Svenska IF-båtförbundets forum

Hello Svensk båtägare!
I'm the owner of an IF boot with an outboard motor in well (Mercury 9 HP). I leave in Berlin and I would like to leave my boat in water during the wintertime. I already ask many people and they all agree that the boot hull should not be a problem when the lac freezes, but nobody could tell what happens with the motor.

Most IF boot owner in Berlin have outboard motor hanging outside, so they just take the motor home or purge any water left inside.
On my boot I cannot remove the motor (or at least not easily), so if there is any risk of damage to the motor in subzero temperatures, I guess I will have to take the whole boot out of the water.

What is the meaning of Swedish IF boot owners (they surely must be used to freezing temperatures)?
Any information on how to "winterize" an IF Boot?

Thank you in advance

You should reconsider to leave the motor on the boat. The motor needs annual service, which cannot be performed if you leave boat and motor inhe water.

Anyhow you have to assure that there i no water left in the cooling system.

I think I recall there is something written in the motor manual regarding winter use. I think it says tilt the motor up and let all water out.

To assure that the motor is empty from water, in my opinion, it should be hanging vertically and you should, to be sure, pull the starter several times with no ignition and petrol.

And prior to this, run the carburator and fuel pump out of petrol, because any remaining old petrol may make starting problems next spring. Also use up the remaining petrol in the tank in your car.

As you have the motor in the motor well, you cannot easily lift the motor out of the water to let all water drain out. I think you'll risk water freezing inside the motor.

The best solution is probably to remove the motor from the well. Then, at least, carefully drain all water from the motor. Or better yet, store it at home.

Thank you all for the tips

I think I will have to thake the boot out of the water this winter. All other solutions are more complicated and would mean a lot of work before and after sailing.

Anyway thank a lot for those useful answer.

Captain Frog

One more comment to this. If your engine needs to be replaced by a new one in the future, you should consider using a smaller one which is easier to handle. I have tried 5 HP, 8 HP and 4 HP engines at my IF. I was usually running 5 HP engine at 3/4 of throttle, 8 HP at 1/2 and 4 HP at full throttle to obtain speed of 5 knots at calm water. I am only giving you some numbers to think about. The optimal engine power depends on how much extra power you want to have for motoring against wind.

Don't leave boat in water. It needs to dry out during winter. Check hull and rudder. Remove mast for inspection and motor for service. Yours sincerely Martin


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