I have an early model Atomic 4 with no thermostat installed. I recently cleared up a long-time overheating issue and now my engine is running nice and cool -- perhaps too cool. So now I'm reading about thermostats.
My question is: How important is it to have the engine running at the proper temperature? For the most part, I just motor to the end of my channel (less than 10 minutes of motoring) and then sail away. Same thing when I'm coming home.
I've also decided to keep my boat in the water this winter, so when I motor out my channel the raw water coming into the boat will be 50 degrees or less.
I think I'll install a thermostat eventually, but given everything I've mentioned above, how urgent is it? Could I damage my engine by sucking up icy cold Chesapeake Bay water, or will it just not run as well?
My question is: How important is it to have the engine running at the proper temperature? For the most part, I just motor to the end of my channel (less than 10 minutes of motoring) and then sail away. Same thing when I'm coming home.
I've also decided to keep my boat in the water this winter, so when I motor out my channel the raw water coming into the boat will be 50 degrees or less.
I think I'll install a thermostat eventually, but given everything I've mentioned above, how urgent is it? Could I damage my engine by sucking up icy cold Chesapeake Bay water, or will it just not run as well?
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