I had the raw water cooled, 20 hp, Yanmar diesel in my boat run for
tests last Monday. The surveyor had recommended that it be immediately
rewinterized afterwards. I asked the diesel outfit in Detroit that was
testing the engine about that and they said, "Are you kidding, it's 80
degrees here right now." I told them that, since I am 1000 miles away,
I was counting on them to be sure the engine was put away properly for
the truck trip to Maine.

When I saw the news on the weather channel, I called up Saturday
morning and asked if they had drained the engine. The person who
answered didn't know and none of the mechanics were in. I pointed out
again that, since the boatyard can't be depended on to do anything, I
was relying on them to take care of the engine. She said that she
couldn't imagine it freezing.

I see now that temperatures there were just below freezing yesterday
and overnight. If they didn't drain the engine, should I insist that
it be checked for freeze cracks before being loaded on the truck? The
boat is on shore so I can't count on the thermal mass of the water
moderating the temperatures.

--

Roger Long