To winterize or not to winterize

[Sweet Addiction]

So this is a question for the Texas people. How many of you have already winterized your boat and how many have not? I am just curious as to when you winterize if you do. I live near Austin and its stays pretty warm down here, but I don't think I will be going out to much. Just trying to get an idea if it might be better to put it up for a couple of months of just keep it out so it is there for those warm sunny days. Even in December.

[switchin'addiction]

Up here in Missouri, but I don't winterize mine usually until December to try & sneak in a few nice days. Keep it in a heated garage until then.

[Sweet Addiction]

Well I know it sucks, having to put her up for the winter. The only place I have to stash mine is at my Folks place. So its not a convience. I was thinking about winterizing this weekend, but then again I think, maybe I could get by with just keeping everything clean and making a blend of antifreeze to keep in the lines just incase of a cold spell. Well thanks for everyones input, so far. I was trying to post this here to get some Central peeps going in here.

[Squirtin Thunder]

When I was in NC I kept the boat ready for any nice day. A little bit of anti-freeze won't hurt the fish. I was skiing in Jan. in NC with snow on the launch ramp.
Jim

[jdf]

i keep all of ours ready but they set in a heated shop but when we didn't have they shop i just put heat lamp's under the cover's and that worked very well for me ....bambam

[vdrivenman]

hi DMC,
we live about 15 minutes from the Gulf and use our salt h20 fishing boat all year long, so it never gets wintwerized.if it gets to freezing or below i run a little antifreeze into the motor. the fishing is espically good time of year for bull reds & spec's.
the ride around boat gets put in the barn and covered.if temps drop to or below freezing some heat lamps are placed in the engine compartment, and i make sure everything is drained. this way it is no big chore to go out and crank her off to run for about 15-20 minutes on the h2o hose.

[SHAKE-YO-AZZ]

boy I love the west coast, we never WINTERIZE here we boat year round :wink:

[eliminatedsprinter]

boy I love the west coast, we never WINTERIZE here we boat year round :wink:
That's right, winterize it by bringing it to B.V. in a couple of weeks for the P.Posse cold water kick off... :cool:
You could really churn up some mud with that rig there... :wink:

[Sweet Addiction]

The thing is here, that there is a slight chance that it might freeze. Its usually only happens maybe 2-3 times a season. We can boat year around here also. Its just for those of us who are willing. Since I bought my boat in March I have never had it through the winter and I am reluctant to not winterize so I can go out at times, and then I also worry that if I don't there is a chance I will forget or something and it will freeze and then :mad: cracked block or something of that nature.

[OMEGA_BUBBLE_JET]

I have never winterized my boat. it stays in a covered shed and it rarerly ever freezes here and when it does the temp inside the shed away from the wind is always a couple degrees higher. I would imagine it would have to get into the 20's to have to worry about blocks cracking.
Omega

[Devilman]

I'm pretty close to the coast here myself, below Houston. I'll cover it and park it where it'll be sheltered from the wind. If it gets too bad, I 've got a couple different places to put it to take care of it. Right now, sheeyit!! It's hooked to the truck pointed at the road, waiting for me!

[oldbuck40]

my .02 do it anyway!!! you s.texas guys probably dont know the sickening feeling you will get when you hit the lake this next summer motor is running like a champ but for some odd reason there is a ton of water in the boat :2purples: and i did drain mine,,pulled the block drains out but forgot to double check the holes,,they had crusted over!!! so you can guess the rest! its no fun having to rebuild a engine that runs perfect! believe me it hurt more than my wallet!!! and you know what they say about the weather in texas!!!! stick around it'll change!!!

[Devilman]

I like that idea about the block drains. I wouldn't have thought of that and they're easy to get to on my boat. I had the same thing happen on my Camaro when I pulled the heads. Pull the drain plugs and no water. Poked around with a little screwdriver to break loose the crud, good to go. Yessir. I about ruined a brand new 429 in my boat via water where it wasn't supposed to be... not gonna take any other chances! :supp:

[oldbuck40]

damn right, i also have a 31ft chriss craft w/a 350 sbc that is t total hell getting to all the drains. there is a total of 8 but i guess its not as bad getting to those drains as it would be pulling the engine,,there's more crap in that engine compartment than you can believe!

[Sweet Addiction]

OldBuck40,
I guess I am going to hijack my own thread, but I just wanted to let you know that I am from Waxahachie, Tx. Most of my relatives are there, and my Folks live up in Red Oak. Just some 02' for you. Maybe one day I can catch you out at the lake there if your ever there. I might visit it once in a blue moon.

[Sweet Addiction]

I also wanted to add, that I apprecite everyones input on this thread. I have received some good comments about it, and it makes me feel better that I have been able to communicate a topic, and that many of use may take any info they learn off the Forums and put them to good use. So here is a high five to all the peeps out there. :D http://www.***boat.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

[oldbuck40]

I also wanted to add, that I apprecite everyones input on this thread. I have received some good comments about it, and it makes me feel better that I have been able to communicate a topic, and that many of use may take any info they learn off the Forums and put them to good use. So here is a high five to all the peeps out there. :D http://www.***boat.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif hey DMC check your pm's

[rrrr]

boy I love the west coast, we never WINTERIZE here we boat year round :wink:
I knew some wise azz from out there would stop by and razz us... :p :D
I keep mine in my insulated metal building and use a kerosene heater with a thermostat to keep it above freezing. Too many nice days during the winter to put it away. Besides, around January 15th the BIG catfish start biting, and it's a blast to go after 'em.
Usually catch 15-35 lb fish, and boy do they pull hard. A thirty lb cat has a head about the size of a football.

[oldbuck40]

well rrrr when are going after some of those cats?

[Sweet Addiction]

So after much debate and reading from the Forums here I have decided that I only need to do minor things to prepare my boat for the winter, and keep it ready when those sunny warm days come along. Thanks to you all for putting in a kind word of wisdom. See ya down the road.

[mud duck]

My blocks would crack for sure. Already been through that once, do not need to repeate my mistakes. :D

[switchin'addiction]

In the 60's today. If this weather holds until tomorrow I may be re-winterizing Saturday.

[Infomaniac]

boy I love the west coast, we never WINTERIZE here we boat year round :wink:
Well that's the ONLY advantage.
Crowds - astronomical cost of living - traffic - crime - gangs - sky high ramp fees - illegals - drive for half of your life to find somewhere to boat - settle for salt water boating - lake law hassles.
You can have it man. We don't care.

[switchin'addiction]

Well that's the ONLY advantage.
Crowds - astronomical cost of living - traffic - crime - gangs - sky high ramp fees - illegals - drive for half of your life to find somewhere to boat - settle for salt water boating - lake law hassles.
You can have it man. We don't care.
Very well said Info!!! Midwest isn't so bad is it?? :D

[Liberator TJ1984]

I would just to be safe ???
I drain the block then put the plugs back in...just in case I want to blast out to the lake weather permitting ( forgot to put them back in ONCE ) :rolleyes:
And usually add some Stabil Fuel Conditioner , Fire the motor once or twice a month ( fresh fuel to pump,lines,carbs )& (get rat nests out of headers ), shake the boat ever so often to agitate fuel tanks ( keep them full to cut down on condensation )
I live 20 mi.N.of Corpus Christi and even though it does not get a hard freeze down here it has happened, & blocks have cracked !
About the time you are out of town and cannot get to your boat ...It WILL FREEZE :cry:

[Taylorman]

Do most of you have drains in the bottoms of your block to drain the water out. I have them on mine and all i do is drain the water out of the block during the winter. What else do you northerners do to winterize?

[switchin'addiction]

Do most of you have drains in the bottoms of your block to drain the water out. I have them on mine and all i do is drain the water out of the block during the winter. What else do you northerners do to winterize?
Drain the block, oil cooler, fuel cooler, change fluid in outdrive in case any water made it in some how, add fuel stabilizer, and finally yank the battery.
I do take it one step further by disconnecting the lowest point of all hoses. Makes sure no water left anywhere.