Block heaters

[loudsubz]

Anyone keep their boat in the lake untill it's too cold to use safely? I was wondering if you guys use block heaters as a safe guard for the extended overnight lows... Or should I not worry?

[parrothd]

Anyone keep their boat in the lake untill it's too cold to use safely? I was wondering if you guys use block heaters as a safe guard for the extended overnight lows... Or should I not worry?

You planning to use your boat as an ICE breaker? Small side jobs?!?...

[New Guy]

Would you just run the magnetic type? Obviously the inline tank heaters will not work.

[jmvotto]

Anyone keep their boat in the lake untill it's too cold to use safely? I was wondering if you guys use block heaters as a safe guard for the extended overnight lows... Or should I not worry?

how late are you planning. i dont see a hard freeze anytime soon up north.

[BWeber]

Anyone heard of these or tried them?

http://www.wolverineheater.com/product-p/16.htm

I have heard the magnetic block heaters are not effective.

Block mounted heater work by heating the water within the block, which doesn't always exist in a marine engine since its open loop.

[loudsubz]

how late are you planning. i dont see a hard freeze anytime soon up north.

We normally have it out beginning of october but this year we may want to see how far we can extend it. Problem is it sits all week until we are back up on weekends, and if we get a sudden cold spell I rather be safe than sorry. Already talked to Larry @ Indmar about disconnecting the manifold lines and draining the block but wanted to add a heater (if I could) as a fail safe.

I was originally thinking of the magnetic kind but was unaware of how they performed.

[jmvotto]

We normally have it out beginning of october but this year we may want to see how far we can extend it. Problem is it sits all week until we are back up on weekends, and if we get a sudden cold spell I rather be safe than sorry. Already talked to Larry @ Indmar about disconnecting the manifold lines and draining the block but wanted to add a heater (if I could) as a fail safe.

I was originally thinking of the magnetic kind but was unaware of how they performed.

Does it sit on a lift all week?

[loudsubz]

Does it sit on a lift all week?

in the water

[usaski1]

It isn't time to start worrying yet in Texas, but It does get that cold here, some times even drops to the teens. Every year I fret a bit about it, as boat is outside year round and on a lift. Cold nights, I put it in the water. Sometimes thrown a light bulb in the motor hatch. Always worried about my boat going up in flames. Looked at expensive "extreme" heaters and of the like. Also looked at oil pan heaters, but never bought one. Heard they are just as unsafe too. If I kept the clam shell open, but put a oil pan heater on it, would that be safe?

[jmvotto]

in the water

If it sits in the water, it's going to closely track the temps of the water dwn to a certain point. So I think you will be fine.

You can always throw a wool blanket over the engine for safety. It's when the boat is away from the water and the air temp freezes pretty well that you may have a problem.