Not Winterising

[timboli]

I want to be able to use my boat for those nice crisp sunny flat calm days you occasionally get in winter,I note with dismay that I havent used the boat for a month or so and that there is every chance that there may be similar periods in the winter when I may not use the boat for extended periods.
I called a local dealer and he suggested regularly running the engine on muffs for about 10 minutes to keep the bores coated with oil(4 stroke) and prevent corrosion,but I have a concern over running the engine without load and also is allowing the engine to drain both tilted and down sufficient to drain all the fresh water down to prevent frozen water trapped in the head from causing damage.
Is it better to use a dustbin,put the engine in gear on tickover and add a dash of antifreeze?

[tue]

The best thing you can do is buy a can of Storage seal/fogging oil. Run the engine on muffs or in bin at about 2000rpm and spray the oil through the carb, until the engine dies out. Let the engine drain by leaving it tilted down and if possible store with engine down or cover the prop to stop rain water collecting in gearcase exhast outlet and freezing. If you use the boat just re-aply the fogging oil when you flush out the engine.

The engine will drain fully if left tilted down so there are no freezing worries in the powerhead.

[Rich L]

Originally Posted by tue

The best thing you can do is buy a can of Storage seal/fogging oil. Run the engine on muffs or in bin at about 2000rpm and spray the oil through the carb, until the engine dies out.

Is this a necessity? Am I doing any harm simply running the engine every couple of weeks on muffs?

Thx

[tue]

Not a necessity. Its just saves having to go out and run your engine every couple of weeks when its dark, cold, wet and you can't be arsed .