Am I ready for my first PNW winter aboard?

Jared1048 · Oct 12, 2012

Soul Surfer said:
I'm a first time owner and first time liveaboard of one month. Loving it so far, but here come's the cold . I have a few concerns?

When hooked up to shore power is it ok to leave all you systems on? water pressure? battery charger?

Is it ok to leave the diesel heater on?

Should i plug in a small space heater instead?

Why is there water in the engine compartment?

Does anything need to be winterized?

Those 4 plastic pieces in the companionway have got to go!

Is it normal for the compartment by the galley table to keep filling up with water?

I found out the aft cabin porthole and head porthole leak.

Like I said first sailboat and first time living on a boat. I have tons to learn, but any help or tips will be much appreciated.

Hello,

I just moved onto my boat about 5 months ago and love it also.

I turn everything off while im not in the boat. I do leave it plugged in to shore power though to keep a space heater on that is plugged into a temp control that is set at 65 degree's to keep it somewhat warmer and avoid it getting down into freezing temps. I also leave a dehumidifier running. I kick on the diesel heater if its really cold and I want it to be warmed up quicker. It keeps the temperature control more stable than the portable heater. Since i'm on the boat and use it year round i dont winterize anything. I'm on it at night so its all warm.

What marina you at? Shilshole?

Cheers,
-Jared

waternwaves · Oct 12, 2012

well

I'm a first time owner and first time liveaboard of one month. Loving it so far, but here come's the cold . I have a few concerns?

When hooked up to shore power is it ok to leave all you systems on? water pressure? battery charger? WATER OFF, Good BATTERY CHARGER ON

Is it ok to leave the diesel heater on?
NO

Should i plug in a small space heater instead?
YES , CAframo marine heater

Why is there water in the engine compartment?
Because there is a leak

Does anything need to be winterized?
The deck surfaces need to be checked closely, as well as portlights, and boots, sea hood, stanchions, rub rail, mast foot, compression post, bilge, and any other location going through the deck

Those 4 plastic pieces in the companionway have got to go!

Is it normal for the compartment by the galley table to keep filling up with water?
NO

I found out the aft cabin porthole and head porthole leak.
new portlights or at least lenses are available here, as are the seals

Like I said first sailboat and first time living on a boat. I have tons to learn, but any help or tips will be much appreciated
Enjoy, you have nine months of indoor time to work on it now.

MLampner · Oct 14, 2012

Not familiar enough with your model so this may all be irrelevant. On my 30 I have had two hard to find leaks in the engine compartment beyond the obvious such as the stuffing boxes for the prop and the rudder and yes the rudder is hard to see and worse to service on my boat. But assuming it is none of these sources. Check raw water hose for cooling in my case there was a razor thin slit. Would not leak with the engine on as the pump suction if anything drew in air but once the engine was off it would drip constantly causing the bilge pump to run about every 45 minutes. Even with the seacock closed it will drip till the level of water in the hose falls below the slit.

Second if your travel is right in front of the companionway on the bridge deck check its bolts. Even if they were tight at the beginning of a season and the bedding good the tension on the rail can equal several 1000 pounds and open up leaks.

Another common issue check hoses for cockpit scuppers. A colored source of water can be helpful pour a little anywhere you suspect and see if you see the color in the bilge. Try only one area with a given color and wait several days to see if it shows. There are many small dead ends under the liners and it can take a while till water travels to a point it is visible.

Dave Groshong · Oct 14, 2012

I lived onboard for many years at Shilshole, only had snow accumulation twice, melted the next day. Don't leave any heat on, too dangerous. I ran 2 of these, one in the V-berth and one by the engine:

http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?922

waternwaves · Oct 15, 2012

Soul

Look for corrosion around all of the water line fittings between the throughhull and and the exhause elbow. Since you did not find any antifreeze, it has to be coming from the raw water side. . Place a section of a cut up diaper taped to the hull below the propshaft, absorbent side down, above the engine sump,
look on the water strainer for corrossion, look for corrosion lines on exhause elbows.

IF you find rust ion a surface in n the engine compartment water is in there.

MrSteve007 · Nov 16, 2012

Soul Surfer said:
I'm a first time owner and first time liveaboard of one month. Loving it so far, but here come's the cold . I have a few concerns?

Is it normal for the compartment by the galley table to keep filling up with water?

I'm not sure how it is on your boat, but on my 326, my icebox and shower both drain into the main bilge, below the galley table. It surprised me too, but after looking in the specs/manual, that's how it came from the factory.

Am I ready for my first PNW winter aboard?

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SBO Staff

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