As the end of my first boating season gets closer I need help on what things need to be done to winterize my boat. I'm currently checking out different yards to store the boat for the winter. Has anyone on this forum ever produced a type of checklist on what things need to be taken care of to store the boat properly? The engine, all the different sytems, the rigging, sails, etc. I'm concerned I might not do something and it will cause damage over the winter. Thanks.
- Status
What does the yard require?
My marina likes to leave the rigging up, some require that it comes down. The checklist can get very long if you do unstep as I am finding out right now. My boat comes out tomorrow and I want to check everything for the first time since I have owned her. So this will be my first time at unstepping. Better option? Fill out the workorder and have the marina call when it is done! Like a real yacht owner.
But if you are like me(poor) and do everything yourself I do have a checklist(Excel). Post or send me your e-mail address. Ed h37skipper@aol.com
My marina likes to leave the rigging up, some require that it comes down. The checklist can get very long if you do unstep as I am finding out right now. My boat comes out tomorrow and I want to check everything for the first time since I have owned her. So this will be my first time at unstepping. Better option? Fill out the workorder and have the marina call when it is done! Like a real yacht owner.
But if you are like me(poor) and do everything yourself I do have a checklist(Excel). Post or send me your e-mail address. Ed h37skipper@aol.comEd, I could use that checkist also
Ed ... per you response to this posting, I would appreciate a copy of the excel checklist spreadsheet you mention ... I am at kingofcary@aol.com ... many thanks ... Dennis
Ed ... per you response to this posting, I would appreciate a copy of the excel checklist spreadsheet you mention ... I am at kingofcary@aol.com ... many thanks ... Dennis
Winterizing
Joe, BoatUS just published a couple of articles by Don Casey in the How To section covering winterizing. See related links and perhaps you can make up your own list. Good luck
Joe, BoatUS just published a couple of articles by Don Casey in the How To section covering winterizing. See related links and perhaps you can make up your own list. Good luck
Pay the Experts First Time
Don't unstep the mast unless you have an old boat and are suspicious about it's integrety. Pay the yard to winterize the boat and HELP them, to learn what needs to be done. Take careful notes so you can do the same the next year alone. This may cost you several hundred dollars but it will save you thousands in the following years.
Don't unstep the mast unless you have an old boat and are suspicious about it's integrety. Pay the yard to winterize the boat and HELP them, to learn what needs to be done. Take careful notes so you can do the same the next year alone. This may cost you several hundred dollars but it will save you thousands in the following years.
Water heater tip
I recently bought a Hunter 34. I believe that the previous owner used Pink to winterize the fresh water lines, but failed to plumb around the water heater (essentially used the pink to winterize the water heater). I had to replace the water heater and found it full of a jello like material. I think that this was the pink. I read somewhere else (may have been on the pink bottle) that you should plumb around the hot water heater and not get the pink in the heater.
I recently bought a Hunter 34. I believe that the previous owner used Pink to winterize the fresh water lines, but failed to plumb around the water heater (essentially used the pink to winterize the water heater). I had to replace the water heater and found it full of a jello like material. I think that this was the pink. I read somewhere else (may have been on the pink bottle) that you should plumb around the hot water heater and not get the pink in the heater.
The real tip is to flush before you..............
I believe that the real issue of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol is that you really need to flush it out of your system BEFORE you turn on the water heater. There is no reason that I can see any longer to use ethylene glycol in your engine or anywhere else. It is VERY toxic. It should NEVER be used in your potable water system. It is harmful to the environment too.
I believe that the real issue of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol is that you really need to flush it out of your system BEFORE you turn on the water heater. There is no reason that I can see any longer to use ethylene glycol in your engine or anywhere else. It is VERY toxic. It should NEVER be used in your potable water system. It is harmful to the environment too.
Use ONLY propylene glycol ("the pink stuff") in
plumbing. NO antifreeze should ever be used in a Lectra/San...it will damage the electrodes, but it can be used in any toilet, water tanks, holding tanks, and any thing else--including a water heater. Ben, you found pink "gelatin" in your water heater because somebody turned the water on before all the antifreeze was flushed out of it. That's a major no-no..."cooking" it not only congeals it, but can damage the heating element.
plumbing. NO antifreeze should ever be used in a Lectra/San...it will damage the electrodes, but it can be used in any toilet, water tanks, holding tanks, and any thing else--including a water heater. Ben, you found pink "gelatin" in your water heater because somebody turned the water on before all the antifreeze was flushed out of it. That's a major no-no..."cooking" it not only congeals it, but can damage the heating element.
I have a checklist for you
I have a Hunter 34 winterizing checklist. The list was authored by the previous owner of my '85 H34. He owned it for 9 years and I believe he perfected the list over that time period. Send me your e-mail address (to:sbukolt@dstewart.com), and I'll reply with the pdf attached. This is my first winterization of an H34 too. Good luck. sb
I have a Hunter 34 winterizing checklist. The list was authored by the previous owner of my '85 H34. He owned it for 9 years and I believe he perfected the list over that time period. Send me your e-mail address (to:sbukolt@dstewart.com), and I'll reply with the pdf attached. This is my first winterization of an H34 too. Good luck. sb
A Tip To Make The Job Easier
I have found that the best way to evacuate the water lines and the water heater is with a shop vac. I made a couple of adaptors to hook to the water heater drain and to the water lines and I can evacuate the whole works dry in short order. I also vacuum the raw water strainers for the diesel and for the head. After all of that I run straight pink antifreeze throughout the system and pour a couple of gallons in each water tank and in the holding tank via the head to dilute any remaining water. I use the -100 antifreeze in the diesel heat exchanger. I remove the raw water pump belt, pull the line off intake side of the pump, put on a different line and stick it into a gallon or two of -100, and spin the pump with an electric drill. That way you put antifreeze in the heat exchanger and into the water lift muffler.
I have found that the best way to evacuate the water lines and the water heater is with a shop vac. I made a couple of adaptors to hook to the water heater drain and to the water lines and I can evacuate the whole works dry in short order. I also vacuum the raw water strainers for the diesel and for the head. After all of that I run straight pink antifreeze throughout the system and pour a couple of gallons in each water tank and in the holding tank via the head to dilute any remaining water. I use the -100 antifreeze in the diesel heat exchanger. I remove the raw water pump belt, pull the line off intake side of the pump, put on a different line and stick it into a gallon or two of -100, and spin the pump with an electric drill. That way you put antifreeze in the heat exchanger and into the water lift muffler.
- Status