I am new to owning a larger boat and it will be staying in the water all winter. That being said, I am trying to figure out the winterization thing. I think I have the cold water figured out, but why does everyone say to bypass the hot water tank? Should it just be drained? and Why? If I am just running pink in the lines, why not just use air pressure and blow the lines clear? Where does the shower drain? I have not taken the floor apart, but are they usually attached to the vanity drain? Some of my neighbors say that since the engine has salt water in it, it should not freeze (for some reason I don't trust that) being in the water. I intend to winterize the engine, do you just disconnect the seacock (shut off) and put the line in a big bucket of pink stuff? Thanks for the help
New owner needs winterizing help
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Winterizing
I'm sure you'll get more information and advice than you can use. In the interim, check the Boat US link below for the pamphlet they produce on winterizing as it covers most of the common subjects. Although you appear to live in an area (Hampton)where the water probably does not freeze solid, I think you are right to winterize your engine by closing the intake seacock, and putting the hose to the water pump into a bucket of antifreeze and sucking it up and thru the raw water side of the cooling system. Antifreeze is cheap -- a new engine or replaced block is not. Mother Nature offers no guarantees on the weather....
I'm sure you'll get more information and advice than you can use. In the interim, check the Boat US link below for the pamphlet they produce on winterizing as it covers most of the common subjects. Although you appear to live in an area (Hampton)where the water probably does not freeze solid, I think you are right to winterize your engine by closing the intake seacock, and putting the hose to the water pump into a bucket of antifreeze and sucking it up and thru the raw water side of the cooling system. Antifreeze is cheap -- a new engine or replaced block is not. Mother Nature offers no guarantees on the weather....
Reason to drain and bypass the water heater...
The cold water line from the pump enters a water heater at the bottom...the hot water outlet is at the top. So if you don't drain and bypass the water heater, you'd have to completely fill it with antifreeze to get any into the hot water plumbing. That's a LOT of unnecessary antifreeze that you don't need if you drain and bypass. Or you can drain the water heater, blow out all the lines and eliminate the need for any antifreeze. But unless you've done it before and know what to disconnect to make sure you get ALL the air out of the ALL of the plumbing, that can be a bit risky. So you might want to use antifreeze this year...learn how to blow out the system before next winter. The shower either drains into the bilge (more common on maller boats) or into a sump. You'll need to clean the sump and pour the recommended dilution of antifreeze down the shower drain.
The cold water line from the pump enters a water heater at the bottom...the hot water outlet is at the top. So if you don't drain and bypass the water heater, you'd have to completely fill it with antifreeze to get any into the hot water plumbing. That's a LOT of unnecessary antifreeze that you don't need if you drain and bypass. Or you can drain the water heater, blow out all the lines and eliminate the need for any antifreeze. But unless you've done it before and know what to disconnect to make sure you get ALL the air out of the ALL of the plumbing, that can be a bit risky. So you might want to use antifreeze this year...learn how to blow out the system before next winter. The shower either drains into the bilge (more common on maller boats) or into a sump. You'll need to clean the sump and pour the recommended dilution of antifreeze down the shower drain.
Note the Methods You'll Get Here
You'll miss a number of good sailing days if you can't use the engine all winter. Were it me I would certainly be ready to fill the block with antifreeze but would wait to see if it were necessary. I was at Langley a couple of different times and remember winters that did not freeze at all and others were it stayed below freezing for weeks at a time. Hang a couple of light bulbs to keep the temp up and moisture down and Listen to your dock mates to see what they do.
You'll miss a number of good sailing days if you can't use the engine all winter. Were it me I would certainly be ready to fill the block with antifreeze but would wait to see if it were necessary. I was at Langley a couple of different times and remember winters that did not freeze at all and others were it stayed below freezing for weeks at a time. Hang a couple of light bulbs to keep the temp up and moisture down and Listen to your dock mates to see what they do.
Thanks, and feel free to add more info
I have heat, and will use it until the water temp approches 45 degrees (heat pumps don't work below 40 so I have learned) then I will winterize the engine and AC. In the mean time I will drag the water onboard as needed. Thanks for the tips, I have plenty of time to fiddle with it to make sure I get all the water out. I think I will just blow the lines clear.
I have heat, and will use it until the water temp approches 45 degrees (heat pumps don't work below 40 so I have learned) then I will winterize the engine and AC. In the mean time I will drag the water onboard as needed. Thanks for the tips, I have plenty of time to fiddle with it to make sure I get all the water out. I think I will just blow the lines clear.
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