Any tips for keeping a boat in the water all winter?

[Goose58]

I have rented a slip for my pontoon and I plan on using it to fish on throughout the winter. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to winterize the engine while it is in the water but still use it all winter long?

[numbuts]

if its still in use I wouldn't think you would have to winterize it. just keep batteries charged and have fun

[Tyme2fish]

I will be making several assumptions in order to answer your question.

1. I see your location as Louisville so I will assume your are referring to local waters. Lakes and rivers can and do freeze in this area.

2. I assume you have an outboard because you have a pontoon.
All water in the lower unit should be drained before it freezes. If your lower unit is in the fully down position I will also assume that it is then in the body of water you are docked. If that water freezes,YOU ARE IN DANGER OF DAMAGING YOUR LOWER UNIT.

I am not a mechanic, nor do I pretend to be one. What I posted above is information obtained from some other boating sites I frequent.

If the Ohio river isn't frozen over, I will fish in January and through the colder months. However, my boat is garage kept and I lower my motor down at the ramp to release all the water in the lower unit before trailering home. After trailering home, I again lower the unit to insure that no water is trapped.

Just keep an eye on the local weather news and be prepared in case of freezing conditions. ie. Maybe trailer your pontoon out of your slip if a hard freeze is predicted?

Even people in Florida last year had troubles with freezing problems.

Best of luck to you.

[MagikSmallie]

yeah i second that...If you're gonna keep it in the water raise the motor so the lower unit is out of the water, Don't leave the lower unit submerged!! Had a friend of mine ruin his lower unit because he left it down in the water and it froze...

[Tyme2fish]

Just raising the motor at the dock will not remove the water already in the lower unit. You'll still end up with water in the lower unit.

The ambient air temperature will probably be colder than the body of water and freeze your motor quicker than if you'd just left it submerged.

If the water is going to freeze, it's bad news for you.

[HURRICANEBOB]

I bet one of the guides at Lake cumberland could tell you EXACTLY how to do it, as most of them leave their boats in all year long. Go to the guides page, and call a couple to see what they say. Next, call either the Jamestown Marina, or Allegator 2 Dock Marina, and ask to talk to one of their mechanics, or dock managers. Those folks advise their customers on these very issues, and have a lot of experience.

And, I think I'd hit the webpage of your boat and motor makers, and ask them the same question to get thier advice. I think that would be a good idea as they built the items, and can tell you from a design standpoint.

[kydonky]

Some think that the water will keep the unit from freezing if it is kept in the water. However, If it gets cold enough to freeze the water in the lake or river you can be in trouble. A lot of house boats leave the lower unit in the water all winter. They may use a block heater I don't know. I used to have an inboard that I would use into the winter. I used a block heater and a 100 watt light bulb to protect from freezing. Still I would fully winterize it after December (draining block, lower unit, powersterering cooler etc.). Best is to keep it out of the water and drain it well after each use. If its an inboard keep it in a heated garage. I use my outboard all year. When I take it out of the water in cold weather I lower the unit all the way down so that it drains COMPLETELY. After it drains I raise the motor for the trip home. I keep it in a Morton Barn (unheated).

[Shimano4Life]

If I were going to go the route you're going, at least put some fuel stabilizer in your fuel. Let it settle in, then run it for a little bit so the fuel that is left over in your fuel system (filter, carb bowls, carb high speed jets) has been stabilized -- this will prevent gumming and damage. Your fishing trips in colder weather are much fewer and far between than in warm weather. At least you won't have to worry about a fuel-related issue.

[artcarney_agr]

Assuming you have an outboard....

Change your lower unit oil before the winter. It's just good routine maintenance to make sure no water got in your lower unit over the summer...if water did get in there and wasn't removed before winter, it could cause cracking when it freezes.

I run my jon boat all winter long for duck hunting and such. I also have a pontoon docked on KY Lake yearround - have had it for about 8 or 9 years now. I have not had any issues with running them in the winter.

When you're done for the day, raise the motor out of the water. Start it up for a couple of seconds to blow any water out, shut it off, and you're done. Most outboards have a drain hole in the lower unit that lets the cooling system drain when not in operation...if the drain hole is still in the water, the cooling system won't have the chance to drain, and will bust/break if it gets cold enough.

Sta-bil is a good additive to help keep your fuel fresh. But instead of Sta-Bil, I'll add HEET that helps remove moisture and prevent fuel line freezing. I go out in single digits, and without the HEET, my fuel would turn to a slush in the fuel line.