Winter Open Water Boat Preparation

  • Dean Marshall
    Chippewa Falls WI /Ramsey MN
    Posts: 5854
    December 1, 2010 at 9:13 pm #1315823

    Not everyone is thinking ice fishing!:]

    Lets start the winter boat open water checklist!

    1. Let your boat trailers drain at the ramp,before spilling water all the way up and freezing!

    2.Make sure you have fresh gas,stabilizer or seafoam added.

    3.Charge batteries,and hopefully loadtest to check for bad cells.

    4.Check primer bulbs and gas lines. Weather checked or cracked will fail in the cold.

    5. Carry a can of De-icer and or a small propane torch. De- icer works great on frozen trolling motor shafts!

    What else should be on the list ? PS,the ramps are open! wink

    walleyeben
    Albertville,MN
    Posts: 963
    December 1, 2010 at 9:19 pm #913782

    Finally fill my buick tag last night, see ya next week Dean!

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    December 1, 2010 at 9:21 pm #913783

    Quote:

    Finally fill my buick tag last night, see ya next week Dean!

    Did you get a LeSaber or Park Avenue?

    -J.

    a-and-t
    By Rochester,MN
    Posts: 708
    December 1, 2010 at 9:35 pm #913790

    Especially important in winter. Install boat plug before you launch

    jerry b
    western WI
    Posts: 1506
    December 1, 2010 at 9:54 pm #913805

    Having sold my little winter beater I’m donating my spot on the water to you eager (and much tougher) youngsters jerr

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    December 1, 2010 at 10:18 pm #913817

    A rag coated with WD-40 or Spray Silicone works well on the T-motor shafts too. Wipe down after pulling up each time and hit the base with a shot of spray to keep everything loose.

    On uber cold mornings, I like to soak the lower unit for a few minutes before turning over. If there is any ice in the impeller, you want that to melt off before turning the motor over.

    A can of starting fluid can save the day. There are many cold blooded motors that need that little kick to get going!

    Ask Dean about the wash down ramp price!

    -J.

    sauger
    Hastings ,MN
    Posts: 2442
    December 2, 2010 at 2:30 am #913873

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Finally fill my buick tag last night, see ya next week Dean!

    Did you get a LeSaber or Park Avenue?

    -J.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13296
    December 2, 2010 at 3:37 am #913889

    Life jackets.

    garvi
    LACROSSE WI
    Posts: 1137
    December 2, 2010 at 4:04 pm #913969

    Hand warmers and dry towels for your hands.

    bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    December 2, 2010 at 4:50 pm #913978

    Black Berry Brandy

    jeff_huberty
    Inactive
    Posts: 4941
    December 2, 2010 at 5:41 pm #914005

    I just put her down for a long winters nap.

    Steve Vick
    New London, MN
    Posts: 428
    December 7, 2010 at 10:11 pm #915254

    If you think you can unhook your boat if you haved carpeted bunk trailers before backing down the ramp…..think again. If you have launched recently and the bunks did not dry out before you go out….they are great launch pads!!!

    Brian Lyons
    Posts: 894
    December 11, 2010 at 1:29 am #916122

    Quote:

    If you think you can unhook your boat if you haved carpeted bunk trailers before backing down the ramp…..think again. If you have launched recently and the bunks did not dry out before you go out….they are great launch pads!!!

    Ahhh ….the stories we could tell

    crossin_eyes
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 1379
    December 13, 2010 at 9:26 pm #916894

    LOL! Good one Steve. Someone just ask Steve D. how fast Rangers come off of frozen bunks!

    mudcatkid
    On water
    Posts: 663
    December 21, 2010 at 12:39 am #918846

    Be sure to have a backup plan incase your motor fails (i.e. person that can pull you in, kicker motor, etc). Becasue when your 60hp ETec seizes on the crankshaft roughly 4+ miles from the boat landing, in 15F, in the dark….you need a backup plan. I speak from recent experience. Also be sure to have a warranty.

    mojogunter
    Posts: 3303
    December 22, 2010 at 6:43 pm #919367

    Were you running XD 100 oil when it seized? I know I read that if you run an E-TEC in colder than 32F it is required. I hope the dealer takes care of you.

    mudcatkid
    On water
    Posts: 663
    December 22, 2010 at 11:58 pm #919444

    Quote:

    Were you running XD 100 oil when it seized?

    Yes – I run XD100 12 months of the year. Motor malfunction that was 100% under warranty. Picked the rig up the other week and am very satisfied with coverage and turnaround (given the circumstances). In 12 months the motor has a new lower unit AND a new power head.

    Another tip noted by Dean…Check your gaslines when its cold! From my experinece (and I have lots of them), marine grade gaslines dont like frigid temps and have a tendency to break in 2 pieces. The photo below is from my Merc 20hp with “two” gaslines.

    phigs
    Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 1046
    January 3, 2011 at 3:23 pm #922011

    a facemask and safety glasses are a must for running in the cold also. anything over 10 mph, and it is instant frozen face…

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