Winterizing if kept in water

[Chamilun]

Boat near Nashville TN

Probably gonna leave the 96 2400 in the water over winter.

Was going to winterize but have never done while in water.

What would you guys do for the 2400 scr to keep it all safe ?

[mmwjr]

Winterize it the cost of loosing the gamble isn’t worth it.

[Chamilun]

Also wondering when I take everything off to add antifreeze if it'll work with water able to get in. However without water being sucked in maybe it doesn't?

Ignorance is sometimes bliss.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Chamilun

Also wondering when I take everything off to add antifreeze if it'll work with water able to get in. However without water being sucked in maybe it doesn't?

Ignorance is sometimes bliss.

This can be tricky. Do you have an Alpha or Bravo drive? You will need to drain the engine block, exhaust, power steering cooler. Then backfill with antifreeze. The issue is the drive and inlet hose cannot be drained with the boat in the water which can lead to freezing then rupture followed by sinking. If it was on a lift this would be a different story. Does the water freeze and for how long?

[Mr Hemi]

Get motor up to temp.
Drain block.
Close drain plugs.
Hook up muffs to 5 gallon jug off anti-freeze and run it till it comes out back of boat, or until jug is almost empty.
Pull hoses at top of thermostate and fill them with anti-freeze, as a precaution.
Leave muffs hooked up, and put a cap on hose end, to prevent any water from working its way into the drive.
No idea if this would work, in my head it does BUT.
Maybe Mike has a opinion.???

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Mr Hemi

Get motor up to temp.
Drain block.
Close drain plugs.
Hook up muffs to 5 gallon jug off anti-freeze and run it till it comes out back of boat, or until jug is almost empty.
Pull hoses at top of thermostate and fill them with anti-freeze, as a precaution.
Leave muffs hooked up, and put a cap on hose end, to prevent any water from working its way into the drive.
No idea if this would work, in my head it does BUT.
Maybe Mike has a opinion.???

Not a bad idea, just not sure how hard it will be to install the muffs for him and how he can secure the hose. Most likely there will be a little water transfer but not much. My biggest concern is if frozen water can pull the muffs off. Ice eater can mitigate that.

[Mr Hemi]

If the lake freezes, I would not keep my boat in the water.
My thoughts.

[Maxumise]

With antifreeze you can keep your block from cracking, but your drive will not be protected and will surely crack or break.

The unwritten rule is that a boat with a sterndrive cannot be kept in freezing water, where a boat with a V-drive can.