Winterizing a 1980s Hunter 22

[BorkBorkBork]

Hi All,
I picked up a 1984 Hunter 22 at the end of the summer. I currently have it inside, but it will be kept in an unheated barn over the winter in Michigan. Given that it will have a roof and a cover, I am less concerned about ice on the outside than on the inside.

The previous owner mentioned that he kept the water tank under the cockpit "not empty" for hand washing and the like. I want to make sure that I empty the tank, but the output for the hand-pump sink faucet is about 1.5 inches off of the bottom of the forward part of the tank.

Does anyone know of another drain, perhaps on the bottom?

Thanks a lot!

Bob

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

As there is plenty of room for expansion, a little water left in the bottom won't hurt anything. High School physics teaches us water will expand upward into the void space.

Your only task here is to drain the line(s).

 

[BorkBorkBork]

The concern is for the tank fittings and lines themselves, as the line to the faucet slants upward from the tank.

High School Physics (and an undergraduate mechanical engineering degree) aside, the concern here is not specific to the expansion of water during the freezing process inside of a smooth container. The concern is for the expansion of the freezing water around the tank fittings and lines.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Pour some bio degradable marine anti freeze in the tank and run some through the lines. Use the -100 and you'll be able to sleep at night. A gallon will run you about $15 at West Marine. It is safe to blend it with water so the current residual water will not affect anything.

In the spring, fill and empty your tank multiple times to rinse it out.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The concern is for the tank fittings and lines themselves, as the line to the faucet slants upward from the tank.

.

In which case gravity is your friend.

You can add some antifreeze if it makes you feel better but given your description, I think you are safe.

 

[Chasemixon]

I had recently added a 12v water pump to my boat just so I could have water on demand without having to pump... I filled my reservoir with water and bleach to just clean it out good, and for a test I just connected the pump from the lower connection on the reservoir to the drain line from the sink to get the water and bleach out... then I lowered the front of the trailer with the jack so the front of the boat was slightly lower than the aft... that got most of the water out of the tank... as for the water in the fittings I just let them drain into the bilge area and then pumped it out... Hope that helps?

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I too got tired of using the hand pump to empty the tank for winter. I disconnect the line at the sink and attach a 120v AC pump. I pump the entire system dry, sendind it over the side.

We get sub zero temps here. I've had no issues in 12 years.

 

[JamesO256]

I have a 1983, 22. I took mine lose at the pump on the sink, and used a shop vac. Worked good.

 

[jassprag]

draining tank

I remove the forward keel bolt on starboard side. take the hose off of the sink pump. remove starboard cabin sole and drain the tank. I keep the boat outdoors under a tarp and with the keel bolt removed any water that gets in drains out.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Cahsemixon, Cephius Dave and James gave you some good advice and I would tend to agree with them. Never take out major bolts and so forth. In the future, a photo would be most helpful so we can better advise.