Wet Storage Winterizing

[Spanish Dutchman]

This is my first year keeping my boat in the water for the winter and I'm looking for some advise from those who have the experience preparing for wet winter storage.

I'm in the northeast US.

I ran about 3 gallons propylene glycol through my Yanmar 2GM by connecting the supply to the raw water intake and changed the oil.

Removed one battery and plan to keep the other battery on a battery tender.

Please advise on any other suggestions.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

You didn't mention toilets, water heater, potable water tanks and lines etc., all of which must also be winterized

 

[Bill Roosa]

Don't forget a bubbler

to keep the ice at bay. Your marina might provide this service.

 

[Spanish Dutchman]

The toilets, water heater, potable water tanks and lines were also winterized
propylene glycol and the marina is providing the bubbler system...

 

[tommays]

When you close the seacocks they have a small drain plug that allows the water in the ball area to also drain out

In a really deep freeze this can be and issue

 

[Warren Milberg]

I agree with all the advice provided above. But depending on the severity of the winter and how much snow you may get, it may also be a good idea to cover the cockpit area with a tarp to keep it from accumulating snow or ice the weight of which could lower your waterline to below the level of the scuppers. If you have any standing water in the hoses that run to closed seacocks, you could either take the hose off at the high end and drain them or pour some antifreeze into them with a funnel. Finally consider how you would deal with nylon docklines that could freeze solid, chafe, or perhaps break. It may be worth doubling up.

 

[Sanfelice]

Other considerations

Tilt cushions on edge and open all doors and interior staorage covers.

A big issue which I ran across is that many insurance companies DO NOT cover your boat if it is stored in the water during a freeze and a thru hull fails. Trust me on this one and not what your agent tells you. Boat US insurance offers a rider for this coverage for about $20.00 per yr.. You must bubble. Check with your insurance company's undewriting department directly. My agent, at the time, said it was covered. I asked for that in writing and he conferenced called into the insurer and surprise, they don't cover nor did they offer a rider. I changed insurers and agent ASAP.

 

[RAD]

As a former year rounder in NY all advice given is good especially the covering the cockpit part, it doesn't have to be over kill just throw a tarp over the boom and tie it off at the base of the stanchions and maybe put a few supports in the middle.....I didn't cover one year and I ended up with the whole cockpit full of solid ice thankfully I was able to put a heater below and it thawed after a day

 

[Rob19574]

I wet store my Catalina 30 on Long Island - going on 7 winters now. I remove everything from the interior such as cushions, carpet, electronics and such - store them inside my attic. I don't cover the boat as the tarps seem to always blow off at some point (I also have an old boat '78). I'll go down if there is heavy snow on the deck and cockpit and brush it off. I winterize all the systems and the engine as you did already. The seackcoks are either drained or have the pink-stuff in the line. They never give me a problem as they are all located about 2 feet below the waterline where that water is still above freezing (or is being circullated by the deicers. The I use 2 ice-eaters and never let the ice touch the hull. 2 things you should definetely look at whenever you have the chance: 1) make sure your cockpit scuppers are always clear and 2) after / during heavy snow - check to see you hull does not weigh down to a point where you may have above-water thru-hulls submerged. 2 issues with the latter - 1) seawater may enter the line and create a siphon sink your boat or 2) - if you have the plastic thru-hulls or perhaps a bronze and its either cracked or leaks at the deck-seal it could pose a threat. If this leaky thru-hull becomes submerged due to heavy snow your in trouble.

I have a neat picture take at our dock sitting in beach-chairs on the ice infront of our boat. Its fun to go down a visit the boat in the dead of winter.

- Rob

 

[Spanish Dutchman]

Excellent advise from everyone thanks, some things I never considered...

I'm going to top off the diesel tank and add a STARBRITE StarTron Diesel Additive to the tank. Any other ideas on the fuel system?

 

[CarlN]

I've stopped topping off the diesel tank. I think the possibility of slightly greater condensation in a partly full tank is less of a problem than having old fuel in the tank - especially with a good racor filter to take any water out. The new diesel formulation used in the US doesn't last well. And in the spring, don't fill the tank until you're sure the marina has had a new spring delivery of fresh fuel.

On board, moisture is your enemy. A boat stored in the water can quickly have condensation dripping off the overhead. This will bring mold and mildew. First, make sure the bilge is really, really dry (I just bought a wet dry vac that clamps on a standard 5 gallon plastic paint bucket at Home Depot for $19.99. Works great.). Don't seal up all your vents. You need some ventilation. A fan to blow the air around is also a great idea. Open every locker, drawer, and compartment. You want air to circulate.

Then, have some heat on the boat to dry things out. Don't use portable heaters, they're a fire hazard. A couple of 100 watt light bulbs - one by the engine and one in the bow will make a world of difference. If more is needed, use 250 watt bathroom heat lamps. Tie or tape the fixture so they can't fall against anything combustible.

Do follow the advice of putting a tarp over the boom. The cockpit drains will freeze and then the cockpit will fill with ice that is almost impossible to remove before spring.

And every winter in New England has some 60 knot gusts. Make sure the boat and her equipment is secured for this.

Carl