Year round boating in WA state. Anyone with fast winterization recs? (350 MPI merc)

[Bakes5]

I was toying with the idea of boating year round earlier and now that I have missed the past 6 weeks due to a broken ankle (Front Draft binding did not release after a hard, OTF fall ) I am definitely planning on skiing year round.

Winters are fairly mild here generally getting into the high 20's at night and up to the high 30's/low 40's during the day. Periods of prolonged cold don't happen very often.

My plan is to keep it stored outside in a covered (but not enclosed) spot. Ideally I would like to do a mini-winterization every time I get off the lake. Can someone provide me with a detailed/itemized list of how they would do a quick winterization on their 1998 350 Mercruiser MPI with a heater? I think I need to protect: the engine, the tranny and the heater. Anything else? If possible I would like to install stop-cocks for plugs and then devise a way to drain the heater quickly.

Anyways, any detailed steps/strategies to protecting the boat and still keeping it running all winter is appreciated

Thanks

Bakes

[lohe]

You can plug in a flood lamp and put in in the engine compartment to keep it warmer helps for semi below freezing temps.

[lohe]

also consider a block heater and battery warmer the cold temps kills batteries.

[lohe]

http://www.google.com/products/catal...CBgQ8wIwAjgA#p

[Bakes5]

Oh yeah....no access to electricity where I store it.

[Ewok]

If you want to boat most of the winter is it possible to find a storage area that might have a bay large enough for you boat and have electricity? It might not be too expensive if it's just for a few months in the winter.

[Bakes5]

I am already paying for covered outdoor storage and a slip. I can get reasonable climate controlled storage but it is warehouse style and cannot take it out anytime I want. On demand climate controlled indoor storage is about $250 a month around here and I really don't want to travel an hr to get the boat when I can have it winterized and ready to go 5 minutes from my house and the Lake.

[dogbert]

We're in the same situation here in Texas. Mostly 60s & 70s in the winter with the occasional cold snap down to 20. Here's what I do:

1. Put Stabil in my gas because the boat gets used less
2. Drain the cooling system. My boat's got 6 plugs (2 on block, one on each exhaust manifold, on by the water pump and one on the fuel cooler.

It takes 10 minutes to drain the water out, so it's no big deal.

[Ewok]

I was thinking about a non-climate controlled, just covered with a door or something, like from a generic storage facility thing, with electricity so you can plug in an engine block heater. They charge you the same price in the winter for your slip? I guess I am lucky, I used to pay 50/month for my wetslip and they just raised the summer price to 75/month, 50/month for the winter now. I'm moving to Spokane this December, I won't be getting a wetslip but I guess I'll have to get ready for things to be a little more expensive up there.

[Bakes5]

We're in the same situation here in Texas. Mostly 60s & 70s in the winter with the occasional cold snap down to 20. Here's what I do:

1. Put Stabil in my gas because the boat gets used less
2. Drain the cooling system. My boat's got 6 plugs (2 on block, one on each exhaust manifold, on by the water pump and one on the fuel cooler.

It takes 10 minutes to drain the water out, so it's no big deal.

Thanks

What about heaters and showers?

[Domsz06]

i used to do it, but I had electric. I'd just pull your drain plugs and let it go. Takes a good long hard freeze to freeze blocks if there is zero water in them.

You should be fine. Drain your showers and ballast as well so that way you konw they won't freeze.