New boat - worth getting it wet?

[michigator]

Thanks for the great advice, guys. I wouldn't expect anything less!

I've always heard that the fishing gets pretty good in October and November, but I guess this year I will have to find out first hand.

michigator

[Morton]

Git Er Wet Grasshopper !!!
All good advice ....
Otherwise all you have for the winter is "Wax On ... Wax Off".

Morton

[gregk9]

Originally Posted by locomoto

Use it until you need to knock off skim ice at the launch.

[southerncomfort1]

Originally Posted by 1625rebel

Gosh yes, please get it wet. My advice is to drop it into medium or large sized water for that first trip. Put the fishing poles away for 5 hours and get it good and broken in per the manual. Make sure you get as much wide open throttle time as the manual will allow. Doing the first 5 hours all at once assures the engine has consistent temps and seats the rings properly.

Then fish for the remaining break in time (though get some WOT during the next 5-10 hours of engine time). Most outboards recommend changing the oil (if this is a 4 stroke) after 10-15 hours. I would target that 10-15 hours as your winterization oil change. Then you're good to go next spring.

I would do it this way

[Mike7759]

I just picked up a new boat yesterday, taking advantage of year end deals, and you can bet I will be getting this baby wet this weekend and every available day until the water gets hard.

[solangler]

I just got married, ya'll think I should do it, ARE YOU CRAZY? get it in the water today,and again tomorrow, etc, this is the best time of year for fishing, besides, what better time to work out the kinks than the winter months, other than sitting in the boat, what else can you do with it?

[Dogbreath]

Who among us can buy a new package and put it away till "Next Year??"
I think Michigator is just bragging about his will power.......

[Miami Vice]

Since you are putting it into fresh water, it's a no brainer. Go for it.
Now for myself I have to think twice before I get the boat wet in salt water because it takes me 1 1/2 hours to remove the salt from the boat. For me it almost doesn't pay to use it for an hour knowing I will spend more time cleaning it up.
As others have said: Do the proper break in period now, so this way in the spring you are ready for fishing.
Plus now that you are using it you may find that you would like some new goodies for the boat that you can buy over the winter.
Miami Vice

[cousinlll]

Not sure which motor you have, but it's extremely important to ensure your motor is up to operating temps before giving it some throttle in cold water. Yes, seems like a simple thing but....

LLL

[michigator]

Originally Posted by DOGBREATH

Who among us can buy a new package and put it away till "Next Year??"
I think Michigator is just bragging about his will power.......

Haha - no - not at all. Most of all I just want to be sure that I don't damage an expensive new outfit by doing something stupid. I've been using an old 25 hp tiller and have never really worried too much about running in the cold.

Anyway, I plan on getting out as much as possible. There have been a few good suggestions in this thread for operating in cold weather, such as warming up the engine before going WOT and cycling the trim on the motors a few times while on the ramp. Is there anything else that I should keep in mind? Thanks again for all the replies.