To winterise or not

nickpw · 03 November 2016, 09:59

Hi all, does anyone out there have any thoughts on not winterising their engine so we can still take advantage of those lucky days of good weather for an ad hoc trip?

I'm on the Dorset south coast, boat/engine is covered in a standard heavy weight cotton type cover. Engine is a 2 stroke Merc 150 saltwater.

Any advice on preventative measures you can apply instead of winterising to minimise problems greatly received.

If there is a risk of issues by not winterising i wont risk it for the sake of a maybe might get out!

Cheers

Nick

beamishken · 03 November 2016, 10:47

I've never winterised an outboard in 30 odd years and never had a problem
If your planning on using it then as long as you don't trim it up full of water to freeze it should be fine
I guess running it on muffs occasionally to change the fuel in the carbs wouldn't be a bad move if you don't actually get out apart from that should be fine

nickpw · 03 November 2016, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

I've never winterised an outboard in 30 odd years and never had a problem
If your planning on using it then as long as you don't trim it up full of water to freeze it should be fine
I guess running it on muffs occasionally to change the fuel in the carbs wouldn't be a bad move if you don't actually get out apart from that should be fine

Thanks for the reply, no I never trim up and yep good call on running up now and again.

Only picked it up this year after crossing over from sailing so still finding my way & the holes in my wallet after the fuel bills!

Last Tango · 03 November 2016, 17:22

Just a word of caution.....don't try to start it if there's a risk there could be ice in the water pump.
I've stuck the hose from a wallpaper stripper up the prop exhaust to heat the lower unit so as I can start it in sub zero temps......but check the tell-tail!
in 45 years I've never done anything about the fuel and never had a problem

jeffstevens763@g · 03 November 2016, 18:41

Same here I don't winterise only had bad fuel once in an aux engine but that might have been my fault leaving it too long I now stabilise the fuel every year.