Outboards and freezing

JoeP · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:25 pm Post subject: Outboards and freezing

Hello gang,

You would be proud of us on the Miss Mirth, for we have been out puttering around lake washington since "opening day" on November 1st. Seem to have the place all to ourselves now too.

Anyway, the question for the gang is...what about freezing water in the engine in the winter? Will the Honda and the Yamaha kicker just drain so this is not a risk, or am I going to do harm leaving her in the water in the cold temps? Also, if it's OK to leave her in the water, should I tilt the motors up or leave the shaft in?

Somehow I'm betting you guys have thought about this before.

Warm regards

Les Lampman · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:51 pm Post subject:

Hi JoeP,

How the heck did you end up on the C-Dory Sales - Dealers thread? Shocked

Anyway, the Honda and the kicker will drain if they're vertical. So, when you run one of them and then shut it off let it stay vertical for a few minutes to allow the cooling water to drain out before you tilt it up.

If it's really going to be cold for an extended period I suggest leaving the motors down; unless you're in water that's going to freeze too! Shocked

In most cases the water you're in won't freeze and the lower units are better off in the water; and that way they can't collect rain water and freeze. In saltwater I try and keep the lower units out of the water as much as possible but in freezing weather it's a balancing act.

JoeP · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 10:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks Les,
I had no idea I was in the dealer section! Embarassed

Oops. Also, thanks for other e-mail regarding the boat being a bit slow.

Da Nag · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 10:21 pm Post subject:

Les Lampman · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 10:24 pm Post subject:

Hey JoeP,

I hope you realize I was teasing you about the thread thing... Very Happy

; I knew Da Nerd could fix it! Wink