Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > General Boating Discussion
How cold to require winterzing? >

How cold to require winterzing?

Notices
General Boating Discussion

How cold to require winterzing?

Thread Tools
 
Old 01-11-2010 | 07:37 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Saint Petersburg Fl
Default How cold to require winterzing?

As the cold snap pushes south it occurred to me lots of people in places that never freeze (like me in Tampa Bay Area) are getting some freezing weather. From what I remember from thermodynamics class a couple hundred pounds of cast iron will have some thermal momentum and not freeze super fast but how cold for how long before you need to worry?
happy hours is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-2010 | 07:55 PM
  #2  
PAST DUE's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: GILBERT, S.C.
Default

2 or more nights in the teens and not comming up above freezing the during the day will usually be bad news.
PAST DUE is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-2010 | 08:31 PM
  #3  
t500hps's Avatar
21 and 42 footers
20 Year Member
Platinum Member
Super Moderators
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,207
Likes: 146
From: Richmond VA
Default

If the day time temps are above 40 it's nearly impossible for it to get cold enough/long enough over night to do any damage. If the day time temps hover at 32 or less then drop more over night(s) then you'll likely have a problem....
We'll find out how well Virginians winterized come spring. Last year we had a warm winter with only a few days that stayed below 32...this year since Christmas we've only had 3 days that got above 35 and all our nights have been high 20's to mid teens.
t500hps is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-2010 | 08:43 PM
  #4  
Registered
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,439
Likes: 93
From: yorkville,il
Default

HAPPY,put a couple 100 watt bulbs ,one on each side of the oilpan,then close the hatch,the heat from the bulbs will keep it above freezing in the bilge.im just south of chicago,its been zero or below every night for at least a week,man this sucks.
mike tkach is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-2010 | 08:48 PM
  #5  
jeff32's Avatar
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,216
Likes: 572
From: St-Hyacinthe, quebec, canada
Default

Don't take a chance... invest 100$ in winterizing instead of blowing thousands in engines!
jeff32 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-11-2010 | 08:57 PM
  #6  
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 4
From: Lake of the ozarks
Default

I was once told 24 degrees for 24 hours ???
But never tried it
Thumper
thumper038 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-2010 | 06:39 AM
  #7  
seafordguy's Avatar
Gold Member
15 Year Member
Gold Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 959
From: Seaford, VA
Default

one or two nights dipping down into the 20's isn't going to hurt you assuming it warms back up during the day.

I sleep REALLY well knowing that my blocks are full of anti freeze, but you're in FL. If I were you I would either throw a couple lightbulbs in there, or invest in a heater.
seafordguy is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-2010 | 07:26 AM
  #8  
GLH's Avatar
GLH
Platinum Member
20 Year Member
Platinum Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15,270
Likes: 21
From: Burlington, VT
Default

Originally Posted by happy hours
As the cold snap pushes south it occurred to me lots of people in places that never freeze (like me in Tampa Bay Area) are getting some freezing weather. From what I remember from thermodynamics class a couple hundred pounds of cast iron will have some thermal momentum and not freeze super fast but how cold for how long before you need to worry?
Our rule is under 32* for 24 hours.

However for small cold snaps like your getting just putting a 100 watt lightbulb in the engine compartment for the cold night would be enough to prevent freezing.... providing it is lit...
GLH is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-2010 | 08:09 AM
  #9  
Bobthebuilder's Avatar
VIP Member
20 Year Member
VIP Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,743
Likes: 138
From: Marco Island, FL; Waterloo, ON, CAN
Default

Originally Posted by GLH
Our rule is under 32* for 24 hours.

However for small cold snaps like your getting just putting a 100 watt lightbulb in the engine compartment for the cold night would be enough to prevent freezing.... providing it is lit...
Yes. Be sure to turn it on. LOL I agree. All you need is a something like this to generate a bit of heat for anyone in FL.
Bobthebuilder is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-2010 | 09:00 AM
  #10  
GLH's Avatar
GLH
Platinum Member
20 Year Member
Platinum Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15,270
Likes: 21
From: Burlington, VT
Default

Originally Posted by Bobthebuilder
Yes. Be sure to turn it on. LOL I agree. All you need is a something like this to generate a bit of heat for anyone in FL.
Never assume the obvious!!! My employees had me realize that!
GLH is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.