Winter boat use and storage?

[Mason C. Bailey]

I moore McNaughty III under cover at the Everett Marina as long as there is something to fish for. Each time I return, I back the boat into the slip and flush out both Honda 40's with fresh water. I then raise them out of the water and rinse off the entire boat. My question is, when it really gets cold, is it better to leave the motors in the water? I don't want something to freeze and give me problems later but I also don't want all the slime buildup either.

What do you folks think? Thanks, Mason Sr. on the McNaughty

[Sawdust]

They will freeze if it gets cold enough. Water trapped in the lower units will crack the housing - but Honda needs the money. Those lower unit housing are very expensive (BTDT).

I leave mine vertical when it is cold enough to freeze. Your situation is much the same -- fresh water down the river raises the freezing temp of the salt water. I've heard of some guys pumping RV water system antifreeze into their outboards, but no personal experience.

Dusty

[UncleRichie]

Hi Mason,
If you tip up the motors whille still in the water there is still some water in the water pump housing if its fresh water it is going to freeze. I think I would lower them if its going to be real cold. When I pull my boat out and tip up the motor first when I get home there is quite abit of water that runs out when I tip it down.
Richard

[Mason C. Bailey]

Richard,

Thanks for your input, it is pretty much what I expected to hear back, since I have also seen that water drain out after they have been raised. Would it drain well enough if I raised and lowered them both a few times after flushing and then left them up?

Mason

[dan365]

Hi Mason,

I just got a slip in Port Orchard and am concerned about flushing my motors. You said that you flush them with fresh water then tilt them up. How do you flush them? Is the lower unit in the salt or are they raised enough to get rabbit ears on them then you raise them some more?

Thanks,

Dan

[Mason C. Bailey]

Dan,

I bought a hose Y fitting or splitter and attached two short pieces (~18 inches) of hose to it. Then attached two of the head phones (flush units). The marina has super water pressure, so I can flush both at once (can't do that at my house). I raise the engines out of the water, attach the head phones to the engines and lower them back into the water with the water on. Start the engines and flush for a few minutes. Then shut down the engines and raise them up with the water still running. You can start them in the up position (as long as you have the water running) but they don't run long enough to flush, since they can't get fuel in the up position.

Thank you Dusty and Richard for your comments, guess I'll flush them and then leave them in the water during the cold months. Slime is easily removed, lower units aren't!

Mason

[dan365]

Mason,

Very cool! I'll get the necessary equipment and attempt the same. I have 90 and a 15, I'm guessing you have twins. I have not had much luck finding rabbit ears that fit very well - do you happen to know what brand you have assuming your happy with them? Mine do not fit well at all and I have to hold them in place in order to get decent flow into and out of the engine. This makes all of this so much harder.

Thanks much,

Dan

[Mason C. Bailey]

Dan,

Yes, I have the twin 40's. As far as the rabbit ears, I really don't know what brand they are, since I have had them for years. I have used them on Yamaha's and now the Honda's. They do stay on nice and tight, hopefully you can find something similar.

Mason

[SENSEI]

I use a earmuff style flusher on our 15 hp honda. I had a problem with it till I took it into the shop and usd my bench vise to squeeze the spring together tighter. It is a little harder to get on the motor but it definatly made a difference on how it seals arround the water pickups

[dan365]

Thanks both,

Are they rectangular or round? Mine are rectangular and I thought this would be best considering the shape of the intake on the engine. Maybe not...

Dan