Long Islanders!!!! Did you/Would you fire up the engines yet?

[MaddyDean]

Hi All

I lost my nerve today on firring up the motors. This is because of the cold night freezing temperatures.

My feeling is, why risks it. I do not have engine warmers and also, I do not trust the marina if I did. Technically, we are not supposed to utilize Shore-power until April first and I would be worried that someone would come by and pull the plug.

Nevertheless, I am waiting at least another week.

Has any other Long Islander's fired up their engines yet?

 

[Turtlesboat]

No way, It's still freezing and it looks to be that way all week. Not that i'm ready to splash, but even if I was, I would wait a few more weeks.

 

[rcmafgny]

we were looking to the end of this week, but with the cold front estimated to last another week, it will be closer to the 15th

 

[Ka1oxd]

Come to CT River, We do not launch until the end of April or later. But we pull out late Oct.

 

[Alex F]

IMO, if we get 40+ degrees during the day time and freezing temps during the night, there isn't enough time to make the water in the block to freeze. Thinking loud here, if you look at the water puddles on the roads early in the morning after freezing night in worst case there's a very thin layer of ice. I think that it should take a little colder temps to stay consitently day and night for a freezing problem to develop.

Am I wrong here?

 

[JohnEGraham]

Between the cold temps and high gas prices i am in no rush this year. I will be taking my time getting her ready this year. Yes, i know its depressing. ):

 

[nymonymgr]

My marina and most I know of start splashing in mid-March. Remember its not water running through your block...it's antifreeze. It would take way below freezing temps for an extended period of time to do any damage and even then it will only do damage if the antifreeze gels and has absolutely nowhere to expand which isn't the case. However, I certainly would wait on commissioning the fresh water system!!

 

[nymonymgr]

Woops!!! Of course I just assumed your 5.7 was fresh water cooled like my 8.1s!! Sorry about that....even so, the rest of my pervious post still holds true. I wouldn't worry about it. We'd need seriously cold temps for an exteneded period of time. Its going to be in the low 50s as this week progresses. Also, expanding water only does damage if it has nowhere to go.

 

[Alex F]

I guess, Steve and I are on the same page here. However, we should clarify that FWC engines have better chance to survive the temps swing vs. RWC engines. Even though FWC cyrculates antifreeze thru the block, there're number of places for raw water to freeze (e.g. strainers, water pump, etc, etc....). But, anyway the point is that only if the temps stay way below freezing for days and days only then this may create an issue.

 

[vandal]

Need to wait till end of next week when it gets up to 50 during the day. If boat is in water the water temp is mid 40 ths the engine will be ok just not on land. Last year i had every thing on in the boat and went in March 25 this year April 10 if luckey it was 41 at boat sat for a high.

 

[katricol]

I have friends that are splashed already. When your boat is in un-frozen water it would take a bizarre turn of events to harm an engine that has been started. (de-winterized or commissioned if you like) I would be in now if I was ready. Even a week of below 30 day and night would be no problem. As stated by Steve...wait a couple weeks for the fresh water system tho.

 

[Turtlesboat]

what good is splashing the boat if you can't use the head?

 

[MaddyDean]

Nice feed back guys, I am scheduled to splash April 16. What has got me anxious is that I just changed the exhaust and Risers myself--so I just want to hear it run.

Will probably do it this weekend and this gives me two weeks to clean, was and such before splashing.

Thanks guys

 

[JVM225]

If you have no plans to use the boat, then you can leave it as is if that will make you sleep better.
If you want to use the boat, or want to fire them up just to see how everything is running so you can make necessary repairs or do other work on them, then fire them up and get going.
With the boat being in the water and the daytime temps going in to the 40's, I wouldn't worry about the motors no longer being winterized in late March or early April. If it was late November or early December I'd be worried about keeping them winterized, but not now. A couple of nights of sub zero temps aren't going to hurt anything. The water the boat is floating in is great insulation.

 

[tdschafer]

I have not fired 'em up yet. Props are off so I can get them prop-scanned. I still have to get the detailer there to get her cleaned up. Too much to do and the wife still has me painting in the house!!! :smt013