inboards and freeze protection

[fredetzel]

Quick question how cold can it get before damage happens to a un winterized fresh water cooled engine I herd low 20's . I cant do the light bulb trick no ac power.
Thanks
Fred

[Miles Offshore]

as long as you have antifreeze in the block i wouldnt worry too much about it- if you are you can close off your seacock and drain your strainer and saltwter manifild lines. I never bother with mine and dont have any problems- although your prolly getting a little colder up there than we are- if you are really worried about it you can get a couple bottles of the 50/50 antifreeze stuff and run your intake line into it and suck it into your saltwater side. Again unless its going to be teens for extended period of time I wouldnt worry too much about it- jmho

[bobbert]

If you are on the beach I would suggest you feed 50/50 antifreeze at the inlet stainer and through the salt water side of the block etc. Also buy one of those glass annti-freeze testers and check the fresh water side to make sure to antifreeze has not been diluted.
No advice if the boat is to remain in the water over the winter. Would just be to stress full for me.

[MasterBaiter]

Mine stays in until around the 20th every year. I figure as long as it is in the water the bilge will be warmer than the air. Last year I had to shovel the snow out of it and used the boat like an ice breaker to take it out. No light bulbs, nothing different.

I'm in NJ, maybe a little colder than you. If it were to be in longer, I would do things differently.

[fredetzel]

Just what I wanted to hear on Wednesday she gets the 50/50 anti freeze on the sea water side.Thanks for all the input the info on this site is second to none.
Thanks
Fred