When fishing L. Powell in the winter with night time freezing temps what precautions do you take for your outboard motor?
Are they different if you leave the boat in the water or on the trailer?
Thanks
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Leaving it in the water won't hurt it, the level of water in the lower unit matches the level of the lake and won't freeze.
If out of the water, lower the motor to vertical to drain. Then pull the safety lanyard so motor turns but won't start.
Then bump the key to turn motor 1-2 seconds to empty out the impeller and raise the motor for the night.
Go fish then repeat.
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If you are able to leave your boat in the water, that's the best way to insure against any damage caused by freezing the water that remains in the lower unit. If you take the boat out of the water, pull up on a steep part of the ramp and lower your outboard all the way down and allow the water to completely drain. I raise mine up once or twice while on the ramp to make sure all the water is drained from the motor.
What Shane says works well also.
Mike
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I've always dropped the motor down while on the ramp, while the livewell and hull are draining. If it will be cold, I'll usually crank it over a few seconds to ensure the impeller is free of water. (Don't Start it out of the water!) A good bit of advice is to not just fire it up in the morning when launching after sitting in freezing temps. Use the trolling motor to get to the docks, and let the water melt away any ice that may have formed before firing it up. It is important to let it warm up completely before hammering down too.
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Thanks for the responses.
A few bass to supplement a winter diet of trout sounds pretty tasty right now.
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all good advice, don't be surprised in the morning if it wont come off the trailer, may need to soak a little to melt the ice on the bunk carpet to hull.
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