Winterize on boat lift in Pensacola?
#1
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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
Formula 311 with twin 500 hp big blocks and Bravo drives.
Thanks,
Tom
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Collierville, TN and Pickwick Lake
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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.
#3
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I put a 60 watt bulb in the bilge one time and it kept the engine room toasty
#4
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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.
#5
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I think no need but I have gone the light bulb route myself?
#6
Gold Member
Gold Member
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!
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!
#7
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
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
https://www.currentresults.com/Yearl...emperature.php
#9
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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.
Might not be the best idea for salt tho.