I just purchased a formula 242 with twin 5.7s. The boat is at my parents house in detroit but I am in miami. I am bringing the boat here in 2 weeks or so but I'm worried they may have freezing temps before I get up there. My dad is to old to be hanging around under the engines trying to drain them. I have never owned a boat up north so I have never had to winterize before, not sure what all needs to be done to get all the water out. Im trying to not have someone winterize the boat for a few weeks of cold. I've been looking at magnetic block heaters, put one on each block and plug it in, should be enough to keep the block from freezing. Has anyone tried this, did it work? Any thoughts or ideas appreciated. Do I need to worry about the outdrives freezing as well?

over the next couple weeks you have nothing to worry about.

I'll disagree. We've had frost in Virginia already, and I know Detroit has been colder than us.

Have your Dad hang 2 trouble lights in the bilge with 100W bulbs. That will keep the engine compartment a good 10 degrees warmer. Just make sure they do not contact anything.

1 light would work, but if it burns out, then you could be hosed. That's why I suggest 2.
I actually use two of the clamp on work lights from Lowes/Home Depot.

A small heater, if not rated for a boat use could cause fuel vapor to explode. That's why they have bilge heaters made for boats. They are not cheap.

"nothing to worry about" Didn't the Fox in the Hen house say that??/ lol I would watch the temps real close, and have a back up plan. Can you get it in a garage until you pick it up?

Just have a small heater in the bilge on standby . going to take several days and nights of temp being consistently below freezing

Put it in the water, you will have nothing to worry about. And temps that cause a frost aren't going to crack anything. Even nights that get into the high 20's are fine. It is really the amount of time spent below freezing that matters more. This time of year you will be just fine.

or find inside storage that has heat for a few weeks if your really worried....

You guys are making me feel better, I was thinking about the drop light as well. Hopefully I can figure out a way to get the boat down here soon.

I'm in Ohio and have never winterized before the middle of November. Always like to be ready for that last nice day.