when does it stop freezing?

jayp603 · 03-31-2008, 08:04 PM

i know ice out is soon, but when does it stop freezing at all? i am anxious to take recomission my boat, but dont want it to freeze after i get water in the engine.

CanisLupusArctos · 03-31-2008, 10:10 PM

The avg. daily low temp in Concord for the month of April is 31 F. It rises to 41 for May.

Last winter we went below freezing for the last time on April 14. This winter has been warmer than last.

It is still not unusual to see a night or two below freezing in May, nor is it unusual to see some snow in May (it happens every few years.)

Many people launch their boats in May, and take out after foliage season ends in October. Between Labor Day and Columbus Day, nights below-freezing are much more common but I haven't heard any horror stories of boats freezing at that time of year.

I would say your greatest hazard from launching too soon after iceout is the Russian Roullette you play with floating/submerged debris which is common right after iceout. During spring the ice is known for grabbing things from the shoreline and letting them go in the middle of the lake where they put holes in hulls. Most people I know like to wait for that stuff to either sink or wash up on shore before they start boating in anything more than a kayak.

Merrymeeting · 04-01-2008, 06:20 AM

Jay,

I worry about the same thing each year with the exposed pipes in our camp. The question is always when to turn on the water.

We've found that Patriots Day weekend (~April 19) is usually safe and haven't had a problem yet.

As for the boat, you would have even less worry. If it is sitting in 38-39 degree water (the norm after iceout), even if the air temp gets very cold for a few hours, you are not going to have a freeze solid enough to damange your engine.

codeman671 · 04-01-2008, 07:39 AM

We put our boats in the day that ice-out is called and never have had an issue. You need an extended amount of time with water in the block at very cold temps to actually freeze and crack anything. Warmer than freezing water temps and only short periods below 32 will not do any damage.

Orion · 04-01-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayp603

i know ice out is soon, but when does it stop freezing at all? i am anxious to take recomission my boat, but dont want it to freeze after i get water in the engine.

Jayp, you didn't specify if you had I/O or outboard. If outboard you have no worries as all the water drains from the block when shut down. If I/O or inboard, Merrymeeting is right on.

VitaBene · 04-01-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayp603

i know ice out is soon, but when does it stop freezing at all? i am anxious to take recomission my boat, but dont want it to freeze after i get water in the engine.

Without getting into crazy safety arguments, there are some who advocate putting a 60 W lightbulb in the engine compartment

Webbsatwinni · 04-01-2008, 05:20 PM

I use a boat safe heater, they are a little pricey, but I got a used one from Ebay. It keeps the engine compartment around 45 degrees.

I used it during the winter for the past few years just as extra insurance from freezing even after I winterized and then at the lake this past fall and it worked great.

http://www.boatsafeheaters.com/

03-31-2008, 08:04 PM	#1
jayp603 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 50 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	when does it stop freezing? i know ice out is soon, but when does it stop freezing at all? i am anxious to take recomission my boat, but dont want it to freeze after i get water in the engine.

03-31-2008, 10:10 PM	#2
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	The avg. daily low temp in Concord for the month of April is 31 F. It rises to 41 for May. Last winter we went below freezing for the last time on April 14. This winter has been warmer than last. It is still not unusual to see a night or two below freezing in May, nor is it unusual to see some snow in May (it happens every few years.) Many people launch their boats in May, and take out after foliage season ends in October. Between Labor Day and Columbus Day, nights below-freezing are much more common but I haven't heard any horror stories of boats freezing at that time of year. I would say your greatest hazard from launching too soon after iceout is the Russian Roullette you play with floating/submerged debris which is common right after iceout. During spring the ice is known for grabbing things from the shoreline and letting them go in the middle of the lake where they put holes in hulls. Most people I know like to wait for that stuff to either sink or wash up on shore before they start boating in anything more than a kayak.

04-01-2008, 06:20 AM	#3
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	Jay, I worry about the same thing each year with the exposed pipes in our camp. The question is always when to turn on the water. We've found that Patriots Day weekend (~April 19) is usually safe and haven't had a problem yet. As for the boat, you would have even less worry. If it is sitting in 38-39 degree water (the norm after iceout), even if the air temp gets very cold for a few hours, you are not going to have a freeze solid enough to damange your engine.

04-01-2008, 07:39 AM	#4
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,481 Thanks: 221 Thanked 810 Times in 486 Posts	We put our boats in the day that ice-out is called and never have had an issue. You need an extended amount of time with water in the block at very cold temps to actually freeze and crack anything. Warmer than freezing water temps and only short periods below 32 will not do any damage.

04-01-2008, 05:20 PM	#7
Webbsatwinni Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lebanon Ct and Rattlesnake Island Since 2007 Posts: 610 Thanks: 180 Thanked 137 Times in 72 Posts	I use a boat safe heater, they are a little pricey, but I got a used one from Ebay. It keeps the engine compartment around 45 degrees. I used it during the winter for the past few years just as extra insurance from freezing even after I winterized and then at the lake this past fall and it worked great. http://www.boatsafeheaters.com/