Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > General Boating Discussion
Winterize on boat lift in Pensacola? >

Winterize on boat lift in Pensacola?

Notices

Winterize on boat lift in Pensacola?

Thread Tools
 
Old 10-25-2019, 02:49 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Perdido Key, Madison, NC
Posts: 1,007
Received 308 Likes on 156 Posts
Default Winterize on boat lift in Pensacola?

I plan to use my boat all year round (as reasonable weather permits). Does it get cold enough (for an extended period) for ice/damage to occur with a boat on a lift (under roof) in Pensacola (Perdido Key)?
Formula 311 with twin 500 hp big blocks and Bravo drives.
Thanks,
Tom
F14A water jet is offline  
Old 10-25-2019, 02:57 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Collierville, TN and Pickwick Lake
Posts: 2,291
Received 395 Likes on 165 Posts
Default

I feel certain you'll be fine but if the temp happens to dip into the danger zone a heat lamp will keep you safe. I used one in my bilge a few years ago when we had an early cold snap (low 20's for three days). I also dropped one of those thermometers that records high and low temps as far as possible from the lamp and the low temp was in the high 30's. Boat was under a shed with a cover on it.
payuppsucker is offline  
Old 10-25-2019, 03:17 PM
  #3  
Registered
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KY
Posts: 4,159
Received 485 Likes on 377 Posts
Default

I put a 60 watt bulb in the bilge one time and it kept the engine room toasty
AllDodge is offline  
Old 10-25-2019, 07:47 PM
  #4  
Registered
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Go to Home Depot and ask for a thermo switch. It looks like a white extension plug. It turns the circuit on when the temperature lowers towards 32 degrees. Stick the male part in a live circuit and plug a light bulb line in the other. Clip the light to something in your engine area. Another thing you can use you can pick up at West Marine. It is a round metal covered blower that offers up low continuous heat. I keep two of them in my Donzi even though I have drained the block, water pump, and sea strainer for the winter. I am in the Seattle area.
wwahl is offline  
Old 10-25-2019, 07:52 PM
  #5  
Registered
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 498
Received 121 Likes on 62 Posts
Default

I think no need but I have gone the light bulb route myself?
Nothing personel 353 is offline  
Old 10-25-2019, 11:36 PM
  #6  
Gold Member
Gold Member
 
seafordguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Seaford, VA
Posts: 4,974
Received 830 Likes on 387 Posts
Default

I always winterize, but:
A. I do it for the corrosion protection over the winter
B. We do get cold snaps with several days of weather that never riees above 32.
C. There is a 1 in 100 chance that we lose power and then my body heater won't do any good anyways.

I don't think I would bother in Florida!
seafordguy is offline  
Old 10-26-2019, 01:12 AM
  #7  
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Omaha/LOTO
Posts: 19,753
Received 1,993 Likes on 995 Posts
Default

Looks like lowest temps each year get into the high teens or low 20's. That is the low and it would need to be at that temps for 12-24 hrs to freeze in an engine. I doubt there would ever be any damage, but I would go with a bilge heater for peace of mind.
https://www.currentresults.com/Yearl...emperature.php
Griff is offline  
Old 10-26-2019, 08:42 AM
  #8  
Gold Member
Gold Member
 
seafordguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Seaford, VA
Posts: 4,974
Received 830 Likes on 387 Posts
Default

Make sure your boat heater is spark proof....
seafordguy is offline  
Old 10-26-2019, 10:59 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Shipman, IL / Lake of the Ozarks
Posts: 187
Received 33 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

What does the water temp get down to over the winter? Some people just let the lift down a bit so the drive is dipped in the water. The drive Pulls heat from the water to keep everything else above freezing.
Might not be the best idea for salt tho.
Zach F100 is offline  
Old 10-26-2019, 02:35 PM
  #10  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Perdido Key, Madison, NC
Posts: 1,007
Received 308 Likes on 156 Posts
Default

All good suggestions. I even thought about dropping the drives in the water during the cold snaps...
Thanks again, Forum Friends!
F14A water jet is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.