeller there are ton of them out there. I bought 2 off of Ebay to have in the boat for $40 (Spares)

 

[Music Man]

I worry more about the beer freezing than the boat!

 

[joebut1985]

Im not to familar with the volvo motors so im not quite to certian what impeller your motor would take if there is one available seperatly. Sorry i could not be of any help with that

 

[TriIron]

Volvo penta duo prop. Volvo penta motor (350 chevy) stamped on heads. Boat is 97 with 115 hrs. Not a serpintene belt. Can i get just the impellor or do i need the whole pump? If i hook it to water and run it up to temp and it doesnt overheat is it ok? Thanks for the help fellas just new to the "big" boat set-up.

I was new to the I/O having always owned outboard prior to purchasing my current boat and I have the Volvo Penta 350 with duroprop. I don't believe you will be able to get it up to running temperatures by simply idling it and if you could it would take a very long time. On my boat it takes at least ten minutes of slowly increasing the RPMs once I'm out of the harbor to get up to normal operating temps (180). Without a load on the prop I don't think you will be able to do that. As far as questions about the engine etc. I would suggest that you take it to Andy at Noah's Marine. He is the best mechanic I have ever had (vehicles or boats). When I purchased my boat a few years ago in Washington, I had a marine survey done, a mechanical inspection and we did a sea trial. After all of those "experts" had looked at the boat, the first time I took it to Andy he opened up the engine compartment and right off the bat he pointed to the distributor cap and said "That is orginal equipment let's take a look at it". Once he removed the cap we found that it was had corrosion and needed replacement. If you are new to an I/O like I was then having Andy go over your boat will be money well spent. I learned a lot and it's always nice to have his phone number on board in case you hear some strange noise or you have a problem and you can call him and get his take on it. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[akdube]

Well i pulled my raw water pump and took it over to burke shore. Real nice folks and a wealth of info. All looked good no broken or torn splines. Did order a spare to have on the boat. Thanks all for the input. I know i know. "Rookies"