Mercruiser 305 Drain plugs

[Scoop]

Where are the drain plugs located, and how many are there, on a 305?

Are they fairly accessible? My boat is a SC 19. I have seen recommendations to drain the water and other recommendations to use anti-freeze for winterizing. Are both methods equally effective? Is one preferred over the other.

Thanks Scoop

[mmwjr]

Scoop you did not say what year the boat/engine is. Newer 2000's engine had an option with a single point drain or an air pump to bleed the water out. Old have drains on either side of the block, manifolds, PS cooler, ...

[Scoop]

Its a 2000. I looked at the manuals via the documents tab and kind of figured it out. Looks like drains are in/part of the manifold area. What about water in the hoses?

For the last 15 years my boat was in San Diego so I did not have to worry about winterizing it. Now it is in NJ so it sill be required.

What is a ballpark figure for having it done by a Marina or boat mechanic?

Thanks

[mmwjr]

I know a lot of folks drain the water and do not use antifreeze and have no problems.

Me I drain then fill with anti freeze as there is always some water remaining plus the antifreeze has corresion prevention.

Basic winterization is about $200, I do my own for $150 but that includes chaining oil, gear lube, all filter, fresh water system, ... Which would be a $400 job.

[shrew]

I hook mine to muffs and pump antifreeze from a 5 gallon bucket. II have a Bravo III so the water pump is on the engine. I use a 1/4 bilge pump connected to a 10ft hose, then to muffs on the out drive. For me, the 1/4 hp pump acts like the pressure from a garden hose and primes the drive and pump. Once I start the engine and water starts getting exhausted, I can shut off the pump and let the engine draw from he bucket of antifreeze. I have to stand by and continue pouring gallons of antifreeze into the bucket as the system is purged of water and displaced with AF.

Once the exhaust is dumping antifreeze I stop. When I say antifreeze, I mean the -100F Propylene Glycol. I've never had a problem, and we can drop into the sub -0F range at times.