2GM20 - How quickly does it freeze?

[Bedouin]

So I am planning to haul out the first week of December. But we have a cold snap in progress here on the Chesapeake, and I'm very worried. It's 8:45am as I type this in DC with my boat 45 minutes away in Deale, MD. It's 25 degrees outside and won't get above 36 today.

My question is, how easily does a Yanmar 2GM20 freeze? I'm planning to winterize today and just have to wait til the admiral wakes up. But what are the chances of finding a cracked engine when I get to the boat? Does it take weeks of sub-32 temps? Is it "safe" to have endured a single night at 22-25 degrees?

Also, since I can't find any reference in the service manual, does the 2GM20 have freeze plugs?

Thank you very much in advance.

Nico

 

[Hannah Quinn]

My opinion your engine systems are probably fine, your fresh water plumbing for the sinks and holding tank may be questionable. Your H306 is a closed loop cooling system with antifreeze. The salt water in the exchanger, exhaust, etc would most likely need to be a lot colder to freeze in there to cause an engine problem. However, winter is here!

 

[Warren Milberg]

I, too, keep a boat with a Yanmar 2GM20F in Deale, Md. I am also scheduled for haulout the first week of December. Although I have already winterized my boat's engine and water systems, I do not think you have much to worry about in regard to engine damage due to the current cold snap we are experiencing. I also think the possibility of damage is quite low when the surrounding water temperatures are still in the mid-40s. That will have a warming effect on your engine. I believe it would take a number of days of below freezing weather to cause engine damage. Your other fresh water systems on the boat are another issue, however.

 

[thinwater]

As Warren said, with the warm water, this snap is not a concern (I've been in the water all winter in Deale for 25 years). The risk today, as he said, is potable water systems near the ends (transom showers).

I'm glad I winterized those last weekend! Had a nice sail too.

 

[Bedouin]

Thank you all for your feedback. I was at Herrington this afternoon and barely found the boat what with all the water being pushed out of the Bay. I had 2.5 inches left under the keel! Lovely breeze, too!

I ended up changing the oil and filter and then winterizing the raw water portion of the 2GM20F with the pink stuff. All the while I had the heating running, so that worked and will be winterized next weekend along with the waste and fresh water system.

It never occurred to me to check the shower on the transom. It would make a lot of sense that that would be the first to freeze. Then again, I'm not nearly as concerned about that as about the engine. Hopefully it'll all hold up for one more week.

To my fellow sailors in Herrington and the greater Deale metropolitan area - I hope to meet you next season for some libations.

Thanks again and Cheers!

Nico

 

[thinwater]

This may help re. winterizing water and waste systems. A few valves save a lot of time.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2012/10/easier-winterizing.html

 

[Caboteur]

Freeze

Don't worry; every spring we get freezing temperature with the boat in the water... and the water is colder in the spring! You will find that it has to get a lot colder and a lot longer to dause damage. The transom shower is however the most exposed to the cold especially if there is a strong wind from the stern.
Sleep tight.