would you trust ...

[LSP]

using bilge heaters and not actually winterizing your engines? I haven't had the boat pulled yet and would like to winter in the water this year rather then on the hard. Where I normally store the boat ...he wants me to have it pulled now and I am really not ready to end the season. In Maryland, I saw way to many nice days last year that I would have liked to be out on the water.

I really don't want to winterize, if I want to try and continue to use my boat on decent days. Thoughts?

http://www.trojanboats.net/store.html#m0c6094p4835

[prowlersfish]

Will I would , as I use block heaters on mine to keep then ready to start (diesels don't like the cold). you do have to worry about losing power or the heater braking . so need to keep a eye on then when below freezing . We lost power a few years back for 4 days I would run the genset and engines every night to help keep it from freezeing ( was in the low teens)


there is a risk but it is worth it IMO

[foofer b]

Count my lucky stars again. My winterizing routine is to store a bottle of port in the cabin and visit the boat during the occasional freeze to enjoy a glass, while I turn on a 100 watt bulb in the cabin and one in the engine compartment!!!

[foofer b]

Oh, sorry to rub it in!!! Sometimes I do have to put on a jacket between the car and the boat!

[LSP]

Thanks Paul .... It looks like I have a couple weeks to think it over. As far as diesels not liking the cold.....it hasn't been that long ago when we had 25 or so tractors plugged in every weekend at our plant.

Roy .....hahahahahaha What can I say?

[foofer b]

sorry guys will try to resize

[LSP]

Nice shot though

[foofer b]

testing size

[foofer b]

Thanks LSP, that was this spring, at the landing in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.

[ready123]

testing size

You don't need to test size... all prior posts will be reduced once you make the change to the linked pic in your profile. Yours is sized at 288x218 pixels need to get it down near 180x135.
Here is a nice free picture viewer that makes resizing images easy.
http://www.irfanview.com/

[aaronbocknek]

roy, is that the river walk area in JAX? i'm a flight crew member and on our long layovers, we stay in that area of town. would love to see the boat on my next trip down your way.
aaron in baltimore.

[foofer b]

Aaron, yes the Riverwalk in Jax is a long boardwalk/dock on both sides of the river in downtown. There are hotels and restaurants along both shores with the "Landing", a large retail/restaurant complex on the north bank. Would love to meet up some weekend if you have a layover. Let me know in advance and my wife and I can give you a tour of the downtown area and go to dinner with you.

[rossjo]

If you have closed water cooling system, why not just use anti-freeze? If you're in salt water, and the temp doesn't get below 15 or so, the salt water in your system shouldn't freeze ...

I drain my water heater, and all the water lines, but leave my water holding tank full, as the water here never gets below 50.

Then you can go out anytime, but may need to refill & drain your water system .

( or use bottled water and a porta potti )

[captainmaniac]

I have some friends who live aboard year around, at the west end of Lake Ontario. They do winterize their engines (they aren't moving between mid October and early April) , but one thing they have done is put electric heating blankets (like for your bed) in the bilge area to keep water and holding tanks from freezing up. Don't know if something similar might work for what you are trying to do.

[LSP]

Thanks for the info and opinions .... I still have a few weeks to think about it. Thanks again