With the current cold conditions should I check on the boat, such as freezing in the bilge? The guy I bought off, said he went and chipped it once a month. I'm a new boat owner and learning as I go. It is shrunk wrapped. Thanks.
- Status
Use RV anti -freeze
I always put some RV anti-freeze in all the places water can settle such as bilge, water holding tank, and waste holding tanks. I pump and flush everything in the spring. Good Luck
I always put some RV anti-freeze in all the places water can settle such as bilge, water holding tank, and waste holding tanks. I pump and flush everything in the spring. Good Luck
What size boat?
If you have an inboard engine and you didn't winterize it, you could have some serious problems coming your way. Freezing in the bilge could damage your bilge pump, among other things. The cost of RV/marine antifreeze is so cheap, and the consequences so expensive, I don't know why anyone would gamble.
If you have an inboard engine and you didn't winterize it, you could have some serious problems coming your way. Freezing in the bilge could damage your bilge pump, among other things. The cost of RV/marine antifreeze is so cheap, and the consequences so expensive, I don't know why anyone would gamble.
Freeze Protection
Even when you know your boat well, it's probably a good idea to visit it once a month in the off season to see what's happening. Storm damage to tarps, boat covers or even shrink wrap could allow water into the bilges or freeze up the cockpit drains and create problems. I like to check the stands supporting my boat; make sure they're chained together and are sitting on plywood pads, not punching thru the asphalt. I also look at adjacent boats if their tarps, sails, sail covers, bimini's etc, are flapping around. Obviously it's way too late now if you needed to drain or winterize the water systems, head and inboard engine systems. Be aware that the cheaper 'pink'RV antifreeze may turn to slush at 0 degrees, so check the actual labels for the freezing point. I'd use the better -60 0r -100 degree rated antifreeze in the sea water intake, water pump and heat exchanger of the engine and check the permanent antifreeze side with an antifreeze tester as well.
Even when you know your boat well, it's probably a good idea to visit it once a month in the off season to see what's happening. Storm damage to tarps, boat covers or even shrink wrap could allow water into the bilges or freeze up the cockpit drains and create problems. I like to check the stands supporting my boat; make sure they're chained together and are sitting on plywood pads, not punching thru the asphalt. I also look at adjacent boats if their tarps, sails, sail covers, bimini's etc, are flapping around. Obviously it's way too late now if you needed to drain or winterize the water systems, head and inboard engine systems. Be aware that the cheaper 'pink'RV antifreeze may turn to slush at 0 degrees, so check the actual labels for the freezing point. I'd use the better -60 0r -100 degree rated antifreeze in the sea water intake, water pump and heat exchanger of the engine and check the permanent antifreeze side with an antifreeze tester as well.
Shrink Wrap?
I hope you don't have any water if you are shrink wrapped. That should shed all water if it is intact. Still check the boat occasionally. You never know what could be happenning. Besides, a little talk with the little lady is always comforting in mid-winter.
I hope you don't have any water if you are shrink wrapped. That should shed all water if it is intact. Still check the boat occasionally. You never know what could be happenning. Besides, a little talk with the little lady is always comforting in mid-winter.
Thanks
Thanks for the responses. I did use the good antifreeze stuff and I did winterize the engine and all drains, bilges, heads, etc. Just was worrying if I should be chipping any ice of the bilge. Even with the anti-freeze in it I thought if it pumped it out and then water ran down the mast and into the bilge, it might freeze in the on position(pump) and then would not pump anything out all winter. Not that I get a lot, it seems like an inch or two now and then.
Thanks for the responses. I did use the good antifreeze stuff and I did winterize the engine and all drains, bilges, heads, etc. Just was worrying if I should be chipping any ice of the bilge. Even with the anti-freeze in it I thought if it pumped it out and then water ran down the mast and into the bilge, it might freeze in the on position(pump) and then would not pump anything out all winter. Not that I get a lot, it seems like an inch or two now and then.
you should be OK, then
As long as you put some antifreeze in the bilge. Actually, antifreeze is a misnomer, because the liquid will freeze, it just doesn't freeze solid, it stays slushy.
As long as you put some antifreeze in the bilge. Actually, antifreeze is a misnomer, because the liquid will freeze, it just doesn't freeze solid, it stays slushy.
- Status