How late (in the year) can you use your whaler?

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  How late (in the year) can you use your whaler?

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   How late (in the year) can you use your whaler?

Buckda posted 09-13-2002 03:59 PM ET (US)
Okay...for you guys in the north who are required to winterize your motors...
If I change my lower unit oil and there is no water in the unit, etc...can I theoretically use the boat througout the winter so long as the water remains ice-free?
For instance, for those who own property on an island - can you use your boat until the final freeze? Can I trailer it down south and use it in the lakes and trailer it back to the north without winterizing it?
Winterization is just to make sure everything stays lubricated for a long period of non-use right? So if I use the boat engine, it'll be fine, so long as I make sure to drain it right? Or am I totally missing something and contemplating ruining my engine this winter?
I'll probably use it at least once a month all winter long (trips, fishing on local rivers until they freeze, etc). Perhaps Feb and March it will sit unused....
Thoughts? Condemnations?
lhg posted 09-13-2002 05:03 PM ET (US)
Outboards don't need to be winterized, as long as you put it in the down position to drain out any cooling water before it gets cold. A little fogging oil in the cylinders is all that's needed if non-use is longer than a few months. Just keep the tank full to prevent condensation, with a little MDR "waterzorb" in it. You can bring the battery indoors and keep it trickle charged if you want to, or keep it trickle charged in your storage place in the boat. Mercury recommends you disconnect the positive engine battery lead if battery remains in boat.
Winterization and de-winterization is a huge profit center for dealers, and most applicable to stern drives. For outboards, it's a waste of money. Nothing needs to be done to lower unit oil other than it's normal maintenance.
Buckda posted 09-13-2002 05:08 PM ET (US)
Thanks Larry -
That's what I was thinking...but was worried if I was wrong. The boat will get year-round use at least once a month, and I'm thinking of buying land in the Les Chenaux Islands which would require a boat late and early in the season before the ice freezes across the channels. Of course, there will be a few weeks in there between using the boat and being able to snowshoe across...but want to be able to use the property year round. Will also likely be trailering the boat to lakes in Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina to visit family during the coldest winter months.
gnr posted 09-13-2002 05:39 PM ET (US)
Winterization could be better termed "storagization". I use my boat for hunting and fishing till the end of December and usually have it in the water by mid March for the ice out fishing. I give it it's yearly maintenance in the fall while it is still warm and at most fog it if it looks like she'll be sitting for two or three months.
lhg posted 09-13-2002 07:21 PM ET (US)
Buckda - I don't know what kind of Whaler you have, but it sounds like you may be needing some Mills canvas!
Boston Marine posted 09-13-2002 08:20 PM ET (US)
I was taught to drain the lower overnight (in case of any water content) and re-fill the next day to insure no cracks of the gearcase.
Dunk posted 09-15-2002 12:46 AM ET (US)
Don't know if I can agree with outboards don't need winterized, but there are few things you do need. If you are going to let them sit 60 days or so you should leave stabilized fuel in the carbs. Probably the easiest way to protect your engine is to mix up a batch winterizing fuel. 2 gal of fuel, 2qt of outboard oil and double shot of Stabil fuel stabilizer in separate 3 gal tempo fuel tank. This should be enough to winterize the engine 10 times. When you are going to leave it sit just plug that fuel tank in and let it idle till she's smoking, about 10 mins.
The extra oil will protect the bearings and crankshaft surface and the stabil will keep the fuel fresh and from gumming up your carbs. It's too easy not to do it this way.
Another thing is don't leave your engine tilted up. If the gearcase exhaust hub fills with water and freezes it will break it open like an eggshell.
whaleryo posted 09-15-2002 10:48 AM ET (US)

I think we're all gonna miss complaining about the lack of a search engine! :)
whaleryo posted 09-15-2002 10:50 AM ET (US)
Weird! I was posting previous reply to another thread but it ended up here somehow.
Dunk,
That's a great idea that I never heard before. So you do this instead of fogging?
Swellmonster posted 09-15-2002 10:29 PM ET (US)
LGH,
Why the positive, not the negative terminal?
ShrimpBurrito posted 09-15-2002 11:29 PM ET (US)
Dunk - I assume you only need enough of your winterizing solution to run the engine 10 min, right? Why do you make 3 gallons?
Buckda posted 09-16-2002 09:22 AM ET (US)
Larry -
Mills Canvas already on order. (Man that stuff is expensive!)
I just have a little 15 footer, but I've got plenty of warm (and waterproof) clothes too!
BQUICK posted 09-16-2002 09:56 AM ET (US)
I ran mine all winter once in Long Island.....kept it in the water. Didn't do anything re: winterizing. Motor (50 Merc) didn't run well when it was real cold.....no thermostat and carbs would ice.
But it was fun to go out in the ocean on a nice day in the middle of winter. (dressed like the Michelin guy)
Bruce
lhg posted 09-16-2002 04:50 PM ET (US)
Swellmonster - I'm no electrical engineer, just repeating Merc's instructions. But it must have something to do with the fact that current flows out of the positive terminal to the engine, and they want to prevent that from happening. JimH, help!
triblet posted 09-17-2002 01:20 AM ET (US)
I take mine out of the water after a night
dive on Dec 31, put it back in the next day
while everybody else is watching football.
;-)
Chuck
in California
Tsuriki BW posted 09-17-2002 03:20 AM ET (US)
lhg,
Could it be that the negative is "common" to many areas of the boat, does not have any electrical potential that could a "leak" and cause any elecrtical drain or potential corrosion problems?
Whereas, leaving the positive (which has an electrical potential) connected, just might find even a small "leak" in the ground system, drain current and potentially cause a kind of corrosion problem over time.
hmmmmmm
Tsuriki
maybe off base...been a long time..
pglein posted 09-20-2002 07:39 PM ET (US)
gotta love the northwest. no winterization necessary. year round boating (as long as you don't mind the rain!)
logan posted 09-24-2002 01:06 AM ET (US)
I live in sitka, most everyone uses there boats year round, so no winterization.
jimh posted 10-03-2002 09:44 AM ET (US)
Just trailer that Whaler south and use it year-round!
TRIDENT posted 10-07-2002 02:50 PM ET (US)
Texas, no winterization required.
I_love_my_boats posted 10-07-2002 03:13 PM ET (US)
I kept my 17 in the water on Long Island for many a winter. Some of my fondest memories were using it to carve out huge 'icebergs' from 6 inch thick bay ice, (the whaler would ride up the ice and crush it) setting them adrift in the falling tide to crash and pile up at the local bridge. What a blast!
WantaWhale posted 10-07-2002 03:29 PM ET (US)
I have heard the same instructions Dunk gave on THT. But several people have told me it's even better to just run your engine once a month as that way your waterpump gets used and doesn't crack and dry up (plastic/Rubber impeller). Just be sure and do something as years ago I was lazy and did nothing and carbs gummed up everytime.
credditt posted 10-16-2002 10:06 PM ET (US)
All year long. There's lot's of things I don't like about south florida, the warm winter weather isn't one of them!

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: How late (in the year) can you use your whaler?
Buckda	posted 09-13-2002 03:59 PM ET (US) Okay...for you guys in the north who are required to winterize your motors... If I change my lower unit oil and there is no water in the unit, etc...can I theoretically use the boat througout the winter so long as the water remains ice-free? For instance, for those who own property on an island - can you use your boat until the final freeze? Can I trailer it down south and use it in the lakes and trailer it back to the north without winterizing it? Winterization is just to make sure everything stays lubricated for a long period of non-use right? So if I use the boat engine, it'll be fine, so long as I make sure to drain it right? Or am I totally missing something and contemplating ruining my engine this winter? I'll probably use it at least once a month all winter long (trips, fishing on local rivers until they freeze, etc). Perhaps Feb and March it will sit unused.... Thoughts? Condemnations?
lhg	posted 09-13-2002 05:03 PM ET (US) Outboards don't need to be winterized, as long as you put it in the down position to drain out any cooling water before it gets cold. A little fogging oil in the cylinders is all that's needed if non-use is longer than a few months. Just keep the tank full to prevent condensation, with a little MDR "waterzorb" in it. You can bring the battery indoors and keep it trickle charged if you want to, or keep it trickle charged in your storage place in the boat. Mercury recommends you disconnect the positive engine battery lead if battery remains in boat. Winterization and de-winterization is a huge profit center for dealers, and most applicable to stern drives. For outboards, it's a waste of money. Nothing needs to be done to lower unit oil other than it's normal maintenance.
Buckda	posted 09-13-2002 05:08 PM ET (US) Thanks Larry - That's what I was thinking...but was worried if I was wrong. The boat will get year-round use at least once a month, and I'm thinking of buying land in the Les Chenaux Islands which would require a boat late and early in the season before the ice freezes across the channels. Of course, there will be a few weeks in there between using the boat and being able to snowshoe across...but want to be able to use the property year round. Will also likely be trailering the boat to lakes in Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina to visit family during the coldest winter months.
gnr	posted 09-13-2002 05:39 PM ET (US) Winterization could be better termed "storagization". I use my boat for hunting and fishing till the end of December and usually have it in the water by mid March for the ice out fishing. I give it it's yearly maintenance in the fall while it is still warm and at most fog it if it looks like she'll be sitting for two or three months.
lhg	posted 09-13-2002 07:21 PM ET (US) Buckda - I don't know what kind of Whaler you have, but it sounds like you may be needing some Mills canvas!
Boston Marine	posted 09-13-2002 08:20 PM ET (US) I was taught to drain the lower overnight (in case of any water content) and re-fill the next day to insure no cracks of the gearcase.
Dunk	posted 09-15-2002 12:46 AM ET (US) Don't know if I can agree with outboards don't need winterized, but there are few things you do need. If you are going to let them sit 60 days or so you should leave stabilized fuel in the carbs. Probably the easiest way to protect your engine is to mix up a batch winterizing fuel. 2 gal of fuel, 2qt of outboard oil and double shot of Stabil fuel stabilizer in separate 3 gal tempo fuel tank. This should be enough to winterize the engine 10 times. When you are going to leave it sit just plug that fuel tank in and let it idle till she's smoking, about 10 mins. The extra oil will protect the bearings and crankshaft surface and the stabil will keep the fuel fresh and from gumming up your carbs. It's too easy not to do it this way. Another thing is don't leave your engine tilted up. If the gearcase exhaust hub fills with water and freezes it will break it open like an eggshell.
whaleryo	posted 09-15-2002 10:48 AM ET (US) I think we're all gonna miss complaining about the lack of a search engine! :)
whaleryo	posted 09-15-2002 10:50 AM ET (US) Weird! I was posting previous reply to another thread but it ended up here somehow. Dunk, That's a great idea that I never heard before. So you do this instead of fogging?
Swellmonster	posted 09-15-2002 10:29 PM ET (US) LGH, Why the positive, not the negative terminal?
ShrimpBurrito	posted 09-15-2002 11:29 PM ET (US) Dunk - I assume you only need enough of your winterizing solution to run the engine 10 min, right? Why do you make 3 gallons?
Buckda	posted 09-16-2002 09:22 AM ET (US) Larry - Mills Canvas already on order. (Man that stuff is expensive!) I just have a little 15 footer, but I've got plenty of warm (and waterproof) clothes too!
BQUICK	posted 09-16-2002 09:56 AM ET (US) I ran mine all winter once in Long Island.....kept it in the water. Didn't do anything re: winterizing. Motor (50 Merc) didn't run well when it was real cold.....no thermostat and carbs would ice. But it was fun to go out in the ocean on a nice day in the middle of winter. (dressed like the Michelin guy) Bruce
lhg	posted 09-16-2002 04:50 PM ET (US) Swellmonster - I'm no electrical engineer, just repeating Merc's instructions. But it must have something to do with the fact that current flows out of the positive terminal to the engine, and they want to prevent that from happening. JimH, help!
triblet	posted 09-17-2002 01:20 AM ET (US) I take mine out of the water after a night dive on Dec 31, put it back in the next day while everybody else is watching football. ;-) Chuck in California
Tsuriki BW	posted 09-17-2002 03:20 AM ET (US) lhg, Could it be that the negative is "common" to many areas of the boat, does not have any electrical potential that could a "leak" and cause any elecrtical drain or potential corrosion problems? Whereas, leaving the positive (which has an electrical potential) connected, just might find even a small "leak" in the ground system, drain current and potentially cause a kind of corrosion problem over time. hmmmmmm Tsuriki maybe off base...been a long time..
pglein	posted 09-20-2002 07:39 PM ET (US) gotta love the northwest. no winterization necessary. year round boating (as long as you don't mind the rain!)
logan	posted 09-24-2002 01:06 AM ET (US) I live in sitka, most everyone uses there boats year round, so no winterization.
jimh	posted 10-03-2002 09:44 AM ET (US) Just trailer that Whaler south and use it year-round!
TRIDENT	posted 10-07-2002 02:50 PM ET (US) Texas, no winterization required.
I_love_my_boats	posted 10-07-2002 03:13 PM ET (US) I kept my 17 in the water on Long Island for many a winter. Some of my fondest memories were using it to carve out huge 'icebergs' from 6 inch thick bay ice, (the whaler would ride up the ice and crush it) setting them adrift in the falling tide to crash and pile up at the local bridge. What a blast!
WantaWhale	posted 10-07-2002 03:29 PM ET (US) I have heard the same instructions Dunk gave on THT. But several people have told me it's even better to just run your engine once a month as that way your waterpump gets used and doesn't crack and dry up (plastic/Rubber impeller). Just be sure and do something as years ago I was lazy and did nothing and carbs gummed up everytime.
credditt	posted 10-16-2002 10:06 PM ET (US) All year long. There's lot's of things I don't like about south florida, the warm winter weather isn't one of them!