Winter Use of Outboard

I’ve never used my boat in winter. I’m considering a trip to pool 4. I have a Yamaha VMax 225.

Anything I should consider? Should the motor be left in the water all the time, etc.

Thanks for your help.

No issues. Leave in the water.

All outboards drain out when off.

After you pull the boat. tip motor up then down a few times.

I run mine for 3 seconds or so but many will debate this…

Make sure to let trailer drain at bottom of the ramp before you pull all the way out and soak the ramp making it slick.

Some also get plugs for their live well ports from hardware stores and avoid using the bilge.

Spray trolling motor shaft with silicone or wd40 before use could prevent issues and make sure troller is drained out when you lift the motor out to stow it.

Big thing I learned …. if it is really cold, start the motor and just let it warm up slowly. Do not freak out if it isn’t peeing water right away. Thermostat. My first time I almost put it back on the trailer after freaking out that my 5.5 hour ride one way to pool 4 was a loss because of problem.

Since then, I have traded messages with many others that had this happen. You look back, see no water coming out and think oh no. As a summer only guy, just didn’t know the first time I put in at 15 degrees.

I run mine in advance at home to make sure all is good, drain, and then go fishing after plugging drains, and such on sides of the boat.

Definitely let the motor drain out completely.

For the boat I always carry wiper fluid with me and dump some in livewells bait wells and down the floor drain in my boat to ensure those areas were flushed well and wouldn’t freeze and crack the water lines.

Forgot to mention…if you have a kicker on your boat…even if you don’t use it..put it down and make sure any wter that might have gotten in there is drained as well.

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Definitely let the motor drain out completely.

For the boat I always carry wiper fluid with me and dump some in livewells bait wells and down the floor drain in my boat to ensure those areas were flushed well and wouldn’t freeze and crack the water lines.

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I get where you’re going with this, but wouldn’t it be better to use non-toxic RV anitfreeze instead?

Grouse

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Definitely let the motor drain out completely.

For the boat I always carry wiper fluid with me and dump some in livewells bait wells and down the floor drain in my boat to ensure those areas were flushed well and wouldn’t freeze and crack the water lines.

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I get where you’re going with this, but wouldn’t it be better to use non-toxic RV anitfreeze instead?

Grouse

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I was thinking the same thing. Some type of antifreeze would probably be a lot better.

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Definitely let the motor drain out completely.

For the boat I always carry wiper fluid with me and dump some in livewells bait wells and down the floor drain in my boat to ensure those areas were flushed well and wouldn’t freeze and crack the water lines.

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I get where you’re going with this, but wouldn’t it be better to use non-toxic RV anitfreeze instead?

Grouse

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I was thinking the same thing. Some type of antifreeze would probably be a lot better.

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All wiper fluid is just alcohol mixed with water…

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Definitely let the motor drain out completely.

For the boat I always carry wiper fluid with me and dump some in livewells bait wells and down the floor drain in my boat to ensure those areas were flushed well and wouldn’t freeze and crack the water lines.

---

I get where you’re going with this, but wouldn’t it be better to use non-toxic RV anitfreeze instead?

Grouse

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I was thinking the same thing. Some type of antifreeze would probably be a lot better.

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All wiper fluid is just alcohol mixed with water…

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Alcohol and water do not mix and water freezes.

Wiper fluid sold around here is a mix of alcohol, ammonia, and other nasties. It doesn’t have “poison” written on the label for nothing.

Bottom line is for a few bucks more per gallon, why not use something non-toxic?

Or better yet, blow the lines out with compressed air.

Grouse

I fully agree with the RV antifreeze but how do you blow out the lines at the launch when you’ve got a 5 hour drive ahead of you to get home? I have a 2003 Tuffy that I’m picking up next week and want to try in the water what size are the exit drains in the hull?

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how do you blow out the lines at the launch when you’ve got a 5 hour drive ahead of you to get home?

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I use a compessed air tank with an air nozzel. They’re cheap. If you don’t have a compressor you can even fill em up at the gas station for free.

Just blow out the water lines after you pull the boat out of the water

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Alcohol and water do not mix and water freezes.

Wiper fluid sold around here is a mix of alcohol, ammonia, and other nasties. It doesn’t have “poison” written on the label for nothing

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Just for the record…I do not say to put poison into the water..not..If it was me I would do it different….
But ,by your own definition,it is a mixture of water and alcohol….

Again…Just for the record