Winter Fishing

[Florida_Native]

So I just moved to NJ from Washington state. In the process I picked up a bigger boat but don't have any experience with winters and a motor I can't just move into a warm area.  

 

I had the boat winterized but wonder if this is necessary it I want to use it during the winter. How often would I need to use it to keep any fuel from gelling? 

 

Also what about water freezing in the engine? Is trimming it up and then down good enough to stop this?

 

Finally, if i choose to just wait until warmer weather, when is it safe to put it back in the water. I will be storing the boat on a trailer. I would think the weather would need to be cooler than 32 to freeze water in an engine but no clue how much colder?

 

Thanks for the help!

[1957Buck]

Seems this has been ignored my days with 75 hp Evinrude 18 ft boat that were stored outside in all weather conditions to well below freezing. The Engine self-drained water a simple dry turnover will dispel even more. in the 8 years never did I mist oil into cylinders. Myth. as far as was concerned The thought of putting a cover over the outboard that was designed to be out in all weather conditions is fruitless and in most case causes condensation on and in the cover.   Now that an opinion has been made maybe others will join in 

[1563621]

Get it winterized.

[GhostBear]

Well? That depends on what outboard you have on it, but if you leave it in the full down position, it'll self drain. A Yamaha F350 V-8 will not and freezing water will blow out the top end. That said, you are fine if your still running the engine, just treat the fuel against ethanol, if you have sea water, or fresh water pumps on it, or a head, well? They are most likely shot if you haven't winterized the water systems.