Winter storage in water

[rtrinkle]

What are the concerns of leaving the boat in the water over the winter? I plan on flushing and fogging the engine before the cold sets in. We have a 26x with a 2000 Suzuki 4 stroke 50 HP.

My plan was to leave it in the water over the winter. I will flush the engine with anti-freeze and fog the engine. But leave the engine raised to keep it from getting water in the engine. I was thinking with the anti-freeze would be okay to leave the engine raised since some residual anti-freeze in the engine will keep the engine from freezing. Are there any problems with doing this?

I was also planning on removing the batteries and gas tanks and store them at home.

What about the sails? I was thinking about removing them from the boom and furler and storing in the boat.

I've been searching on this site for more info but had a hard time finding a good answer.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[K9Kampers]

My plan was to leave it in the water over the winter. I will flush the engine with anti-freeze and fog the engine. But leave the engine raised to keep it from getting water in the engine. I was thinking with the anti-freeze would be okay to leave the engine raised since some residual anti-freeze in the engine will keep the engine from freezing. Are there any problems with doing this?

If the OB engine is left raised, then pour some non-tox antifreeze in the prop end of the lower unit and cover with a heavy mil plastic, or leave the motor down if there are "bubblers" to prevent ice from freezing around your boat.

[seahouse]

So it doesn't get cold enough where you are to freeze the water solid? Or the current is fast?

If there is a risk of the water freezing to any significant thickness, and you aren't using a bubbler, then you should remove the boat from thew water to prevent the ice from destroying your hull. Unless you want to regularly mechanically break the ice around the hull with a bar or something.

Just about everything is more trouble than taking a boat the size of a Mac out of the water.

[ronacarme]

1. More osmosis risk?
2. Wintering boat in water advice may be available from Brit sources like Practical Boat Owner mag and discussion board.
Ron

[rtrinkle]

In the Lower Chesapeake with salt water, I don't think we would have the water freezing uniess it gets really cold... What exactly does a bubbler do? Does it cover the entire lower part of the engine? If I lower the engine with it still in the water I would also like to keep growth off the engine.

[K9Kampers]

What exactly does a bubbler do?

A bubbler is a way to keep ice from forming around docks and boats. A perforated hose installed under the water, thru which air is pumped, the rising air bubbles keep the water moving so it can't freeze. In New England, bubblers also refer to what are really 'thrust de-icers', a submersible electric motor that powers a propeller to keep the water moving.

[Russ]

I don't understand this. The Mac is so easy to pull out of the water and store on land. Why would you leave it in the water?

I kept my Hunter 34 in the water a couple of winters. Hauling was costly. I had a bubbler system to keep ice from freezing around the hull and pinching it out. Honestly, just drop the trailer in the water and haul it out.

My Suzi manual says to store it lowered. I assume this is to drain water out. I wouldn't feel good about tilting it without antifreeze in the lines. Antifreeze is not good for the environment. Yea, just pull the boat out. You'll sleep better.

[Jamie79]

I remember my step dad telling me about a time he took his Jon boat on a December camping trip and left the foot out of the water. He said the water in the foot froze and cracked the housing when it expanded.

[parrothead]

Based on this YouTube posted by a Hobie Tandem Island owner who had to break ice on the Lynnhaven River in order to go sailing in January of this year, I'd say that surface freezing is possible in Milford Haven, VA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWXDAjiMUQ4

Also - outboard motors do need to be stored vertically in order to ensure that no pockets of water are trapped which can freeze & expand.

But for sure, after sitting in the water all winter, the bottom will be covered with marine growth in the spring, so it will be necessary to haul the boat then to clean it -- so why not just haul it out for the winter (assuming that wherever you are storing the trailer is also a place that you could store the Mac)?