I am planning to winterize my diesel engine and plumbing system and was wondering where is it easier to do this, in the water or the boat on stands? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of both? *o
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It Depends....
The physical work of winterizing is one thing but then there is the travel back and forth to the boat and getting in it to consider. If the boat is in the water is there a short or long walk to the slip? If the boat is on stands can the car be driven up to the boat or does the yard make you park it out in the back 40? Then there is the ladder to climb up and down, dirt and grit to track on board which requires clean up. The steps required to winterize any specific engine will vary somewhat between engines so consulting the manual and puting together a list would be a good start point. Think through each step and decide for yourself what would be easier then factor in the above (yard vs slip) considerations and you can come up with your answer. Most likely the answer will be some items can best be done in the slip and others can be done in the yard. A good link on boat winterizing: http://www.boatus.com/winter/
The physical work of winterizing is one thing but then there is the travel back and forth to the boat and getting in it to consider. If the boat is in the water is there a short or long walk to the slip? If the boat is on stands can the car be driven up to the boat or does the yard make you park it out in the back 40? Then there is the ladder to climb up and down, dirt and grit to track on board which requires clean up. The steps required to winterize any specific engine will vary somewhat between engines so consulting the manual and puting together a list would be a good start point. Think through each step and decide for yourself what would be easier then factor in the above (yard vs slip) considerations and you can come up with your answer. Most likely the answer will be some items can best be done in the slip and others can be done in the yard. A good link on boat winterizing: http://www.boatus.com/winter/
I do it this way
I winterize the plumbing (potable water, head, shower sump, AC) while the boat is in the water because it's easier to get the antifreeze on board from the dock than lugging it up a ladder. Also, I'm not climbing up and down with dirty shoes from the parking lot. I put the engine antifreeze on board while the boat is in the water for use later for the same reason. While still in the water, I change oil and fuel filters because it's easier to run the engine to warm the oil while the boat is in the water. Once the boat is hauled, I run the engine to pump a few gallons of fresh water through the cooling system. Then I stick the raw water pickup hose into a bucket of engine antifreeze and keep running the engine until the antifreeze comes out the exhaust. Done!
I winterize the plumbing (potable water, head, shower sump, AC) while the boat is in the water because it's easier to get the antifreeze on board from the dock than lugging it up a ladder. Also, I'm not climbing up and down with dirty shoes from the parking lot. I put the engine antifreeze on board while the boat is in the water for use later for the same reason. While still in the water, I change oil and fuel filters because it's easier to run the engine to warm the oil while the boat is in the water. Once the boat is hauled, I run the engine to pump a few gallons of fresh water through the cooling system. Then I stick the raw water pickup hose into a bucket of engine antifreeze and keep running the engine until the antifreeze comes out the exhaust. Done!
Boat Location
The boat(28.5)is now in a slip for a week. So my plan now is to; change the oil/filter and drain the water system on the slip. After haul out, will run antifreeze thru the engine via the seawater inlet hose until it runs out the exhaust. Also is there a easy/good way to drain the oil from the 18hp Yanmar engine? thanks for your suggestions
The boat(28.5)is now in a slip for a week. So my plan now is to; change the oil/filter and drain the water system on the slip. After haul out, will run antifreeze thru the engine via the seawater inlet hose until it runs out the exhaust. Also is there a easy/good way to drain the oil from the 18hp Yanmar engine? thanks for your suggestions
Oil Pump
Which type of oil pump to purchase? I have seen manual types that work with air suction for about $35.
Which type of oil pump to purchase? I have seen manual types that work with air suction for about $35.
Pump choices.
There are many choices for type of oil extractor pump(Related Link). I have the Tempo Oil Boy and it works very well. I also use it in the Spring to suck out some diesel around the fuel tank pickup tube. With any extractor make sure 1) the oil is warm, 2) the tube does not sit flush on the bottom of the oil pan, 3) that air can get into the pan(remove a cap from the valve cover).
There are many choices for type of oil extractor pump(Related Link). I have the Tempo Oil Boy and it works very well. I also use it in the Spring to suck out some diesel around the fuel tank pickup tube. With any extractor make sure 1) the oil is warm, 2) the tube does not sit flush on the bottom of the oil pan, 3) that air can get into the pan(remove a cap from the valve cover).
Electric Drill Pump
Another ITT Jabsco product that can be used for oil pumping is the "Electric Drill Pump". Link: http://www.jabsco.com/prodInfoApp/servlet/DisplayItemDetail?itemId=17250-0003&catalogId=Industrial&categoryId=JIACC&typeId=JIAOC&companyId=JABSCO I put a copper tube on the end of the hose, about 12-inches long, that fits into the dip stick hole. Got clear plastic tubing for the inlet and outlet on the pump so this way one can see what's hapening. When the oil is hot it takes about 30 seconds to a minute to drain the oil on a 3-cylinder Yanmar. Store the pump setup wrapped in paper towles or a diesel synthetic towel used to wipe up a small spill (one of those freebies they give you when you get fuel), and then put the whole thing in a plastic shopping bag (recycled). This keeps the inside of the boat clean and free of oil. Save the empty gallon oil containers (recycled) for puting the old oil into. Put a piece of masking tape on the container and write on it "Old Oil".
Another ITT Jabsco product that can be used for oil pumping is the "Electric Drill Pump". Link: http://www.jabsco.com/prodInfoApp/servlet/DisplayItemDetail?itemId=17250-0003&catalogId=Industrial&categoryId=JIACC&typeId=JIAOC&companyId=JABSCO I put a copper tube on the end of the hose, about 12-inches long, that fits into the dip stick hole. Got clear plastic tubing for the inlet and outlet on the pump so this way one can see what's hapening. When the oil is hot it takes about 30 seconds to a minute to drain the oil on a 3-cylinder Yanmar. Store the pump setup wrapped in paper towles or a diesel synthetic towel used to wipe up a small spill (one of those freebies they give you when you get fuel), and then put the whole thing in a plastic shopping bag (recycled). This keeps the inside of the boat clean and free of oil. Save the empty gallon oil containers (recycled) for puting the old oil into. Put a piece of masking tape on the container and write on it "Old Oil".
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