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#11
posted to rec.boats
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Winterizing Engine Compartment with 40 Watt Light Bulb
Bryan wrote: It's going to be below freezing tonight in an area where winterizing is optional. I chose not to winterize so that I could use my boat on the nice days during the winter. My friend told me to put a 40 watt utility light in the engine compartment for cold nights. So, I leave a 40 watt bulb burning in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray 185. What do you think of this winterizing solution? I sometimes boat early in the season. With the old boat, when I'd get the boat home on the trailer I'd drain the manifolds and block ... takes about 20 minutes once you get the hang of it. If the boat's out of water, and assuming raw water cooling, I'd drain it. If it's left in the water I would think heating the engine with a dipstick type block heater should be more than sufficient, if even necessary. |
#12
posted to rec.boats
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Winterizing Engine Compartment with 40 Watt Light Bulb
bowgus wrote: Bryan wrote: It's going to be below freezing tonight in an area where winterizing is optional. I chose not to winterize so that I could use my boat on the nice days during the winter. My friend told me to put a 40 watt utility light in the engine compartment for cold nights. So, I leave a 40 watt bulb burning in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray 185. What do you think of this winterizing solution? I sometimes boat early in the season. With the old boat, when I'd get the boat home on the trailer I'd drain the manifolds and block ... takes about 20 minutes once you get the hang of it. If the boat's out of water, and assuming raw water cooling, I'd drain it. If it's left in the water I would think heating the engine with a dipstick type block heater should be more than sufficient, if even necessary. I've seen this done many times, but with a 100 watt bulb, gives more heat off. |
#13
posted to rec.boats
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Winterizing Engine Compartment with 40 Watt Light Bulb
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message ups.com... Bryan wrote: It's going to be below freezing tonight in an area where winterizing is optional. I chose not to winterize so that I could use my boat on the nice days during the winter. My friend told me to put a 40 watt utility light in the engine compartment for cold nights. So, I leave a 40 watt bulb burning in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray 185. What do you think of this winterizing solution? Muphy's Law: If the only thing protecting your $10,000 engine from freeze up is a 49-cent light bulb, the odds of it burning out on the coldest night of the year are far higher than the odds of it failing at any other time. If you really need to go this way, use two light bulbs. Others suggested block heaters (good idea). Another low cost alternative are some long rods called "Damp Chasers". They use these in pianos subjected to cold or wet environments to help prevent damage to the sounding boards. These will plug into an AC outlet, present no ignition risk aside from the plug itself, cannot "burn out", and will boost the temperature a few degrees. Does the water around your boat freeze? If that water is staying at 33 degrees or above then your boat is resting in an above freezing medium that will help to maintain an above freezing temperature in the engine room. If you are hauled out onto a trailer, then you are surrounded by a below freezing medium (the air) and you will need more heat to prevent freezeup. The Coast Guard uses heavy duty electric blankets. |
#14
posted to rec.boats
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Winterizing Engine Compartment with 40 Watt Light Bulb
"Harry Krause" wrote in message ... On 1/12/2007 11:45 AM, bowgus wrote: Bryan wrote: It's going to be below freezing tonight in an area where winterizing is optional. I chose not to winterize so that I could use my boat on the nice days during the winter. My friend told me to put a 40 watt utility light in the engine compartment for cold nights. So, I leave a 40 watt bulb burning in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray 185. What do you think of this winterizing solution? I sometimes boat early in the season. With the old boat, when I'd get the boat home on the trailer I'd drain the manifolds and block ... takes about 20 minutes once you get the hang of it. If the boat's out of water, and assuming raw water cooling, I'd drain it. If it's left in the water I would think heating the engine with a dipstick type block heater should be more than sufficient, if even necessary. Even more reasons to use outboards on smaller boats. Fresh water cooling with antifreeze. |
#15
posted to rec.boats
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Winterizing Engine Compartment with 40 Watt Light Bulb
Because a raw water cooled boat engine may not be completely full of water.
And a block heater would probably not reach the exhaust manifolds and risers even if everything was full of water. wrote in message ups.com... Why not just use a block heater? Bryan wrote: It's going to be below freezing tonight in an area where winterizing is optional. I chose not to winterize so that I could use my boat on the nice days during the winter. My friend told me to put a 40 watt utility light in the engine compartment for cold nights. So, I leave a 40 watt bulb burning in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray 185. What do you think of this winterizing solution? |
#16
posted to rec.boats
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Winterizing Engine Compartment with 40 Watt Light Bulb
"bowgus" wrote in message ups.com... Bryan wrote: It's going to be below freezing tonight in an area where winterizing is optional. I chose not to winterize so that I could use my boat on the nice days during the winter. My friend told me to put a 40 watt utility light in the engine compartment for cold nights. So, I leave a 40 watt bulb burning in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray 185. What do you think of this winterizing solution? I sometimes boat early in the season. With the old boat, when I'd get the boat home on the trailer I'd drain the manifolds and block ... takes about 20 minutes once you get the hang of it. If the boat's out of water, and assuming raw water cooling, I'd drain it. If it's left in the water I would think heating the engine with a dipstick type block heater should be more than sufficient, if even necessary. Thanks to everyone for the discussion and suggestions. |
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