Outboard freeze protection?

K

kennharriet

Member
Is there anything that should be done for outboard freeze protection for winter storage, or for over nignt on the water? I have the Honda BF75. I could not find anything in the owners manual.

(Assuming moving to FL for the winter is not an option)
 
Here in Wyoming for winter storage in the winter on the trailer I raise and lower the motor a couple times to make sure the water is drained and that's it. Has been down to -40 F and no problems. On the water when its below freezing I just make sure to keep the lower unit down in the water.

Jay
 
Thank you sir. If that is good enough for WY, it will work here. I wondered about the remaining water because I always got a little to drain when raising and lowering.
 
Crack the lower gear case plug and drain a little to make sure the grease isn't milky or watery. If so, drain all the grease and replace.
 
Hi Ken
If you keep Lochsa on the trailer with the motor up, cover the thru hub exhaust on the prop. Keeps water out of the bullet and freezing. Out boards are so simple to winterize. Gotta love em
Chuck
Bootleg Hooch
 
I think it's important to leave the motor down during winter storage as that allows the water to drain completely from the lower unit.
 
I live in Fairbanks, Alaska. Boat lives in covered shed but no other protection than the roof all winter.

I was advised by my local dealer to change the oil with new filters and change the lube in the foot. I also run the carbs dry. Never had a problem.

I worry more about anti-freezing my fresh water holding (although I pump it dry as I can) and my bilge pumps. But no problems there as of yet. I don't do anything to bilge pumps.

Be sure all water containing plastic bottles etc are removed from under the sink and other storage areas. One year I had a dozen frozen bottles of water come Spring each having burst.

Baboo
 
So does anyone with an H20 tank/system blow out all the lines w/ compressed air? I just purchased some pink anti-freeze and that's what the instructions advise.
 
When we left our boat at Sheplers in Mackinaw City, Michigan for the winter last year (Brr! - inside but not heated storage) we left the motor down but took no other precautions with it.

Sheplers bypassed the water heater, ran antifreeze through the water system, shower pump and bilge pump. They used compressed air to remove all the water from the water heater. I have heard the antifreeze will affect the elements in your water heater but don't know that for a fact.
We removed any liquids from the boat that could have possibly frozen.

Sheplers removed the batteries and kept them on a trickle charging bank for the winter.

This winter no worries as we will be leaving the boat in Apalachicola for the winter.

Eric
 
I don't have a water heater in the boat, but I've had one in every travel trailer we've had, and every one of them warns not to get pink antifreeze in the water heater. The simplest solution is to install a bypass hose that enables you to just turn a valve allowing the antifreeze to flow through the water system but not through the water heater. Not a hard job, depending on access to the heater and water pump, and makes winterizing really quick and easy. Usually the plug on the water heater has to be removed as well, and the water allowed to drain out of it. I don't really know, but I assume the boat's system is similar to what I'm familiar with on the travel trailer. If that's not correct, I'm sure one of the Brats will correct me!
Kent
 
When we lived in NJ a few years back, we had friends that had their lower unit crack over the winter. They had water in the lower unit which froze. That's why it is important to drain and refill the unit during the fall winterization. For those in milder climates that lay up their boats during the winter, it also prevents rust in the lower unit if there is water in there. It also gives you time to get it repaired over the winter months when shops are slow if you discover water in there
 
Has anyone had any experiences with the radar units during winter storage? I have the Ray Marine system and never do any to the dome. So far so good. I am told the cold does effect the radar domes.
 
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