Winterization

[ChangsinLattitudes]

Hello all,

Had a question come up. I recently decided to keep my boat in the slip for the winter vs pulling it out. They've got bubblers, folks that do daily dock walks, etc.

I was planning on pulling my 2 deep cycle lead acid batteries out and putting them on a charger indoors. But then I got to thinking, if I did that I'd have no bilge pump protection. Talked to the marina they said they could keep me on metered shore power for the winter, top off the batts every 3-4 weeks via a Guest 5/5 charger. So I guess that could work. But THEN, I got to thinking, will any residual water in my bilge freeze, nullifying any efforts from the bilge pump to rid the excess water?
So I just wanted to hear some opinions on what has worked or not worked for folks in a similar situation.

Thanks!

 

[Bad Obsession]

I kept my old Catalina 30 in a slip year round on the Potomac River.

One trick that I did was that I use to put the environmentally friendly antifreeze in my bilge. I would check the boat every few weeks to a month and I would simply pour a little more anti-freeze into the boat. It never froze on me!

You want your bilge pump to be there and working.

Having the batteries kept up on charge is a good thing. Also, before you do this top off the fluids in your battery.

 

[ChangsinLattitudes]

Great idea on the anti-freeze bilge. I'll do that.

Thanks!

 

[kappykaplan]

How often does the water in the marina freeze? My boat did just fine in last week's 22 degree F freeze - the water it was in was near 50 degrees.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Kappykaplan has a point. The water in the bilge will stay warmer. Remember that it is below the water. The water is warmer a few feet below the surface and the water warms the keel which has bolts that goes up into the bilge.

Either way, the antifreeze is cheap insurance.

 

[thinwater]

No, bilge water will not freeze.

However, be SURE the bilge pump has niether check valve nor low spot in the line; the hosewill freeze and must be free to drain dry.

 

[ChangsinLattitudes]

I can visually look for a low spot on the line...but how do I tell if there is a check valve?
What would be the danger with one?

Thanks

 

[Bad Obsession]

The check valve will keep the water from coming back into the bilge but it will be a freeze point if water stays there. It would then clog the hose and cause major issues.

You shouldn't have a check valve in a bilge pump system. The check valve can also cause other issues, like clogs.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I can visually look for a low spot on the line...but how do I tell if there is a check valve?
What would be the danger with one?

Thanks

Check valves are usually mistakenly put on the outflow of bilge pumps. It would be a metal or PVC component in between the pump and the thru-hull. Typically it is within a couple of inches of the pump.

If you have one, remove it and have the hose connected directly to the bilge pump.

 

[ChangsinLattitudes]

Ok thanks for all the insight.

I'll check downstream of the pump.
I know there is a filter before the bilge pump but dont think it does double duty as a check valve.

 

[ChangsinLattitudes]

Also any need to pump some anti freeze through the manual bilge pump? Just realized I havnt done that yet.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Ok thanks for all the insight. I'll check downstream of the pump. I know there is a filter before the bilge pump but dont think it does double duty as a check valve.

A filter before the bilge pump? Sounds off unless you have a diaphragm pump. Do you have any pictures?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Also any need to pump some anti freeze through the manual bilge pump? Just realized I havnt done that yet.

I don't use my manual bilge pump so the first year I had the boat I took it apart and blew the lines out. If you use it then it could have water that would freeze and break the line or fittings. So antifreeze would be a good idea.

 

[ChangsinLattitudes]

Gottcha, thanks.


No, no picture of the filter. It makes sense to me at least....why pump all that crud in the bilge straight through a pump? Ive cleaned it out once before when it was dirty & suction suffered.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

 

[PGUTIERREZ]

Rum to winterized potable water system: drop water level in tank to just about empty. Add two liters cheap rum. Run water pump at sink, keep tasting until you taste rum. Alcohol in rum will prevent lines from freezing, you will avoid having to purge in spring to get rid of nasty "eco" friendly antifreeze. Also helps improve your attitude during winterization day. . .

 

[ChangsinLattitudes]

Haha. I like it.
Then in the spring instead of running your faucet until no more pink froth comes out, you simply put a cup of ginger beer under the stream of rum and see how many drinks it takes till no more dark and stormy's. If you can remember.