This is my first winter in Seattle. Do we need to drain onboard fresh water tanks in the winter, or is it warm enough not to?
Seattle winterizing
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That kind of depends; is the boat in the water? I lived aboard many years at Shilshole Marina and never winterized, but did run minimal heat 24/7.
I'm at Elliott Bay. Boat's in the water, no heat. We don't get deep freezes here, but I would like to know what Seattle boaters do? Keep water in the system, drain it; I want to be safe but it seems like this climate is on the cusp of the decision.
I am a bit north of Seattle, maybe 20 minutes north of 49 degrees, but I am home grown here with well over 50 winters behind me that I can remember. I have seen the local lakes freeze over for ice skating on at least two of those winters and I have seen my big tub of water at the eaves drain freeze over a couple of times in the last 5 years. We may not get the cold and snow of yesteryear but it can still get cold and wet. Right now my money is on a cold white winter given what is currently happening and the last two winters have included more than the usual amount of storms. I have also seen winters here that were too warm to be labelled winters, they were simply autumn morphing into spring. You never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you and it would be prudent to always prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
The boat will be floating in roughly 45 degree water so even if the air is below freezing things stay fairly "warm" especially below the waterline where the plumbing runs. I've never bothered to drain the tanks and never had a problem. If you're worried about it and don't plan on using the boat over the winter you could easily drain them just to be sure and then start with a fresh tank in the spring.
more of the same
I'm in Gig Harbor a bit south of you. I never drain the tanks. Minimal heat and a couple of dri-z-airs...dont forget biocide and stabilizer tho. never had a problem or mold
-ciao
I'm in Gig Harbor a bit south of you. I never drain the tanks. Minimal heat and a couple of dri-z-airs...dont forget biocide and stabilizer tho. never had a problem or mold
-ciao
20+ Years
I've kept boats in the water for year round use in the Seattle area for over twenty years. Never had a problem. As Miles mentions, the boat will be sitting in roughly 45 degree water - and that heat will keep your systems from deep freeze - if we ever get one.
In over 50 years of living in the region, I can only recall a handful of times when we had very cold (<20F), sustained (>3 days) conditions.
One of the more important aspects of this is having the boat available for year round use! We've sailed on New Years Day more often than I can remember, and we love cruising in the crisp, clear days that sometimes occur between Christmas and New Years. If you don't sail in the winter (fall-winter-spring) in Seattle, you don't sail very often.
Good Luck!
Tim Brogan
April IV C350 #68 Seattle
I've kept boats in the water for year round use in the Seattle area for over twenty years. Never had a problem. As Miles mentions, the boat will be sitting in roughly 45 degree water - and that heat will keep your systems from deep freeze - if we ever get one.
In over 50 years of living in the region, I can only recall a handful of times when we had very cold (<20F), sustained (>3 days) conditions.
One of the more important aspects of this is having the boat available for year round use! We've sailed on New Years Day more often than I can remember, and we love cruising in the crisp, clear days that sometimes occur between Christmas and New Years. If you don't sail in the winter (fall-winter-spring) in Seattle, you don't sail very often.
Good Luck!
Tim Brogan
April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Thanks to all the respondants. I was on L. Mich previously, so this is all good news. I do plan to keep on sailing through the winter, looking forward to it.
Fair winds to you all.
Fair winds to you all.
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