Cold wx boat prep

643 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by djknyork, Dec 13, 2012

mallardmaniac

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2012

Im new to owning a boat and was gonna put my girl in the water this weekend to hunt. i keep the motor and gas in the basement around 65 degrees. Can i just take it out and go or should I let it acclimate to the colder temps? i could move it to my slightly cooler garage so there is not a drastic temp change what could cause condensation on my metat gas can. thanks for any input

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hunter4095

· #2 · Dec 12, 2012

It will be fine just to give her a dunk. With a metal gas can I would add an ethanol stabilizer all winter.

what I do if the freezing weather is here is run RV antifreeze through muffs when I get back.

But if you put it back In the basement you'll be fine with that. I don't run a thermostat so it's easier for me to make sure all the water is out at the ramp and then antifreeze it in the driveway.

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lwrsusq

· #3 · Dec 12, 2012

One thing to make sure is that it's pumping water.. Can take a little longer for it to start flowing

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Honkers51

· #4 · Dec 13, 2012

I'm going out also this weekend...i'll kick the battery in the butt on friday and then warm the engine up alittle...when you get to the ramp..warm your engine up good...I've seen guys not warm their engines up and then have it stall out and then flood it and ask for a tow back to the ramp...as the weather gets colder you don't want to do this.. and your setup..leave the leg of the engine in the water..when hunting..because the outside temp will freeze the water up in you lowerend...Honkers41

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mallardmaniac

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 13, 2012

thanks guys i got a newly rebuilt 1955 johnson 18 hp sea horse with the original gas can. it starts pretty well. i will run it to destination, park it 100 yards away with motor down and walk over to my hunting spot. i will take the trolling motor in case. its only a few hundred yards anyways unless someone is in the spot

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lwrsusq

· #6 · Dec 13, 2012

I had a motor like that on my old boat.. Think it was a '63 with a 25 carb.. That thing was a champ

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djknyork

· #7 · Dec 13, 2012

Honkers51 said:
I'm going out also this weekend...i'll kick the battery in the butt on friday and then warm the engine up alittle...when you get to the ramp..warm your engine up good...I've seen guys not warm their engines up and then have it stall out and then flood it and ask for a tow back to the ramp...as the weather gets colder you don't want to do this.. and your setup..leave the leg of the engine in the water..when hunting..because the outside temp will freeze the water up in you lowerend...Honkers41

Excellent tips right there! Had the lower unit freeze and the mechanism that allows you to tilt the leg up/down freeze as well. Fortunately had a propane torch handy. Get her up to temp and pumping water at the ramp before getting underway for sure.

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