I'm thinking of buying a boat with a/c, refrigeration. what do i need to do as far as winterizing it goes?
- Status
AC winterization
After buying the boat you just need to clean out the reefer and leave it opened up. For the A/C just close the thru-hull going to the cooling coil if you are leaving it in the water. If you are hauling it out then leave the thru-hull open and blow air throug the cooling water thru-hull till the system is empty (once on the hard of course).
After buying the boat you just need to clean out the reefer and leave it opened up. For the A/C just close the thru-hull going to the cooling coil if you are leaving it in the water. If you are hauling it out then leave the thru-hull open and blow air throug the cooling water thru-hull till the system is empty (once on the hard of course).
refer - depends on whether it is raw water cooled, or merely electric...if it his water running through it somewhere and the temp will be below freezing for any significant time, you will need to "winterize it"
simply two choices....blow air through it, pushing all water out and then closing the system up...OR pumping a non-toxic antifreeze (pink stuff, vodka, etc) through it and then close the system.
On my 42 it is a fairly aggravating process, what with two heads, two water tanks, holding tank, two air handlers and a fridge that uses raw water. Several gallons of pink stuff and a lot of time draining water down to zero level, add the pink and pump it through to the fartherest spigot, then shut that one off, step back to the next and so on. Even with a "professional" winterize last year I had two water line fittings push off as if frozen....I will try and find several low points in the pressure water system to loosen or remove a joint, just in case.
Then the engine....and on the 42P, the engine/gen thru-hulls are a pain to get to...don't make the mistake the "professional" did and close my Center cockpit scuppers rather than the engine intake.
This year I am doing it myself.....
if the weather never gets below 40 where you are then ignore all the above...
dave
simply two choices....blow air through it, pushing all water out and then closing the system up...OR pumping a non-toxic antifreeze (pink stuff, vodka, etc) through it and then close the system.
On my 42 it is a fairly aggravating process, what with two heads, two water tanks, holding tank, two air handlers and a fridge that uses raw water. Several gallons of pink stuff and a lot of time draining water down to zero level, add the pink and pump it through to the fartherest spigot, then shut that one off, step back to the next and so on. Even with a "professional" winterize last year I had two water line fittings push off as if frozen....I will try and find several low points in the pressure water system to loosen or remove a joint, just in case.
Then the engine....and on the 42P, the engine/gen thru-hulls are a pain to get to...don't make the mistake the "professional" did and close my Center cockpit scuppers rather than the engine intake.
This year I am doing it myself.....
if the weather never gets below 40 where you are then ignore all the above...
dave
Winter
We sail year around here in the PNW and have never winterized. Does not get that cold here. So, if you live around these parts, no need.
Thread
We sail year around here in the PNW and have never winterized. Does not get that cold here. So, if you live around these parts, no need.
Thread
What you need to do is...
If you don't have owners manuals for each component in the various systems, you can download and print most of 'em from the mfrs' websiites. If the system is older than the version on the net, call the mfr to get a copy of the correct manual.
If you're in a climate where anything needs winterizing, the systems that require it are: engine, fresh water, sanitation, heat/ac and any others in which water can sit, freeze, expand and break something.
And when it comes to trying to decide whether to winterize or not...remember that it's very hard to go wrong erring on the side of caution.
Follow mfrs' instructions.
If you don't have owners manuals for each component in the various systems, you can download and print most of 'em from the mfrs' websiites. If the system is older than the version on the net, call the mfr to get a copy of the correct manual.
If you're in a climate where anything needs winterizing, the systems that require it are: engine, fresh water, sanitation, heat/ac and any others in which water can sit, freeze, expand and break something.
And when it comes to trying to decide whether to winterize or not...remember that it's very hard to go wrong erring on the side of caution.
What are you "Thinking" about buying? It seems that the last reason to choose a boat would be how to winterize the reefer. Just curious.
- Status