Cold Affecting Members?

[Gatordoc]

Sorry, I meant Friendship. I'm so used to just saying "we're going to the island" Sounds like a plan!

You seem like a knowledgeable guy. Let me pick your brain a bit. I am in the process of winterizing my (new to me) 268 Islander. Its an older boat but has twin 2008 Yamaha 150's with about 400 hours on them. I'm about to change the fuel filters that sit on the front of the motors. They appear to have a water sensing wire on the bottom of the screw off bowl. Does the wire need to be disconnected before removing the bowl to get to the filter? How is that done? Do I need a special wrench to remove the bowl? One last question. What should I do with the 3 batteries? Do I need to keep them inside to prevent them from freezing? Keep them on a trickle charger all winter. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

 

[DennisG01]

You seem like a knowledgeable guy. Let me pick your brain a bit. I am in the process of winterizing my (new to me) 268 Islander. Its an older boat but has twin 2008 Yamaha 150's with about 400 hours on them. I'm about to change the fuel filters that sit on the front of the motors. They appear to have a water sensing wire on the bottom of the screw off bowl. Does the wire need to be disconnected before removing the bowl to get to the filter? How is that done? Do I need a special wrench to remove the bowl? One last question. What should I do with the 3 batteries? Do I need to keep them inside to prevent them from freezing? Keep them on a trickle charger all winter. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Well... "seem like" and "in reality" are often two entirely different things!

That little filter is easy peasy. The translucent bowl just unscrews - there is a special tool, but you should be able to do it by hand. Try using work gloves, if needed. If you need a tool, be SUPER careful if you use slip-joint pliers - I think that bowl is crazy expensive... so maybe get the special tool. I've heard that some remove the entire assembly and put it in the freezer to help with removal? Follow the electrical wire - there is a quick disconnect further along the wire. The filter, itself, is just a friction fit piece. If your boat-mounted filter is good, and you keep your fuel quality good, you probably won't need to change the engine-mounted filter all that often. But of course, it can't hurt to do it, either.

The most important thing for the batteries is to have them fully charged. You could just remove the negative cables and let them be - they'll be fine in the spring (assuming good to start with and fully charged). A charged battery won't freeze. But removing them (or running an electrical cord) and keeping them on a smart charger all winter (not just a cheap "trickle charger", as that can still cook 'em) is the best thing you can do for batteries. I have about 8 or 10 of the Battery Minder brand smart chargers - some of them are going on nearly 15 years old, now. I like them because they also "desulphate" the batteries (sulphation is one of the main killers of batteries). I'm sure there are other good brands, too.

 

[Gatordoc]

Well... "seem like" and "in reality" are often two entirely different things!

That little filter is easy peasy. The translucent bowl just unscrews - there is a special tool, but you should be able to do it by hand. Try using work gloves, if needed. If you need a tool, be SUPER careful if you use slip-joint pliers - I think that bowl is crazy expensive... so maybe get the special tool. I've heard that some remove the entire assembly and put it in the freezer to help with removal? Follow the electrical wire - there is a quick disconnect further along the wire. The filter, itself, is just a friction fit piece. If your boat-mounted filter is good, and you keep your fuel quality good, you probably won't need to change the engine-mounted filter all that often. But of course, it can't hurt to do it, either.

The most important thing for the batteries is to have them fully charged. You could just remove the negative cables and let them be - they'll be fine in the spring (assuming good to start with and fully charged). A charged battery won't freeze. But removing them (or running an electrical cord) and keeping them on a smart charger all winter (not just a cheap "trickle charger", as that can still cook 'em) is the best thing you can do for batteries. I have about 8 or 10 of the Battery Minder brand smart chargers - some of them are going on nearly 15 years old, now. I like them because they also "desulphate" the batteries (sulphation is one of the main killers of batteries). I'm sure there are other good brands, too.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I'll get to work on that filter now that I know a little bit more of what i'm doing.

 

[wahoo33417]

I live in SW Florida also and totally agree. I went through my normal winterizing process (tossing a long sleeved Tee in the boat) and there were a few days that compromised my comfort. Thankfully we seem to be coming out the other end of the crisis.

Hey you guys, we got none of that over here on the east coast. Been in the low 90s!. Next time, send some our way. I'm sure I have a long sleeve shirt around here somewhere...

Rob

 

[Gatordoc]

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I'll get to work on that filter now that I know a little bit more of what i'm doing.

One last question, (I promise) do I have to drain the VST? If so, how is that done? I see what I assume is the pink drain line. What do I do with it?