I need winterize help

Pirate Lady

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2020
7,574
Chesapeake Bay, Middle River
Boat Info
Sundancer 250 ‘91
Engines
7.4 Bravo 1
Middle river. I won’t bad mouth anyone so let’s cut to the chase. Boat on blocks at marina middle river. Mechanic backed out on me. It’s gettin cold and I ain’t no spring chicken no more. I need someone to winterize a 454 merc. I know WHAT to do, just don’t have strength or inclination to do it. Anyone wanna make a few hundred or or got a strong kid looking for spare cash let me know. No mechanical knowledge needed. I just need the dam block and hoses drained soon.
 
I do mobile winterizing... but you're a little bit out of my area! :)

No kids in your neighborhood that you can walk them through the process?
 
Can you stick a heater in the engine compartment it will buy you a little time till you get someone !
 
Where is Middle River on the Chesapeake?
 
Ok. Way north of me by a few hours otherwise I'd offer to help.
 
It’s going to do a warm up starting tomorrow thru Sunday. That will buy you some time as well. If you can block the vents and it will help keep the suns warmth in the engine room
 
It’s going to do a warm up starting tomorrow thru Sunday. That will buy you some time as well. If you can block the vents and it will help keep the suns warmth in the engine room
I have a full cockpit cover over the boat. Not supposed to rain. Think I would be better leave it on or take off and let the sun warm up the engine hatch cover?
 
You honestly have nothing to worry about as long as the daytime temps are above freezing. 24 for 24 is the rule I go by so I don't plan on winterizing for a few more weeks.
 
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Agree, it would have to get below freezing for days. And I wouldn’t uncover the boat the sun will warm the air under the cover. Just remember, it hasn’t gotten cold yet! Not even due t get cold for awhile yet.
 
You are about 250 miles away from me. If you really get stuck I could try to get over there to help you out. Sadly road trips are a buzz kill now with the COVID shut downs.
 
You honestly have nothing to worry about as long as the daytime temps are above freezing. 24 for 24 is the rule I go by so I don't plan on winterizing for a few more weeks.

So, if it's 24* for 24 hours then you'll decide it's time to winterize. I like that.

Just clarifying so I can get a better idea of what I'm looking at.....kirk out
 
So, if it's 24* for 24 hours then you'll decide it's time to winterize. I like that.

Just clarifying so I can get a better idea of what I'm looking at.....kirk out
No he is saying if it’s going to be 24 for 24 hours you are in trouble. Better be safe then sorry.... winterize long before you see anything below 32 for more then a few hours ..... Blueone out :)
 
I will be doing mine this weekend, I’d much rather do it while it’s warm outside than when it’s freezing.
 
Pirate you have nothing to worry about if a frozen engine block is your concern....many weeks away from those kinds of temperatures for sustained periods, so you can relax about that. I would think there are plenty of mobile marine outfits around your area that do winterization regularly? Middle River/Chesepeake/Baltimore is a pretty major boating area.
 
So, if it's 24* for 24 hours then you'll decide it's time to winterize. I like that.

Just clarifying so I can get a better idea of what I'm looking at.....kirk out

As Blueone stated I would definitely be winterized by the time it gets that bad. I plan on doing my water system and heat the weekend after Thanksgiving. Engines and Gen are already done. My boats also in the water so bilge temps haven't gone below 48 the last two mornings.
 
Pirate Lady, nothing to worry about. My engine room temp is still ~50 degrees and I am over in the Kent Narrows. Your cockpit shower might be an issue if the temps stay low for any length of time as mentioned above.
 

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