Houseboat Winterize Question

C

ct77

Member
I was recently "given" the opportunity to become a member of and manage an older houseboat. I know, good luck right?! If anyone saw my introduction post a couple years ago, I do have some skills, as I built my own hard top aluminum boat. I also do all of my own RV maintenance on my motorhome and trailers. My question is, do folks that leave their boat in the water all year winterize the motors? I can see blowing air through the "house" lines and emptying the water heater, but with the drives in the water and the motor "right there" what the consensus?

The boat is equipped with two 3.0 Mercury inline 4 cylinders with Alpha One drives.
 
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ct77 said:
I was recently "given" the opportunity to become a member of and manage an older houseboat. I know, good luck right?! If anyone saw my introduction post a couple years ago, I do have some skills, as I built my own hard top aluminum boat. I also do all of my own RV maintenance on my motorhome and trailers. My question is, do folks that leave their boat in the water all year winterize the motors? I can see blowing air through the "house" lines and emptying the water heater, but with the drives in the water and the motor "right there" what the consensus?

The boat is equipped with two 3.0 Mercury inline 4 cylinders with Alpha One drives.
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We purchased our 27' cruiser from a slip in Wahweap bay which had been in the water continuously for 5 years. It has alpha drives and was never winterized and nothing of any consequence occurred other than the usual marine growth. Cabin water system was drained each fall. Seems the contact with the bay water kept the engines just warm enough not to freeze. How much of a gambler are you?
 
Jyboat said:
We purchased our 27' cruiser from a slip in Wahweap bay which had been in the water continuously for 5 years. It has alpha drives and was never winterized and nothing of any consequence occurred other than the usual marine growth. Cabin water system was drained each fall. Seems the contact with the bay water kept the engines just warm enough not to freeze. How much of a gambler are you?
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By the way ....Condolences
 
I have a houseboat in the bullfrog slips. I drain all outside water lines. Pink antifreeze in all outside drains/traps. Pink antifreeze in the mercrusiers, pink antifreeze in both generators.

Internal water lines left full. Heat set at 55. New batteries in the thermostat…..so that does not shut off heat.

Most likely overkill, but in 25 years, never had a problem getting stuff up and running in the spring.

Also, remove fan blades from any outside ceiling fans……they take a beating.
 
Well I'm not much of a gambler and since this is a multi-owner boat the money to winterize is spread over 5 shares, so it's not that bad. I'll probably just have them winterize everything.
 
How do you winterize inboard motors when the boat is on the water? It seems that it would always have water in it?
 
Ryan said:
How do you winterize inboard motors when the boat is on the water? It seems that it would always have water in it?
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That's what I'm saying and why I'm questioning winterizing the motors haha. If anyone has input please let me know!

I do know that the alpha one drives have the raw water impeller in the drive, not on the motor. Maybe they just drain the block??
 
I would just drain the block (2), manifolds (2), power steering cooler and water pump (on the front of the engine). (5.0 L V-8). That’s how I’ve been winterizing my Bayliner for 25 years. I’ve got sand in my block and once I remove the drain cocks on the block I insert a ty-wrap into the block to clear the flow of water. It takes me about 20 minutes to winterize. Sq
 
ct77 said:
That's what I'm saying and why I'm questioning winterizing the motors haha. If anyone has input please let me know!

I do know that the alpha one drives have the raw water impeller in the drive, not on the motor. Maybe they just drain the block??
Click to expand...
I pulled plugs on my old B3 sterndrive on a mountain lake when weather was below freezing once. The water just continued to run in. Maybe a alpha drive is different?

I’ve been partners on boats for a long time and I don’t think we have ever winterized an engine. If you are worried about it you could always buy an electric bilge heater. My boats are stored in a heated garage now and I have one in my Malibu just for a little extra peace of mind.
 
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