Winterize engine if in the water all winter?

[jlcarreiro]

Newish sailboat owner up in Rhode Island keeping my boat in the water docked at a marina over winter.

Do I need to winterize the engine? Yanmar 2gm20.
thanks.

[Knotical]

Yes, the bubblers will prevent the surrounding water from freezing but not the water already in the engine.

[rslifkin]

In a climate that cold, I'd winterize it if you're not going to be using the engine over the winter. A few gallons of antifreeze is well worth not having to worry about it.

[Tsuru]

We keep our boat in the water through the winter. Although we’re not quite as cold as your area it’s cold enough. For example our boat will freeze in for 1 to 2 months.
I fill the water tanks, keep electric heaters set for freeze protection, winterize the engine, heads, AC, refrigeration, and thru hulls with the pink antifreeze. Note that while being not toxic the pink antifreeze is not particularly environmentally friendly (so collect the outflow).
I also keep a Sensor Push blue tooth temperature sensor on board that records the temperature. I’ve used the TI for a couple seasons and it has been very helpful, providing trends of the lows and highs so I can keep the heaters adjusted properly.
If the TI’s show the bilge area is getting close to freeze temperatures I can turn up or add an electric heater.
We also monitor the boat carefully through the winter.
This is what we do, you should do what makes you comfortable.

[Rumrace]

I think it’s the riskiest part of bubbling, ice blocks forming in intakes and expanding.
You have to disconnect your engine water heater and let the electrical heater do the job alone all winter.
I bought a boat left on hard for two years. Engine was wintered the water system wasn’t. I could see the shower drain area freezing up even heated.
If you have a wine storage in the floor the wine freezes. Guess that differs boat to boat.

[Muaddib1116]

Originally Posted by Tsuru

I fill the water tanks, ...

Surely you mean you empty the tanks?

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by jlcarreiro

Newish sailboat owner up in Rhode Island keeping my boat in the water docked at a marina over winter.

Do I need to winterize the engine? Yanmar 2gm20.
thanks.

Can you afford a new engine come spring ?
Why risk it ?
Winterize it. Cheap and easy.

[Tsuru]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

Surely you mean you empty the tanks?

I know that it is against the current wisdom but I leave my tanks full. I can't get dock water until April and I use the boat much of the winter. I leave them full but monitor carefully. If the tanks get close to freezing I'd drain them.

[hugosalt]

Here in New York's Long Island sound, where I keep the boat in water all winter, full water tank would usually not freeze hard. However, for sure, my water lines and fittings would. So water system gets winterized. Difference is mass. As I also use boat all winter I keep about 10-15 gallons of water on board in 5 gallon containers. Again they do not freeze.
Big difference with boats out of water.
I will winterize motor if temps drop into the 20's for extended time, is easy with Y valve set up. Will do 4-6 times a winter.
Would for sure winterize if I did not sail/use all winter.
Thinking your 2GM20 is probably a fresh water motor , however if not, be sure to run motor long enough to open thermostat and winterize all passages.

[Bill O]

Are you living on the boat or will you be away for extended periods?

If you aren't living on the boat w/good heating, wouldn't take the chance.

If not living on the boat, very easy to winterize the motor and water system.

[Rumrace]

I guess it depends where you winter. On the coldest days in Toronto you just never know. I lived in Caledon north of the city last Ice Storm. Niagara Falls froze for the second time in recorded history. Thousands of residential plumbing lines blew. Never mind engine damage -36C cracks hulls. Yup if you got a soggy hull one Canadian winter will delaminate it. Boat yards full of them bargain pricing.
I winter the inflatable and outboards 4hp and 9.9 indoors. They get cleaned like new in the winter kept warm and comfortable. Canvas too.
The docks become icy so salt or chemical gets dragged on boards. I’ve been to a tiny party on a boat in the dead of winter. Was pretty nice in the boat but miserable climate anywhere near the lake.