does anyone know if it's ok to put "side walk salt" down in my bilge. It's raelly cold out and i've got a few inches of ice down there . I'm afraid that it will expand and crack somthing. Also I dont have acess to electricity. hummm
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I wouldn't
I would worry that the salt would get into the cracks and stay there. Corrosion would probably occur on your keel bolts and anything else metal. I would take some hot water with me to the boat (as hot as you can get it) and then add it to the bilge. I would then add some good antifreeze to the water.
I would worry that the salt would get into the cracks and stay there. Corrosion would probably occur on your keel bolts and anything else metal. I would take some hot water with me to the boat (as hot as you can get it) and then add it to the bilge. I would then add some good antifreeze to the water.
Not A Chance
Being from Duluth, I'm sure you've seen what road salt does to cars and pavement. You want that stuff in your boat! I agree, use some warm water and add antifreeze. If you can't get warm water to the boat but have electricity you may be able to heat the ice to melt it - hair dryer, etc. I, for one, will be taking my 25 out for it's maiden voyage this weekend wearing shorts and a tshirt. <g> Good luck. Tony Kriz
Being from Duluth, I'm sure you've seen what road salt does to cars and pavement. You want that stuff in your boat! I agree, use some warm water and add antifreeze. If you can't get warm water to the boat but have electricity you may be able to heat the ice to melt it - hair dryer, etc. I, for one, will be taking my 25 out for it's maiden voyage this weekend wearing shorts and a tshirt. <g> Good luck. Tony Kriz
RV Antifreeze.
John: Just get yourself a thermos of coffee and another couple of hot water. Then stop by the local Kragens or automotive place. They have the 100 degree below RV antifreeze. A gallon of that juice and hot water should melt the ice. The coffee is for you while you wait for the ice to melt. Once you have the antifreeze in the bilge it may get a little slushy but it won't freeze again. Pray for spring!
John: Just get yourself a thermos of coffee and another couple of hot water. Then stop by the local Kragens or automotive place. They have the 100 degree below RV antifreeze. A gallon of that juice and hot water should melt the ice. The coffee is for you while you wait for the ice to melt. Once you have the antifreeze in the bilge it may get a little slushy but it won't freeze again. Pray for spring!
Common problem.
Have this problem every winter due to a keel-stepped mast. Just break up the ice and throw it in the sink or overboard. Then add a gallon or two of the pink stuff. Since mine does not freeze I pump the diluted mixture into the sink then add a gallon. Have to do this about every other month if we have rain or a snow thaw.
Have this problem every winter due to a keel-stepped mast. Just break up the ice and throw it in the sink or overboard. Then add a gallon or two of the pink stuff. Since mine does not freeze I pump the diluted mixture into the sink then add a gallon. Have to do this about every other month if we have rain or a snow thaw.
Do NOT put automotive antifreeze in the bilge!
Or salt. Salt is corrosive...automotive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is a petroleum product that's highly damaging to the rubber parts in pumps, water hose and sanitation hose. Use only non-toxic marine/rv antifreeze in a bilge...or better yet, use a manual pump or shop vac and a sponge and bucket to remove all the water the from the bilge before freezing weather sets in, so there won't be anything in the bilge TO freeze. And check on it between blizzards to see if moisture condensation has put any water back that needs to be pumped out.
Or salt. Salt is corrosive...automotive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is a petroleum product that's highly damaging to the rubber parts in pumps, water hose and sanitation hose. Use only non-toxic marine/rv antifreeze in a bilge...or better yet, use a manual pump or shop vac and a sponge and bucket to remove all the water the from the bilge before freezing weather sets in, so there won't be anything in the bilge TO freeze. And check on it between blizzards to see if moisture condensation has put any water back that needs to be pumped out.
may I quote you?
Peggie: You stated that "automotive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is a petroleum product that's highly damaging to the rubber parts in pumps, WATER HOSES and sanitation hose". What do you recommend that I use in my diesel engine and my automobiles that have these type of hoses?
Peggie: You stated that "automotive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is a petroleum product that's highly damaging to the rubber parts in pumps, WATER HOSES and sanitation hose". What do you recommend that I use in my diesel engine and my automobiles that have these type of hoses?
If you check the specs for hoses, Steve..
You'll see that different hoses are rated for different uses. If you've replaced all your fresh water, sanitation, and bilge pump hoses with engine hoses, then you can use automorive antifreeze in those systems too. Just be sure to replace all the rubber parts in the pumps every spring. Btw...when was the last time you had to winterize there in So Cal?
You'll see that different hoses are rated for different uses. If you've replaced all your fresh water, sanitation, and bilge pump hoses with engine hoses, then you can use automorive antifreeze in those systems too. Just be sure to replace all the rubber parts in the pumps every spring. Btw...when was the last time you had to winterize there in So Cal?
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