winterize in or out of water
 

I keep my boat in the BOSTON HARBOR at a dock with electricity. It is
a 1993 24.5FT four winns vista i/o gas omc (ford) with(2) 27
batteries, freshwater, waiste water. Trying to decide if I can leave
the boat in the water this winter or have it hauled out. I live in an
apartment, no yard and do not have a trailer.
What would you suggest if I keep it in the water? What do you suggest
if I have a marina pull it out and winterize it? Should I go to a OMC
mechanic or can anyone winterize the engine/lower end, etc?
I use the boat alot and would not have it pulled until December.
(which is quite late here in Boston)If I left it in the water, I am
apt to take a short ride every week weather permitting. I think that
the cost would not be too different, between $2,500-3,500 (hopefully
less) to stay at the marina or have it pulled, winterized and put back
in, in the spring.
What would be the difference in the boat next summer?
any ideas would be great!

winterize in or out of water
 

What do others at your marina do? What does the marina suggest?

winterize in or out of water
 

The problem is that in Boston it is going to get well below freezing before
December. You are either going to have to provide power and heat in the
cabin if any water pipes are left w/ water in them. You are also going to
have to provide power and heat in the engine compartment to keep the block
from freezing since it has not been winterized.

Now, you could:
Change the oil and lower unit grease to verify no water from leaking seals.
Drain and winterize the water systems.
Remove the freeze plugs from the block and exhaust manifolds.
Remove the lower waterpump hose and drain.

Each time you want to use it, install the plugs and connect the hose. You
will just have to remove the plugs and hose after each use. Takes about 10
minutes to prep and remove (of course after it cools down) each time.

--
Tony
My boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com



"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message
om...
I keep my boat in the BOSTON HARBOR at a dock with electricity. It is
a 1993 24.5FT four winns vista i/o gas omc (ford) with(2) 27
batteries, freshwater, waiste water. Trying to decide if I can leave
the boat in the water this winter or have it hauled out. I live in an
apartment, no yard and do not have a trailer.
What would you suggest if I keep it in the water? What do you suggest
if I have a marina pull it out and winterize it? Should I go to a OMC
mechanic or can anyone winterize the engine/lower end, etc?
I use the boat alot and would not have it pulled until December.
(which is quite late here in Boston)If I left it in the water, I am
apt to take a short ride every week weather permitting. I think that
the cost would not be too different, between $2,500-3,500 (hopefully
less) to stay at the marina or have it pulled, winterized and put back
in, in the spring.
What would be the difference in the boat next summer?
any ideas would be great!