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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | i plan to fish til ice up this year. with temps getting very cold at nite one, and some day will be at or near freezing. what precautions do you late season die hard guys go thru to keep your engine safe and boat safe from freezing up. i already dont use any of the livewell systems. and try to let as much water drain from the boat when i leave the launch area. but sometimes travel at below freezing temps for a couple of hours after pulling out will be nessasary, and or keeping the boat in an open lot overnite at a hotel or cabin. what tips do you guys have for keeping extra expenses from occuring late in the year with equipment failure?
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| I fish until ice up also. Besides draining livewells etc. drain your motor. I usually sit at the angled ramp and lower the motor all the way down to completely drain the motor.
Then raise and lower it agian. This isn't redundant as water always comes out the second time. Lower unit freezing can be a major repair.
SV |
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Posts: 3920
| Never had probs with my little 15hp Merc in freezing weather. But here are some cold weather tips to consider.....
On the Abu 5000 and 6000 series, thumbbars always freeze up before push buttons.
Wet nets freeze up bad and you may have to dunk the net a few times while you are holding your fish at boatside. Can be very exciting as the fish freaks out.
Wet Lindy gloves freeze up quick, keep them in a big baggie with a handwarmer.
Late afternoon/evening/nite, ramps freeze up due to the water dropped off boats/trailers that left for home before you. Cat littler or sand will get you home, too.
That water is cold and if you fall out of the boat you won't last long without layers of wool and a life jacket. (ps - most guys fall out while taking a piss, so use a urinal or bottle and pour it out.)
all I can think of at the moment
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | If you are using a 2 stroke motor with oil injection, be sure to use a full syntetic oil. Most 2 stroke oils are pretty thick in the cold and can cause major problems. Evinrudes XD-100 will work great in the cold. Also be sure that you can get in all of your storage compartments, the doors can freeze shut. Would not want a fish in the net and not be able to get your release tools. |
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