Hot Water Tank Winterizing

[Walter Lucas]

I hate to think about it but, those of us in the frozen north are thinking about haul out.That means winterizing the tanks amongst other things.In the P42 the hot water tank is neaty stowed below the main cabin seating with access that could only have been thought out by someone who never had to drain the thing.Has anyone rigged up a permanent draining arrangement that, by closing a valve and opening another allow the hot water tank to be taken out of the system and completely drained?Each year I think I've solved the problem to discover that I have managed to consume an additional gallon or so of antifreeze.The RV people have a great little bypass kit that doesn't fit my tank arrangement. I'm sure if one could be conjured up for the boating industry those of us who could use it would line up.Any ideas?

 

[Chuck Vincent]

P42 Winter Water Heater Setup

I would think the the engine fluids that pass through the water heater to heat up the water with engine heat would be ok due to the anti-freez. As far the the water, pump as much of the cold water out of the tanks as you can. Then while the boat is on the rack, pull the hose out of the transom shower and let it hang as far as it will go. Then turn on the hot water only, kick on the pump till it runs dry. Turn the pump and continue to let the hose hang for a while to insure it has all that will come out of the hot water side.What do you think about that idea? Hum........, might work hun?Chuck, its late for me and time to hit the sack.

 

[Paul Akers]

Here's What I Do

On my 37 here in Massachusetts, I disconnect the input and output lines and let the unit drain out into the bilge. Then I vacuum the bilge water.If you connect the input & output lines to one another (effectively taking the heater out of the loop) you can pump the pink stuff through the system and not lose any into the heater. Works fine for me.Gosh, I hate talking about winterizing.

 

[Willy Gregoir]

Winterizing your watersystem

I live in Belgium. It's rather cold here during the winter. I always empty the watersystem by pumping it dry. Then I pour a few liter (3 or 4) off cheap drinking alcohol in the tank and pump it out again. Doing so I have alcohol with water in the hoses and the pumps. This mixture doesn't freeze .In the spring I rinse the system with clean water and that's it.Happy sailing Willy GregoirS/v JASON

 

[Rich Stidger]

Blow it out

I have a different sailboat model, but I had success with this and previous boats by simply pumping all of the water tanks dry with the electric pump. Then disconnect the outlet of the pump and using an adapter (if necessary) attach the outlet line to an ordinary dinghy air pump (low pressure, lots of volume). Operate the pump while someone else opens each faucet outlet in turn and blow out all of the water. I have a drain on the bottom of my HW tank and I connect a short hose to it and using a drill powered pump, I empty it into a bucket.I use NO pink antifreeze. I have never had a freezing problem (CT & RI location), and in the spring there is nothing to flush out. Save $$ by not buying the antifreeze too! A small amount of water in the bottom of a tank or in a line will not cause a problem. A solidly filled line or tank will burst however. By removing 98% of the water you are safe.Oh, yes, be sure to disconnect the inlet to the electric pump and blow out the water that is remaining in the pump chambers.Reconnect all hoses tightly and youare ready to simply refill in the spring.