How late do you winterize

Docjason

Docjason

Member
Jul 8, 2015
155
Clearwater Beach
Boat Info
Currently Boatless
2006 44 Sundancer (SOLD)
2001 Donzi 39 ZSC (SOLD)
Engines
8.1
Sad week as my third child (2006 44DA) is being put to bed for winter this week. Never really comfortable winterizing later than 1st week of November. Out of curiosity, what's the latest anybody winterized? My boat is in water year round
 
Live in Wisconsin, 10 day forecast has 1 or 2 hours at 31 degrees. there is still time to hope for one more ride!
 
My boat comes out December 15 never really have any problem with Winterizing it on the hard if I left it in the water even less of a problem because the water temperature never drops below freezing when the water is 45° and air is 30° with your boat in the water usually not a problem when you pull the boat and put it on the hard just a few days below freezing will definitely present a problem


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Mid November to Thanksgiving. I do have a bilge heater.
 
All I do to winterize is drain and blow out the fresh water system. We use the boat in early Dec for the Christmas boat parade, then our first cruise of the year is usually on New Year's Day.

I have a bilge heater plus five small heaters throughout the cabin. They keep the cabin around 40*, and that's plenty.

BTW, we use gallon jugs of water for flushing and washing dishes, etc.
 
Too late last year for me! Need a 454mag or 383 now. Just can't see going 454 330hp again.
 
I'm coming out this weekend. I've come out later in the past and winterized on Thanksgiving weekend, but I froze my butt off.
 
kiloil said:
Winterize? I have a hard time even spelling it.
Click to expand...

Normally, I would indicate that I envy you. But after the amazing summer weather we had this year with all but 3 or 4 days having low humidity, and having been to Florida several times in the summer, I think it all evens out this year.
 
My dry storage starts their winter hours Dec 1 - Mar 1 (closed on weekends during that time). I didn't fully winterize the first year I was here, thinking I would use the boat some, I only used it once that year. So, for some peace of mind I fully winterize somewhere between Nov 15 - 30. Changed the oil this week and took one last, long ride, will winterize it this Saturday.
 
Last week :(

Up on blocks for the winter... Just counting down the days till she goes back in... Boy I miss her


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I go by weather forecast. My boat is in the water in Baltimore harbor. I'd like to keep it de-winterized as long as possible. I have made it as late as early January.
 
On the hook right now and headed home with this being our last outing of the year. Will winterize her tomorrow.

Bennett
 
We used our 390 year round. I winterized the engines after every ride. The 8.1's are very easy to do, just turn the vales off and use the hand pump to flush out the raw water side. The engine blocks are cooled with Antifreeze so no fear of them freezing. When they stay in the water they typically don't get as cold as you think.

I kept the cabin heat on and had a few tower heaters throughout the boat just to help boost the temp. I remember days where the highs were in the teens and she was still nice and toasty. When we would leave the boat closed all week, I used to turn off the water pump and open all the faucets. The only issue I ever had was forgot to drain the cockpit sink and one of the fittings cracked.

If anyone is curious as to how we got water, I rigged up a landscape pump with a filter, and would head out to a deep open spot on the lake to fill up. Dropped pump about 20ft down. I used a bit more water purifier and a couple shots of bleach in the tank. The pump also worked well when giving the boat a bath on those not so harsh winter days.
 
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