Gonna be frigid cold Wednesday night- temps in the teens. That gives you a day to make sure all the water is drained out of your outboard motor’s foot. This includes any water that might have gotten into the foot oil or anywhere else you don’t want to crack from ice expansion. It’s been awfully rainy recently. Just sayin’…
Is there any way to make sure there isn’t any water besides just lowering the motor all the way? I use my boat year round so I don’t winterize it, but I should probably be more cautious between uses. What are some good things to check?
I keep my motor all the way down, but also change the oil in my foot before the really cold weather hits. That way I have some confidence there isn’t any water in the lower unit. You can go quite a while with water in there and not know it till its too late.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Crank the motor and let it run for about 10 - 15 seconds. This will get the residual water out of the power head, water pump housing, and lower unit.
Rick K
Yes indeed. I’ve got my rig hooked up to take to the Crappie Hole after work tomorrow to solve an intermittent squealing issue with the Minnkota. During one of my breaks from teaching, I plan to go out, lower the motor, and spin it off. When I get home from Mark’s tomorrow night, I’ll cover the motor completely from cowl to skeg.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Thanks for the Reminder !!!
2014 Tidewater 2200 Carolina Bay
All good advice. More places to look: water collecting around latch covers, down in rod holders ( the non-draining variety), and believe it or not- the boarding ladder and/or handrails. On the last one, the ladder on my camper split because somehow water collected in the bottom of it- don’t ask me how. I assume rain got through the screws that hold the steps in position. Weird- but I thought it might relate to boat tubings, too.
The stainless bow rail on my Bertram split last winter! Its a 71 model and never had water in it before, never know what water can do.
might sound crazy but i cover my entire outboard with a old bedspread and put a 100w light under the skeg --had a 20 merc kicker bust a foot a few yrs back and dont want any thing like that to happen to my big motor --also yall with campers dont forget to drain the water lines out–dont ask me why i always remember that one now !!
84 HYDRA SPORT 1800SS
89 Yamaha 150
‘BAD HABIT’
89 TRACKER 17 TX
MERC 50
‘OL LEAKY’
I make sure that my livewell is empty and I use my air compressor to blow backwards through the fresh water intake line. My livewell is also equipped with a re-circulation line, so I’ll blow air through it backwards as well to remove any water. And don’t forget about the overflow. This can also be done to the outboard motor. If your motor is equipped with a flush connection, unhook it and blow air into it. Then backwards through the pee hole. None of this requires much pressure, just volume, and most traces of water will be pushed out.
Molon Labe!
The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
Don’t forget your bilge pump, especially if you have one that operates on a float switch. If your bilge holds 1/2 inch or so of water, it will freeze and burn the pump up. Also, if you have raw-water wash-down with a sand filter, it holds some water and will crack the filter housing. And drain your washdown hose!
I never got to change my foot oil before I left, hope there wasn’t water in it. Learned something new today, that temp indicator on my truck does go below zero. This weather sucks!
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I had some standing water in my yard and it was iced on top but not solid ice. I guess it would freeze faster in a lower unit though not being on the ground.
Does Todd, or anyone else locally, have access to where your boat is stored? If so, one of us can go drain the foot if you want. Probably be fine with no oil in it since it’s just sitting.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Reading all this stuff makes me really happy my boat sits in an insulated garage. One of the few times I am happy with a smaller boat.
With that said, I just moved my popup out of the garage to make room for the new Whaler, and I did not think to winterize the water heater. Probably going to have some busted plastic:frowning_face: water lines on the camper when I get it out.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Tim,
It’s at Todd’s place so he has full access. I had him drop the motor all the way and crank it to get water out of the lines and head. I’ve never had water in the foot oil but not changing and not being there makes me nervous. If it didn’t break last night I would guess I’m good to go. I plan on going down in March for a few days of fishing then bring the boat back. Going to put 2 new axle kits on and replace the 2 older tires. Long drag back to Pittsburgh. Can’t wait to get it out on Erie this spring. I sure miss fishing
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
If Todd drains it, don’t forget to refill it when you get here in March!
Really though, let me know if you want me to swing by and check if Todd can’t.