Keeping motor from freezing

[chrisonice]

I'm planning to fish pool 4 next week but do I have to do anything special to the motor to keep it from freezing?..... Thanks

[PerchJerker]

You don't need to do anything special to it while you're on the water, other than maybe making sure you let it get good and warm before running.

When you put it back on the trailer, trim your motor ALL the way down and let the lower unit drain out all the way. In freezing temps I also do this after the motor drains -- hit the kill switch so the motor won't start, then hit the key and let the motor turn over for a second. That helps clear any water that's left in it.

The other thing to pay attention to is water in the livewell, baitwell, plumbing lines, etc. You don't want the lines to freeze and burst. You also need to watch water in the bilge, but the law now requires you to drain the bilge before you leave the access.