Midwest boater here and just wondering when to start. The weather seems a bit warmer this Winter than usual. Anyone going to start their boating early this year? I'm thinking mid April might warrant a shake down run. I guess my only fear for an early start is a late freeze and cracking a block. Our boat is stored in an unheated outbuilding.

Can you run a heat lamp or bilge heater to the shed? I would have a backup plan in case of an unexpected cold snap.

I am up in montreal canada and never froze hard enough in april to crack a block... or anything else for that matter!

Yes I have power in the shed. I worry about something going up in smoke.

Well hell if you’re not worried about April in Canada I think I should be fine.

Me

And then there’s me. Lol

If you start early (or want to run late before winterizing), put a old fashioned 100W trouble light, hanging in the bilge. It will keep temps up about 10 degrees, and not an exposed heater or anything.
I used to use a pair of clamp on lights like this:
https://a.co/d/9Sb0dzB

Rub it in