Winter Boat Care

[dropnbassonu]

Hey guys,

This will be my first winter having a boat. I keep mine in the water on Badin year round, so I guess what all should I be doing to it for maintenance?

Also, my buddy and I are planning on being idiots and going to Badin for some overnight action tonight. Any precautions one should take when starting their boat up on a freezing night?

I am pretty much a novice with boat/engine/misc. repairs, so I am thinking about pulling it out and taking it to David at Uwharrie Point Auto and Marine to have him check everything. However, I am open for some basic things I should be doing when its as cold as it is.

Thanks

[catfishrus]

If you take it out of the water tonight...just make sure you lower/trim the motor down before leaving it setting so the water will drain out and not freeze inside the foot. I do this to mine everytime I take it out in the winter. Main thing is dont leave one setting very long without some type of additive in the gas...it leads to major carb. problems and fuel pump issues with todays gas. Todays gas dont last long and is the number one problem causer to boat motors that set. Im not a mechanic though. Outside of that...go fishing like normal. Good luck to you and be safe.

[jerry9497]

if you leave it in the water then you wont have to do anything for freezing, just carbs if it's goning to sit awhile. keep in mind other things freeze. Me and Buck went fishing and it was 17 degrees. The shifter and steering was frozen when we got to lake. we got steering working and disconnected shifter and I worked it by hand while Buck drove, later in the morning it thawed. anchor rope will be stiff and floors slick.

this is for outboard, if it's inboard it would be different

[bigcatsc]

Kudos to you for fishin' rough weather. That qualifies you as "Hardcore"! . Also, what Jerry said. Water on the floor of the boat will most assuredly freeze, so be careful moving around on it. What Michael said was excellent advice too.

Bill in SC

[catfishrus]

Yea Jerry made a good point with the anchor rope...it dont take much of a knot to hold in cold weather. When that rope freezes those knots become hard to get loose. Last week my anchor ropes was like telephone wire. There is no way I would attempt going out in this weather without a heater either. Got to have my heater...cold hands hurt and frost bite on the feet...takes a long time to heal. Add in the fact of wind chill on the water riding...it can get cold! Watch them boat docks too...little frost on them and she can get slick. I still enjoy those cold nights though when the fish are biting.

[BUCK]

Ever time you start your motor look to see if the water pump is still working. Some times the small hose freezes shut.

[catfishrus]

Originally Posted by BUCK

Ever time you start your motor look to see if the water pump is still working. Some times the small hose freezes shut.

Just because its not comimng out dont mean its clogged on these newer motors...they have thermostates. I can crank my mercury on the hose pipe..it will run for several minutes sometimes in cold weather before it opens up.

[dropnbassonu]

Thanks for the tips guys!

Hopefully they will be biting and it will be worth the trip. When they don't bite, you always look back and ask yourself why the hell you didn't stay in bed.

If anybody is fishing tomorrow, come say hello if you see us. '86 Venture Fish/Ski w/ 150 hp Mariner holding 2 guys with severe frostbite!

Tight lines

[beastmaster704]

just be careful out there man and good luck !

[catfishrus]

Any luck on the fishing?