Cold weather outboard question

F

Fishcatcher907

New member
So I’m planning on taking my boat out for a few days on a deer hunt.
The nighttime temps might get in the single digits.
What precautions should I take the my 90hp Honda motor? I’ve never camped on anchor with day/night temps below freezing.
 
Fishcatcher907":1alftnxv said:
So I’m planning on taking my boat out for a few days on a deer hunt.
The nighttime temps might get in the single digits.
What precautions should I take the my 90hp Honda motor? I’ve never camped on anchor with day/night temps below freezing.
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Make sure the engine drains of water before you tilt it up. Also, if there is a chance of rain, keep the engine in the vertical position so that water can't enter the hub (exhaust) and freeze, or keep the hub covered. I've been out on my boat in conditions where it froze overnight and haven't had any problems.
 
ssobol":ii2ogydq said:
Fishcatcher907":ii2ogydq said:
So I’m planning on taking my boat out for a few days on a deer hunt.
The nighttime temps might get in the single digits.
What precautions should I take the my 90hp Honda motor? I’ve never camped on anchor with day/night temps below freezing.
Click to expand...

Make sure the engine drains of water before you tilt it up. Also, if there is a chance of rain, keep the engine in the vertical position so that water can't enter the hub (exhaust) and freeze, or keep the hub covered. I've been out on my boat in conditions where it froze overnight and haven't had any problems.
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I always leave the lower unit in the water when below freezing.
Water temps will be far greater than aimb. for a couple more months any way. The engine will stay warm when you shut it off for plenty long enough for water in the block to drain :thup
I have had a boat sitting in the Homer Harbor for the last 24 winters. In the old days it had to be above +10 deg. F for me to go out.
Now it's +30 F & above :lol: Good luck on your deer excursion!!
 
I’m going through the same thought process right now. Are you going in PWS? Maybe I’ll see you there. I was thinking of going this coming weekend but the forecast is for -3F at night. I might wait a bit to see if it’s warm up.
 
I always leave mine down when boating in K-Bay or PWS when it is below freezing. They probably quickly drain right out no matter the position, but that's what I do. If you are going deer hunting in PWS, I seriously doubt it will be anywhere near that cold except maybe up in the upper reaches of the northern fjords. And even then....still not totally buying it and would be surprised to see lower than 20 for most of the Sound over the next several days. Today is probably terrible, but the forecast says it is going to settle and I bet it is decent by Wednesday. I'm thinking of a day trip on the weekend myself - love going out!
 
Well everyone wimped out of me. It’s too dangerous to do that hunt by myself this time of year. Between anchoring and transferring back and forth to the dingy. So I’m going to have to settle for some tanner crabbing and king trolling in K-bay.
 
Fishcatcher907":5m3aft74 said:
Well everyone wimped out of me. It’s too dangerous to do that hunt by myself this time of year. Between anchoring and transferring back and forth to the dingy. So I’m going to have to settle for some tanner crabbing and king trolling in K-bay.
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Oh man i woulda flown up there in a heartbeat 😂. Froze my butt off glassing For mulies with subzero windchill down here anyway! May as well be up there.
 
Fishcatcher907":3qo1bcke said:
Well everyone wimped out of me. It’s too dangerous to do that hunt by myself this time of year. Between anchoring and transferring back and forth to the dingy. So I’m going to have to settle for some tanner crabbing and king trolling in K-bay.
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Nothing wrong with a trip to K-Bay - went a couple weekends ago and it was very nice. I think there is a good chance the sound is very bumpy this weekend and that isn't any fun.
 
T.R. Bauer":3rgs8nhy said:
Fishcatcher907":3rgs8nhy said:
Well everyone wimped out of me. It’s too dangerous to do that hunt by myself this time of year. Between anchoring and transferring back and forth to the dingy. So I’m going to have to settle for some tanner crabbing and king trolling in K-bay.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with a trip to K-Bay - went a couple weekends ago and it was very nice. I think there is a good chance the sound is very bumpy this weekend and that isn't any fun.
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Just got back. Hooked quite a few winter kings yesterday and the weather was great.
Stayed the night in tutka bay. We did something wrong crabbing though. All we got was a pot loaded with dungies. Next time I guess.
 
Fishcatcher907":45oen04g said:
Just got back. Hooked quite a few winter kings yesterday and the weather was great.
Stayed the night in tutka bay. We did something wrong crabbing though. All we got was a pot loaded with dungies. Next time I guess.
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King / rockfish / halibut carcasses make fantastic crab bait :thup
Make sure all your info is on your buoy set up, the Troopers & Park ranger are being very picky this season. :wink: :thup
 
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