Winterising in UK

[Stevie.UK]

Hi

I've only had my 1993 Maxum 2300SCR a couple of months and my past boats have all had outboards. It's got a mercruiser 4.3.
My boat will be staying in the water over the winter as we like to go out on the odd nice winters day.
I know about removing water and hoses from the fresh water systems but have no idea how to keep the engine ok during the winter.
I was going to put a small heater in the engine bay to keep frost at bay and fire up the engine every couple of weeks?
Will this be enough?

[mmwjr]

Cannot answer that question without knowing how cold it gets there but I am assuming the answer is no.

The heater is risky, what if the power goes out?

At a minimum you will need to drain the engine and exhaust after every outing, however some water is left behind as well as in PS cooler and hose to the outdrive.

How many times do you think you'll use it? If not many consider winterizing the engine and nit use it.

Risk vs a new engine

[Stevie.UK]

Thanks,
It will be kept on fresh water until spring.
Looks like I need to learn how to empty the system and fog it up.
Any tips?

[Ian E]

I also have a 2300sc which I'll be leaving in The Thames over the winter. I will get my marina to "winterise" it shortly but have been told about the pipe to the drive that can freeze up. But with the weather getting colder here (hard frost last night) I might get it done sooner. Not sure how cold it has to be before it causes damage though.

Be good to know any other tips too.

[mmwjr]

Being an I/O I would be concerned that the hoses from the t-stat housing to the outdrrive will retain sea water with the boat being left in the water for the winter. This water can freeze and rupture the hose sending the boat to the bottom.

Have others done this in your area and if so what do they do to address this potential issue?

[Stevie.UK]

Mike
The Thames is fresh water not salt.
I've fogged the engine, removed the hoses and block drain plugs to empty all the water from the engine.
I've also put a tube heater in the engine compartment and blocked the vents.
I've also added stableizer to the fuel on our last trip out.
Any other ideas? As I'm leaving it in fresh water also?

[Ian E]

I've spoken to a few people who say you can remove the pipe from the thermostat to the drive, empty the water and fill with eco friendly antifreeze as best you can. I don't have power where mine is so heaters aren't possible for me. I'll keep you updated.

[mmwjr]

Steve fresh water freezes before salt water. I like Ian's idea to fill the hose with Eco friendly antifreeze.

[Stevie.UK]

I spent yesterday doing gymnastics to reach into the engine bay.
I fogged the engine by spraying fogging oil directly into the carb until it stalled.
I removed the blue winged bolts from either side of the engine block and either side of the thermostat and drained all the water out, I gave them a good poke with a wire incase there was a blockage too.
I replaced the wing bolts and poured eco friendly anti freeze into the hoses on each side of the thermostat until full.

Any other ideas for protecting the out drive? Or any other hoses to drain and anti freeze?

[Ian E]

Do people in the UK use Fogging fluid when winterising the engines?

[Stevie.UK]

Yes Ive spoken to quite a few people and they all recomend using it