Low of 27 Tonight, Should I do anything???
 

So the low is suppose to be 27 tonight, and it will be 32 or under for about 6 hours, should I be worried about the boat at all? I am thinking no, but wanted to see what you guys think? And if I should do anything?

Throw a light in the bilge, and you will be fine.

Make sure the out drive is down as well (If not already)

yup, incandescent light bulb in the bilge will provide enough heat.

So you guys are saying I need to get down to the marina and put a heater or light bulb in there cause there is a risk of damaging something?

JUST discussed.
Read the posts on this thread:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ted-issue.html

You should be fine. I've always been told that it takes several back to back days of below freezing temperatures to cause any damage.

Thanks, but why would have I looked in that thread to answer this question? When you search, which is something I do often and go digging through many threads before I find a remotely close response to answer whatever question I may have at the time. Sometimes man I just don't have time to go digging into threads to find an answer. I appreciate you directing me toward that thread, and it looks like it is a mixed bag of responses on whether it will be just fine as is, or go and put a heater in the bilge and lower the drive. The reason I am asking is because it isn't convienant at all to go to my marina. It is 30min away from my house, I work till 5, would have to cancel plans that are made, and it is a monsoon out there today. Now I will 100% do what is needed to be done if there is a risk that something can get damaged, but that is what I am trying to figure out. You think something will get damaged? Or if it was your boat and you were in the same situation I am in, what would you do?

I wasn't chastising, just guiding you too a very recent similar convo so you could see some relevant opinions. A search would not have found that.

IF it was my boat, and knowing that I have the tiny/thin brass tubes in the very expensive heat exchangers...
...I'd make arrangements to address.

I believe 3 people have told you to go put a light bulb and 1 said you should be fine. It's your call but you do have a 3 to 1. Call the marina and have them do it or else if something gets damaged you can't say noone told you but then again im sure you wouldn't say something got damaged. I don't have that problem as i live in Miami. :D... good luck

This isn't the only responses that I have gotten, the OSO family isn't the only people I have asked. Also there were replies in the thread sydwayz posted that said it would be fine as well. Unfortunately the guy at my marina isn't there today. He also said it would be fine, and his sonic is sitting right next to mine which would have the same issue if that says anything. But I am not one to go off one recommendation.

I have a space heater with a thermostat i put in mine for these times of the year. It was like 30 bucks at walmart. I set it on 50 and leave it alone. A light bulb will work also.

I wasn't sure if you were or weren't honestly lol. I do appreciate the input, thank you

Early spring of the year will freeze up quicker than late fall. Water temp is colder now and takes less cold air temp to effect things than in fall when water temp is still up there and acts to temper a cold period. Prudent thing would be take a ride or call your marina and have them take care of it.

I have always heard the rule of 24* for 24 hours before you need to worry about anything. I cannot confirm or deny how accurate that is though.

For future reference you can buy a thermostat plug in that comes on at 35 or so and put a.light on that. Keeps my pump house running and the light doesn't burn 24 7

There is 0.0 chance of an issue. I do an experiment every year. I take a pickle jar and fill it to the brim with water and put a cap on it. It takes several days of far below freezing before it freezes and breaks. We usually hear a loud bang in the middle of the night. My kids tell me "all the boat motors broke last night" One night at 27 degrees is not an issue. If you are still worried follow the others advise. Its good advise!

Fair points, but have you done such with an oil cooler or FWC heat exchanger?

That works great until you have fuel vapors in the boat one time.

They make Bilge Heaters for that specific reason.

I was always told 24* for 24hrs. 24 for 24

I honestly think you'll be fine. 1 night below freezing and then a sunny day tomorrow probably won't cause any freezing issues. If it were convenient, do the light bulb for pc. of mind, but since it's not, don't worry about it.

move to florida

Replace summer tires with put boat in the water.
 

Will you be fine? More than likely but it's also better to be safe than sorry. It will only cost you time and gas to drive to the marina and put a light in, or you can replace a cracked block if not safe. Your call,

What was the temp during the day today?

I'm not too far from the thread starter and the temps today started around 60 and went down from there, it's 40 now. I'm going to gamble on tonight and do nothing.

Going to be 25 here and I was on the fence, but I'll be throwing a drop light in

Ehh...I've done worse with my boats. Living in CT I've been stung a few times, I think he'll be ok, especially if it's in a shed or something.

Yea Artie you might need a light since your elevation is about a mile high, it might get a little colder up there.:lolhit:

FWIW, I left the dog's water bucket out last night. Mid morning there was a skim of ice on it. Air temperature was 30 degrees. I would put some heat in if it was my boat.

Padraig

Now I'm rethinking my gamble. According to the weather, it's only supposed to be below freezing for 4-6 hours. I cannot lower my outdrive due to a stepped driveway. Any thoughts on the light vs. gas fumes, and should there be anything to worry about there?

Put it in and let it idle all night. :drink:

100W bulb is fine hanging in the bilge is fine. Just don't let it get close to anything that it would melt. The 100W bulb will keep it a couple degrees warmer in there.

I can't believe you guys believe your weatherman. Around here 27 could turn into 15

Run down and pull the drain plugs

"Low of 27 Tonight, Should I do anything???"

Burn all the old tires you can find. Maybe you can kick this global warming thing in the ass and get it going.

A few hours at 27* will not freeze anything. No need to worry at all.

I put several cups of water outside last night, varying levels, with one being just a tiny amount, and when I went out they weren't effected at all. Temp gauge on my truck said 31, so checked the weather and looks like the temp isn't going to even get down to 27. Showing a low of 31 right now, and thats only for like 2 or 3 hours. Now it does feel colder with the wind chill, but ambient temp would be to important thing. I am glad though, I was getting a little nervous when I heard wind chill of 18.

Can't beleive people are actually recommending a light bulb. Go down and pull the drain plugs. With the plugs out turn the motor over for 5-10 seconds to spin the impeller and drive most of the water out. all your trying to do is eliminate the potential of having an engine block full of water. Any residual wont cause any damage.

The best way to drain a 496HO or 496Mag is with the air actuator drain system. That's what it's there for, and the two drain points create a vacuum that pulls as much water out of the upper side of the system (including heat exchanger) as possible.

Just about any other motor, yes, pull the plugs and/or hoses.