Cold and Outboards

[greelhappy]

Been reading a lot off my verticle jigging thread about how some guys are verticle jigging in the winter when weather permits. My question is, aren't you concerned about your motors freezing up in the cold conditions? Heated garage (which I do not have) is a plus for sure. Getting the boat out of the water and up a steep ramp, is a whole nother ballgame. Just wondering.

[Shoeman]

Couple of rules do apply

1. Make sure your lower seal is in good shape and there's no water in your lower gearcase (milky fluid)

2. After pulling your boat raise and lower the motor a few times at the ramp in order to drain the water.

That's it.

[STEINFISHSKI]

Ice Boating tips.

Grease all of your fittings to force any water out.

Make sure boat and livewell are completely drained of water when you are done.

Bring along a spray de-icer for trolling motor mounts or ice buildup may make stowing impossible. Rub the shaft with Armor all makes life easier too.

When launching and loading stop at the water line to allow the trailer to drain water out before pulling forward.

[greelhappy]

Would it be wise to maybe start the outboard for a second after it is out of the water to force the water out by using the water pump?:confused::confused:

[CASTMASTER 5000]

Ice Boating tips.

Grease all of your fittings to force any water out.

Make sure boat and livewell are completely drained of water when you are done.

Bring along a spray de-icer for trolling motor mounts or ice buildup may make stowing impossible. Rub the shaft with Armor all makes life easier too.

When launching and loading stop at the water line to allow the trailer to drain water out before pulling forward.


It is also important that when you shut your motor down that the water coming out the top is warm. This means that your thermostat is open and will ensure all the water in your motor drains out. Make sure your motor is at operating temp when you shut it down!

Did you really just tell him to rub his shaft with armour all? Man! does that work?:yikes: :lol: :hide:

[Reel_Screamer86]

Would it be wise to maybe start the outboard for a second after it is out of the water to force the water out by using the water pump?:confused::confused:

:yeahthat:

[Gone Fishing]

Would it be wise to maybe start the outboard for a second after it is out of the water to force the water out by using the water pump?:confused::confused:
Personally, I wouldn't do that. It doesn't take long to fry an impeller with no cooling water.

[CASTMASTER 5000]

I have never fired my motor out of the water and never would. Impeller's are not easy or cheap to replace. Remember it's not just the impeller replacement. It's dropping the whole lower unit to replace it, and replacing all the gaskets too. I've never had a problem yet and I'll bet there aren't many other guys who get out on open water, and in some of the freezing weather I've been out. Guys are ice fishing the other end of the lake alot of the times I'm out on the boat mid winter!:lol: Why do I do that to myself?:dizzy:

[STEINFISHSKI]

Did you really just tell him to rub his shaft with armour all? Man! does that work?:yikes: :lol: :hide:

Yes it does, and it works well to resolve sticky and frozen shafts. Especially composite ones.

[CASTMASTER 5000]

Yes it does, and it works well to resolve sticky and frozen shafts. Especially composite ones.


:lol::lol::lol: Now thats funny right there!!!

[Contender]

Outboards are self draining. Just have to let them drain, on their own.

To assist with the draining process, as soon as you pull out at the ramp....lower your motor down as far as you can. (ie, get the skeg close to the ground), so the excess water will drain out. Once you see no more draining out, you can tilt back up for trailering.

If you do not do this, water 'may' collect in the foot of the lower unit, and freeze tight.

As, Gone Fishing stated. I agree... do NOT run it a short time to push out water, while out of water... More damage than good to your water pump impeller. (Which you wont learn til the next time you use your boat!)

When you get home, lower the motor again, to allow any excess water, which may remain, to drain out. Also, so water does NOT collect in the foot, during cold storage..if stored outside.

[greelhappy]

After reading all the responses for winter boat fishing, I'm wondering why do I have my outboards winterized each year at the end of (my) season at the end of Nov.? Wouldn't draining everything in November work just as well? About 4 months later we would be back in the water anyway. NOTE: In an earlier thread I asked about motor winterizing, most reponses said do it, although a couple said run out the gas, drain water and that is it.:sad:

[alex-v]

OTE: In an earlier thread I asked about motor winterizing, most reponses said do it, although a couple said run out the gas, drain water and that is it.:sad:
Most people consider winterizing to be more than just draining the water out of the motor. It usually consists of draining the gear oil out of the lower end and replacing it with new (don't let the lower end sit empty of lube all winter), running until all gas is out of the carb bowl and fuel lines, fogging the cyclinder(s), and a quick check of all hoses, plastic coated electrical lines, greasing all fittings, checking starter ropes if there is one, and in general having the motor ready to go at a moments notice.

If you go out once or twice in the winter after winterizing I doubt that anyone would say that you have to go through the entire winterizing process again (except maybe running the gas out and fogging again-if you want to do that). Those one or two trips are nothing more than the first couple of trips out in the spring.

[sfw1960]

:lol::lol::lol: Now thats funny right there!!!It wasn't meant to be Derek - in all SERIOUSNESS , Stein's not kidding in the least , with the newer style Bow Mounts (like the Minn Kota Power Drive or Motor Guide Wireless) the shaft slides within the steering yoke and I have certainly witnessed that the Armor All is an excellent dry lubricant ...
I fished last FRI and Tim was out earlier this week.... Go look in his gallery & see if the results are anywhere near as funny as the idea of using Armor All on a TM Shaft.
:SHOCKED:

:evilsmile

[waterfoul]

Would it be wise to maybe start the outboard for a second after it is out of the water to force the water out by using the water pump?:confused::confused:


As stated above, do NOT do this. You will cause more damage than it's worth by far.

[sfw1960]

As stated above, do NOT do this. You will cause more damage than it's worth by far.

Not to start a debate over this , but I'm not the only one that "rolls" the motor after I pull out just long 'nuff to turn the impeller once or twice.
:D
Friends I have will generally trim the motor all the way up then all the way down , then roll it over for a few fires of the plugs.
:)
These guys routinely fish beyond DEC. when they can!
:chillin:

[wishin]

If you trim motor all the way down after pulling out of the water your outboard should drain sufficiently to not pose a freeze problem without rolling motor over. I have fished well into the winter months with an outboard and using this method have never had a problem. I have on the other hand rolled a small outboard over and screwed the water pump up. If weather is below freezing and you have a kicker motor you shouldn't tilt it up for the boat ride into port. The water in block and exhaust tube will freeze on the run back in. (I know that now).

[andy capp]

I dont have a issue with freezing.....I just tie it to the dock when I m done:xzicon_sm

[TimEye]

Not to start a debate over this , but I'm not the only one that "rolls" the motor after I pull out just long 'nuff to turn the impeller once or twice.
:D
Friends I have will generally trim the motor all the way up then all the way down , then roll it over for a few fires of the plugs.
:)
These guys routinely fish beyond DEC. when they can!
:chillin:

same same,

i do this also. when you first start your motor its not circulating till the thermostat opens at 145f anyways. only damage can be caused if the motor gets over 165f with no water spitting, a quick kick not a big deal. this is done to clear the impeller before it freezes, the rest drains on its own just fine. and never run the bowl empty on a 2 cycle, if you do then nothing is in the crankcase to keep your bearings oiled.