I have been doing it for 20 years with my current boat. I must be doing something right since nothing has froze and busted. Back when it was new, I had to do it more than once a year because we would get the brilliant idea to go boating in the middle of the winter. I only have to do it once a year now. There are some years that with the exception of a week or two, you could have almost got away without draining it since mine is in an enclosed but not heated dock. This year is not one of those.
Just another tip guys...
Make sure your drives are all the way down. Water will puddle in them and freeze and crack the casing. People have a habit of leaving them tilted up so check them.
Seen many cracked cases along the years overhere.... sometimes they just "leak a little oil" then after a while... DONE.
Once a crack forms it just grows everytime the temps change on the case...
Just another tip guys...
Make sure your drives are all the way down. Water will puddle in them and freeze and crack the casing. People have a habit of leaving them tilted up so check them.
Been winterizing my own since '98. Drives always down. Around this time back in '99 we had lows in the -20+ range for a few days. That will definitely expose any flaws in your winterizing methods!! It is amazing how quickly you adapt. Last night I was outdoors around 5 PM and thought to myself, "feels like it has warmed up a bit...not too bad out". The temp was 12 degrees.
Yep all Winterized....mine is in a nice cozy shop but the ice is starting to form around the docks...good thing I have a bubbler going....Up here at home there's some talk of -24F tonight....brrrr....don't think I want to be out driving around.....