Keeping boat on lift in winter/Seattle?

[farwellbooth]

Hello,

I want to keep a 2010 Sundeck 220 on a lift and still operate it a bit in the winter on Lake WA Seattle. I've read most all the 'winterizing' threads and not sure what I need to do. I'm not really winterizing it for as I'd still want to use it in the winter. But obviously keep anything from feezing. I've seen the heater element that rests on engine floor. What else to I need? As there anything in the Bravo drive that can freeze with it exposed or does all water drain out? What else do I need to think about? It has a waste reservoir I will keep emtpy and or add something to it? I wouldn't use it all that often so I may keep the fuel full and add some preservative whatever do it. I realize the cylinders can rust when idle. What's the longest I'd want to let it sit without firing it up?

Thanks so much,
James

 

[dpmulvey]

How cold does it get?

 

[farwellbooth]

It will get below freezing 28 ish a few times but there can be longer cold spells... Cracked my frost free hose pipe last year bc and didn't take the hose off for the water to drain.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Bravo drive should drain out ok but the hose to the raw water pump may not

 

[velooce]

Hello,

I want to keep a 2010 Sundeck 220 on a lift and still operate it a bit in the winter on Lake WA Seattle. I've read most all the 'winterizing' threads and not sure what I need to do. I'm not really winterizing it for as I'd still want to use it in the winter. But obviously keep anything from feezing. I've seen the heater element that rests on engine floor. What else to I need? As there anything in the Bravo drive that can freeze with it exposed or does all water drain out? What else do I need to think about? It has a waste reservoir I will keep emtpy and or add something to it? I wouldn't use it all that often so I may keep the fuel full and add some preservative whatever do it. I realize the cylinders can rust when idle. What's the longest I'd want to let it sit without firing it up?

Thanks so much,
James

Is the boat fresh water cooled? The lake works as a great insulator, if there is a cold snap could you safely drop the boat in the water and moor in its position?

I have heard of people leaving water bottles in the engine compartment for monitor devices.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

Late season, while in a lift, we would sometimes use a 100 watt light bulb in a trouble light.
velloce is right, the lake itself makes a good insulator during prolonged cold weather, as long as it does not freeze that is.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Like the doc said, nothing to worry about on the outside - the leg will drain. BUT, be sure to have the drive trimmed down far enough so the props are angled down as much as possible - meaning the aft prop lower than the forward prop. A bilge heater is a much better (safer) alternative to a light bulb, although I won't say that I have never used a light bulb, either. Either keep the porta-potti empty or keep adding antifreeze to it. You should get in the habit of using fuel stabilizer all the time - and one with anti-ethanol stuff if your gas has ethanol in it (Startron, for example). It's best if you can keep the tank full.

 

[farwellbooth]

Thanks all, much appreciated!

 

[dpmulvey]

Have covers made for the ER vents and get a USGG approved ER heater. Yes I've seen an array of 100 watt bulbs used, BUT, if something goes wrong you're SOL with your insurance companies.

 

[CougarCruiser]

Thanks all, much appreciated!

I sent you a PM. Check it out.

 

[mperlst216]

You cannot use any heating device that is not specifically made for you bilge. Even using the proper heater does not guarantee that your marina will not have a power outage. You need to drain the water plugs on your engine after each use, keep fuel stabilizer in your full fuel tank, drain the water from your fresh water tank, and keep your out drive in the down position.

 

[pvan]

not worth the risk even seattle as mentioned can freeze up. shore power can have problems that relate to ice and or snow,