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My Mac X has a 10-year-old four-stroke Mercury Mariner outboard engine.

I live in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada and we've just been hit with a freak storm that has gone on for a couple of days now with snow flurries, strong wind and temperatures hovering just above and just below the freezing mark. (Thank goodness i took the boat out of the water last weekend!)

My plan all along was to winterize the engine this weekend approaching (my first time doing this). Now I'm worried that some harm could have befallen my motor just from these recent low temperatures. Should I be concerned or are these machines okay in close-to-freezing temperatures for a few days?

Keep your motor in the down position so the exhaust outflow in the lower unit doesn't fill with water and freeze and you should be fine. What about your porta-potty and freshwater tank?

You can put a double plastic bag over the prop and exaust to keep moisture out in the up or down position.

I would follow the engine manual for winterization. At the very least you should buy 2-4 cyc fuel conditioner, mix it with your gas, connect a hose to the engine, and run the engine for 5-10 minutes. The fuel conditioner should coat and provide protection during the winter. Also make sure the water is drained after the operation. if you don't have a manual go online and search for one.