i AM CONCERNED ABOUT WATER LEAKING INTO THE BILGE DURING WINTER HERE IN OHIO. WOULD PURING A COUPLE OF GALLONS OF ANTI-FREEZE IN THE BILGE DO ANY POTENTIAL HARM OVER THE WINTER?
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Steve O.
no harm
I always put some anti freeze into the bilge during winterizing, although 2 gallons seems like a lot. I only use about 1/2 gal. but I don't get any water intrusion during the winter.
I always put some anti freeze into the bilge during winterizing, although 2 gallons seems like a lot. I only use about 1/2 gal. but I don't get any water intrusion during the winter.
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Ed Schenck
Bilge freezing.
As a neighbor(Canton) I felt compelled to write. I assume your boat is out of the water and covered. Also that it is less than 26 feet. Then Steve is correct, two gallons should be plenty. You don't say whether it is -50 or -100 anti-freeze though. The -100 can dilute quite a bit and still provide protection. We are talking about the pink stuff here, nontoxic(see link). But if your boat takes in rain water you will need to check it regularly, sponge it dry, and add more anti-freeze.
As a neighbor(Canton) I felt compelled to write. I assume your boat is out of the water and covered. Also that it is less than 26 feet. Then Steve is correct, two gallons should be plenty. You don't say whether it is -50 or -100 anti-freeze though. The -100 can dilute quite a bit and still provide protection. We are talking about the pink stuff here, nontoxic(see link). But if your boat takes in rain water you will need to check it regularly, sponge it dry, and add more anti-freeze.
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JERRY WHITE
NO, NO, NO.
Jerry: That stuff is very toxic. You should be using the RV type antifreeze. It only costs about $2.99/gal. Somtimes cheaper.
Jerry: That stuff is very toxic. You should be using the RV type antifreeze. It only costs about $2.99/gal. Somtimes cheaper.
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Jeff Bacon
Myth -50 and -100 antifreeze
Jerry: Agree with Steve....only use the RV stuff. $1.89 at West Marine. Next. The -50 degree protection is only in metal (engines) or copper pipes. If you are trying to protect pvc or other plastic pipes the freeze protection is only around 12 degrees, although the burst protection is a bit lower than that.(This stuff is on the label of the Pink RV anti freeze) I do not know if being in the bilge translates to plastic pipe protection or not. Also, since the Pink stuff is used full strength, you may get very little bilge protection after it is diluted by water that has leaked into the bilge. Finally, does it really mater that much ?? Since there is plenty of expansion room in the bilge ?? DOn't really know the answer to that one. Maybe Ed Shenck could visit each of our boats once a month and let us know if there is water actually in the bilge. Jeff
Jerry: Agree with Steve....only use the RV stuff. $1.89 at West Marine. Next. The -50 degree protection is only in metal (engines) or copper pipes. If you are trying to protect pvc or other plastic pipes the freeze protection is only around 12 degrees, although the burst protection is a bit lower than that.(This stuff is on the label of the Pink RV anti freeze) I do not know if being in the bilge translates to plastic pipe protection or not. Also, since the Pink stuff is used full strength, you may get very little bilge protection after it is diluted by water that has leaked into the bilge. Finally, does it really mater that much ?? Since there is plenty of expansion room in the bilge ?? DOn't really know the answer to that one. Maybe Ed Shenck could visit each of our boats once a month and let us know if there is water actually in the bilge. Jeff
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Vic
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Claude L.-Auger
Remove the bilge pump
I am assuming also that your boat is out of the water and covered. If so, that should take care of rainwater or snow melt. Your worse problem is then freezing. So remove the pump and put it where it's dry. Whatever little water gets in the bilge mixed with your antifreeze will never freeze hard enough to create damage to the boat because it has expension room. That's what I do and never had a problem. BTW my boat went on the hard yesterday and will go through temperatures in the 30 below ! Good Luck
I am assuming also that your boat is out of the water and covered. If so, that should take care of rainwater or snow melt. Your worse problem is then freezing. So remove the pump and put it where it's dry. Whatever little water gets in the bilge mixed with your antifreeze will never freeze hard enough to create damage to the boat because it has expension room. That's what I do and never had a problem. BTW my boat went on the hard yesterday and will go through temperatures in the 30 below ! Good Luck
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