Keeping your outboard motor perfectly maintained will help extend the lifespan of your machine by a substantial margin. A common issue that many anglers run into during winter is that their outboard motor will freeze over. This issue can be quite annoying when you don’t know how to protect the outboard motor from weather conditions. Luckily, the methods for keeping an outboard motor from freezing are not that difficult to manage. So, if you’re not sure about how to keep an outboard motor from freezing, the following list of methods should help you keep the motor in perfect shape.
How To Keep an Outboard Motor from Freezing?
1. Drain Water
Excess water in your outboard motor is the primary reason why you have to struggle with the freezing problem. So, if you don’t focus on removing all the water from the outboard motor after taking the boat out of the lake, then that is likely why your outboard motor keeps freezing. Luckily, you can overcome the freezing issue by just managing the amount of water in your motor.
All you have to do is take your tailored boat to a level parking space. Once the boat and the motor are completely parked, you can use the controls on the outboard motor to trim it down to the engaged position. When you bring the outboard motor down to the straight position, a lot of water will come out of the motor. Now, you just have to keep the motor in this position for a few minutes to allow all the water to come out.
Several experts recommend users repeat this process multiple times to make sure that there is minimal moisture in the motor. Once all the water is removed, the chances of your outboard motor freezing over drop down by a substantial margin. So, make sure to empty the outboard motor by removing all the water.
2. Use Heated Cover
If the conditions in your region are extremely cold and you are sure that there is no water in the outboard motor, then you should look towards other methods of keeping the motor warm. Ideally, purchasing a heated cover is one of the most reliable options that are available to anglers. You won’t have to spend too much money on this accessory, and it will protect your motor throughout the winter.
The best thing here is that you can quickly put the outboard cover on the motor. You don’t have to follow any extensive procedures while following this troubleshooting method. So, make use of a heated cover when you’re trying to keep an outboard motor from freezing over in winter.
With that said, you should always make sure to drain out the water before putting the cover on the motor. That way, it will be easier to maintain the efficiency of your setup. Plus, the water won’t freeze over when you take out the motor in the next cycle. So, in all situations, starting with water drainage is your best bet.
3. Use Engine Heaters
There is a wide range of bilge heaters available in the market that can protect your engine from this issue. In most situations, you won’t have to spend more than a few hundred dollars to source a bilge heater. However, if you have a massive boat, then you should look towards bigger units that can cost around a thousand bucks. So, make sure to consult an expert and pick the perfect bilge heater for your boat.
After the installation of the bilge heater, you won’t have to worry about the freezing issue as the water won’t stay in the unit. Luckily, this heater is widely available across all equipment stores. Similarly, you can use online platforms to make a purchase of these heaters. Then your freezing problems will be fixed completely.
All in all, these three methods should help you keep your unit in perfect condition. It is common knowledge that many boats suffer in the winter season. If you try to save some money on these products, then you will end up paying thousands in the form of repairing costs. So, make sure to choose the appropriate fix for your boat and protect your motor from freezing over in the winter cycle.