Winter Storage Question

[ChrisNorton]

So I am finally taking the plunge and leaving my X in the water this winter (Long Island Sound in full salt water). My club has deicing fans, etc. My quandry is this. I never leave my 99 Mercury 50hp Bigfoot down in the water when in my marina (always locked in the up position). This keeps it from getting eaten away by the salt water. However, winter storage requirements say keep it in the down position (easy to do when you are on land.) Now I will winterize it as always but should I leave it up and out of the salt water or down in the water? Each has its problems. In the water it is exposed to the salt corrosion, galvonic corrosion and the possibility of water freezing inside (as I doubt the deicing fans will circulate the water inside my water intakes). Leaving it up goes against manufacturer recommendation and maybe introduces the possibility of rain/snow water being trapped in inlets exposed by being in the up position.

Which is worse?

Has anybody stored their boat in the water in winter in a freezing climate? For reference, two years ago the whole lagoon of salt water froze for a while where I will store it (except for where the deicing fans were blowing of course.)

Thanks,
Chris

[bubba]

Check and change your Zinc plate on the bottom of the motor to protect your electronics. Cover the prop with a heavy plastic bag or 2 where the motor exaust can collect fresh water and freeze in the up position.

[Russ]

I have to ask: Why?

Why would you leave your boat in the water when it's so easy to take it out yourself? Unless you don't have a trailer.
I would be concerned about that thru hull fitting (the only one I have) in the transom that has no shut off valve. If the line froze or cracked the boat would fill up.

I used to keep our Hunter 34 in the water over the winter in New Jersey. Mainly because it was cheaper than hauling it. After one winter when the ice melters failed I decided it wasn't a good idea.

But if you are insistent, then as Bubba mentioned, cover the prop to keep water out and if you can get some antifreeze into that motor I would. My Suzi drains when it's down. While it's up it still has water in the head. Nevertheless, I still put antifreeze into it for good measure.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Chris - have you looked into the option of taking your motor off for the winter?

[daydreamerbob]

Guys:

What is this "Winter Storage" you speak of?

DDB

[Trouts Dream]

Ouch....shiver...shiver....

Don't be looking for sympathy after the hurricanes

[ChrisNorton]

Thanks for the tips. And I envy all you warm weather sailors (of course you are missing out on the amazing experience of 40 degree November sailing days, with 35 degree salt spray in your face. You can't beat it

I actually don't have any through hulls below the water line. I always winterize my water system and drain tubes with the non-toxic antifreeze so they will be covered. It was really the motor that had be concerned. So the consensus is to most certainly leave it in the up position and cover the exhaust ports against accumulating water. I can try to run some antifreze through it right before I run the last gas through it as well.

While I have a trailer, I want to have the boat in the water so I can run late into this season and be ready to go in April (I've never been really good at getting the boat back in until June.) With a newborn now, my available boat work hours have shrunk even more.

Thanks.