I need some help in understanding exactly what is involved in "de-winterizing" a boat (I have a 175 BR 2004). I live in central New Jersey, and we've had a really mild winter. The forecast for the next 10 days is daytime temps in the 60's and nighttime temps in the 40's. So, I am thinking about de-winterizing the boat this week or next week and starting the boating season a bit early. The traditional "frost date" for planting gardens around here is around May 10 or 15. This will be my second season with the boat, and I've had in winterized by a local mechanic and will have him dewinterize it as well. So here are my "newbie" questions.
1. So, what exactly do they do when a boat is "dewinterized"? I know he will change the fluids, but what is done that could allow the boat to be damaged by freezing temperatures?
2. So would dewinterizing before the traditional "frost" date be asking for trouble? If we suddenly had a cold spell in the last weeks of April, what is the potential damage to the boat and what could I do to prevent it? The boat will be on a trailer in my driveway and won't fit in my garage, unfortunately.
Thanks in advance for helping me understand what exactly is involved in winterizing and dewinterizing.
Kent
1. So, what exactly do they do when a boat is "dewinterized"? I know he will change the fluids, but what is done that could allow the boat to be damaged by freezing temperatures?
2. So would dewinterizing before the traditional "frost" date be asking for trouble? If we suddenly had a cold spell in the last weeks of April, what is the potential damage to the boat and what could I do to prevent it? The boat will be on a trailer in my driveway and won't fit in my garage, unfortunately.
Thanks in advance for helping me understand what exactly is involved in winterizing and dewinterizing.
Kent
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