what antifreeze are you guys
useing on the motors.

I use plain old ethylene glycol..the green stuff.

can,t use ethylene glycol in the marina
e.p.a rule can,t get it on the ground
or in the water..

With all due respect; PLEASE do NOT use automotive type antifreeze in your boat for winterizing! It's poison! Most marine stores sell red or blue "RV" antifreeze for engine and plumbing, that are not harmful to the environment. I'm no tree hugger-I have a gas guzzling power boat afterall- but if I ever see any boater dumping glycol antifreeze into the water at spring launch, I will inform the proper authorities immediately.

.......is the fact that animals, dogs in particular, like the automotive stuff, and it is NOT a good thing to be around a dog that is dying slowly due to liver failure, after drinking the stuff. I would not use it anywhere on our farm, nor do I use ANY other chemicals like "Roundup" or anything, due to not wanting it to be absorbed through paws, or eaten. Automotive antifreeze will kill a dog.

Regards,

Serious Dog Lovers Paul & Janet

Paul, I type so slow that I didn't get around to the safety of our four legged friends... using glycol is simply irresponsible boating.

Nobody said anything about winterizing...(whatever that is?) I've heard about that being done somewhere.

I use it for coolant in a closed system..how's it gonna get on the ground?

I suppose I just assumed this was a winterizing thread, as it is haul-out time(ish)up here on the Great Lakes.

This thread is worth a chuckle, and I appreciate the tone, so thanks to everyone.

There is quite a big difference in boating from the Great Lakes to the Gulf!

The comments about antifreeze on tarmac are valid, where-ever you are, and whether you are working on a MF-135, a car, or boat. That glycol antifreeze is really bad for our four legged friends. If it's in the motor, hey, not a problem.

The way I winterize here in Tennessee is to go down to the marina, hop aboard, and go to the liquor cabinet and fix a drink. The boat stays in the water all year long, and we are right on the line where this is possible. The most ice we have seen in twenty years is about 3" thick on our harbor, and the River has not frozen in modern times.

Naturally, I keep the clamshells plugged with sponges, and the valence around the aft deck is filled with mattress foam to keep things warm in the bilge during sub freezing temps.

As for the runabout, I installed a valve that allows me to suck antifreeze through the motor and I'll run it through a couple times to be sure it is mixed with water pockets and also becuase it's fun to do it. The antifreeze i use for this is the non toxic kind, because I have to collect what blows out the tailpipes and a little could get away. Once it blows through, I'll collect it and run it back through again. Since we have four dogs, we're extra careful, and being careful for us starts with using the non toxic stuff.

Regards,

Paul