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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
#13886366
02/13/21 11:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 563
texasAUtiger
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 563 |
Do you do anything special to protect your motor, batteries, etc.?
Ranger z21
Mercury 250 ProXS
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13886376
02/14/21 12:09 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,516
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,516 |
Trim motor all the way down to allow powerhead to drain completely. If there is any water that has gotten into the lower unit due to a bad O-ring around the prop shaft you will know because it will crack the gearcase. Hopefully this is not the case. If there is any water in the livewell hoses they could swell and burst as well.
Batteries will be fine. If you are fishing during really cold weather you may notice they don't last as long as normal.
Last edited by Ken A.; 02/14/21 12:11 AM.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13886417
02/14/21 12:49 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,253
Rayzor
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,253 |
I have a 6' piece of carpet that I wrap around the lower unit, then I lower it down.
Be safe, Rayzor ![[Linked Image]](http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp267/JLedbetter/th_Boatpics036.jpg) 2001 Triton Tx-21/225 Mercury EFI
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: Rayzor]
#13886603
02/14/21 03:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362 |
I have a 6' piece of carpet that I wrap around the lower unit, then I lower it down. Why? It doesn’t do anything. Wind chill is only for living things. And insulation is only for warm blooded animals. Now if it keeps from banging your shin on the prop, that’s a bonus.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13886607
02/14/21 03:35 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
Agree with Steve. The most important thing is getting ALL of the water out of the lower unit and keeping it out. Trim down until it tucks under, and leave it there to drain. DO NOT trim it back up where the back of the prop is "looking upward" because precipitation could enter and make its way to the low point of the lower unit water channels where it could freeze and crack the brittle lower unit casting.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13886621
02/14/21 03:53 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,008
BigDozer66
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,008 |
One of my buddies posted a pic on FB where he put a light in the battery compartment of his!  Then he said that might not be a good idea! 
2016 Ranger RT188 Charcoal Metallic Dual Console 2017 Yamaha 115 VMAX SHO (VF115LA) SS Prop Minn Kota Ultrex i-Pilot Link 45" 80 lb. Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI BalZout Console Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI BBT Bow Mount Trick Step ![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/BigDozer66/Boating/Ranger%20Boats%2050%20Years_zpsqe1kjywq.jpg)
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: BigDozer66]
#13886643
02/14/21 04:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362 |
One of my buddies posted a pic on FB where he put a light in the battery compartment of his! Then he said that might not be a good idea! 
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13886828
02/14/21 01:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,108
wh2004
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,108 |
Well I did not trim down. Hope it’s alright
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13887509
02/14/21 08:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468
ToadThrower
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468 |
It is a good idea to make sure your batteries are fully charged...they can freeze, especially if they are not fully charge "One of the most common mistakes during winter months is storing flooded lead-acid batteries in a discharged state. A discharged battery in extremely cold temperatures will allow the electrolyte to freeze, causing it to expand. Electrolyte expansion can crack the battery case, causing a leak or complete battery failure. A fully charged battery has a freezing point around -80 °F while a discharged battery has a freezing point around 20 °F. By keeping the battery fully charged during the winter months, the electrolyte is less likely to freeze and cause unexpected failures."
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: ToadThrower]
#13887512
02/14/21 08:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362 |
It is a good idea to make sure your batteries are fully charged...they can freeze, especially if they are not fully charge "One of the most common mistakes during winter months is storing flooded lead-acid batteries in a discharged state. A discharged battery in extremely cold temperatures will allow the electrolyte to freeze, causing it to expand. Electrolyte expansion can crack the battery case, causing a leak or complete battery failure. A fully charged battery has a freezing point around -80 °F while a discharged battery has a freezing point around 20 °F. By keeping the battery fully charged during the winter months, the electrolyte is less likely to freeze and cause unexpected failures." Yep. Mine stay plugged in 24/7 when off the water, not an issue here. Now the boat cover is frozen stiff and has a solid layer on it now. Hopefully it doesn’t get damaged.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: SteezMacQueen]
#13887595
02/14/21 09:45 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917
C130
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917 |
I have a 6' piece of carpet that I wrap around the lower unit, then I lower it down. Why? It doesn’t do anything. Wind chill is only for living things. And insulation is only for warm blooded animals. Now if it keeps from banging your shin on the prop, that’s a bonus. Why do we insulate pipes, houses then? I can understand insulating home to keep the heat or cool air in or out but I’m not sure I agree on saying wrapping something doesn’t help at all. Now saying that, I don’t wrap my lower unit either (that just doesn’t sound right )
Last edited by C130; 02/14/21 09:48 PM.
Bass Cat Eyra
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: C130]
#13887600
02/14/21 09:49 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,286
Chris B
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,286 |
I have a 6' piece of carpet that I wrap around the lower unit, then I lower it down. Why? It doesn’t do anything. Wind chill is only for living things. And insulation is only for warm blooded animals. Now if it keeps from banging your shin on the prop, that’s a bonus. Why do we insulate pipes, houses then? I can understand insulating home to keep the heat or cool air in or out but I’m not sure I agree on saying wrapping something doesn’t help at all. Because the pipes in your house have water running through them that comes out at ground temp. Your lower unit oil is going to be whatever the temp is outside. luckily it doesn't hurt oil to get cold.
![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/usergals/2017/07/full-3769-170037-image.png) I hate photobucket.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#13887616
02/14/21 10:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,460
Rube G.
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,460 |
A little late now, but run RV Antifreeze thru all of your pumps.
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: SteezMacQueen]
#13887714
02/14/21 11:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,417
Okie Poke
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,417 |
It is a good idea to make sure your batteries are fully charged...they can freeze, especially if they are not fully charge "One of the most common mistakes during winter months is storing flooded lead-acid batteries in a discharged state. A discharged battery in extremely cold temperatures will allow the electrolyte to freeze, causing it to expand. Electrolyte expansion can crack the battery case, causing a leak or complete battery failure. A fully charged battery has a freezing point around -80 °F while a discharged battery has a freezing point around 20 °F. By keeping the battery fully charged during the winter months, the electrolyte is less likely to freeze and cause unexpected failures." Yep. Mine stay plugged in 24/7 when off the water, not an issue here. Now the boat cover is frozen stiff and has a solid layer on it now. Hopefully it doesn’t get damaged. I can visualize you out there tomorrow morning trying to get that stiff cover off and go fishing. You’re still too mad at those fish!
😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎
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Re: Protecting boat/motor from super cold temps?
[Re: Okie Poke]
#13887823
02/15/21 12:14 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,362 |
It is a good idea to make sure your batteries are fully charged...they can freeze, especially if they are not fully charge "One of the most common mistakes during winter months is storing flooded lead-acid batteries in a discharged state. A discharged battery in extremely cold temperatures will allow the electrolyte to freeze, causing it to expand. Electrolyte expansion can crack the battery case, causing a leak or complete battery failure. A fully charged battery has a freezing point around -80 °F while a discharged battery has a freezing point around 20 °F. By keeping the battery fully charged during the winter months, the electrolyte is less likely to freeze and cause unexpected failures." Yep. Mine stay plugged in 24/7 when off the water, not an issue here. Now the boat cover is frozen stiff and has a solid layer on it now. Hopefully it doesn’t get damaged. I can visualize you out there tomorrow morning trying to get that stiff cover off and go fishing. You’re still too mad at those fish! Nah. I stocked up on Frittsides and a bunch of other stuff. Gonna take the next couple days off from work and respool reels, clean out tackle boxes, and clean some stuff.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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