Hi gang! Well, I actually got her fixed to the point that I could sail my 34 for half the season...unfortunately, the end of season is closing in up here on Erie. I have decided to winter her in the water with some ice-eaters. Any suggestions on winterizing the through-hulls would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Griffin.
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M
Mike
why?
Griffin: Why are you going to float your boat through a Great Lakes winter? Is it because the travel lift at your marina requires you to drop the mast? There are sure to be marinas nearby who have an open travel lift. No cradle? Jack stands are about a hundred bucks apiece. Storage too expensive? If that boat freezes because the ice eater fails then you'll find out expensive. Do most in your area store in the water? It seems that if that were the case you would be asking them about the through hulls. Bon chance mon amie. Mike
Griffin: Why are you going to float your boat through a Great Lakes winter? Is it because the travel lift at your marina requires you to drop the mast? There are sure to be marinas nearby who have an open travel lift. No cradle? Jack stands are about a hundred bucks apiece. Storage too expensive? If that boat freezes because the ice eater fails then you'll find out expensive. Do most in your area store in the water? It seems that if that were the case you would be asking them about the through hulls. Bon chance mon amie. Mike
J
J.B. Dyer
Hi Griffin
For what ever reason you decide to leave your boat in the water, the decision is yours. Here in Tennessee, most everyone winters in the water, but we don't have the long hard cold spells that you do. I winterize around November. I have one of those vaccume oil changers with a long slim hose that goes in through the dip stick. After going through the anti freeze flush, I'll snake the hose down to the through-hulls and suck the water out until I see anti-freeze coming through the tube. This is not necessary on all of them, just the ones like the raw water feed to the engine that has a fairly long run. Anywhere I can get to the through-hulls, I just disconnect the line and pour a little anti-freeze in before hooking the line back up. I've had folks laugh at me for doing this, but it just makes me feel better on those cold hard nights. Don't forget your fresh water system and hot water tank. Have you checked to see how thick the ice gets in your area?? Mike has a valid point. If the power goes out for an extended period, you might be busy for a while keeping the ice beat off. Good Luck!!
For what ever reason you decide to leave your boat in the water, the decision is yours. Here in Tennessee, most everyone winters in the water, but we don't have the long hard cold spells that you do. I winterize around November. I have one of those vaccume oil changers with a long slim hose that goes in through the dip stick. After going through the anti freeze flush, I'll snake the hose down to the through-hulls and suck the water out until I see anti-freeze coming through the tube. This is not necessary on all of them, just the ones like the raw water feed to the engine that has a fairly long run. Anywhere I can get to the through-hulls, I just disconnect the line and pour a little anti-freeze in before hooking the line back up. I've had folks laugh at me for doing this, but it just makes me feel better on those cold hard nights. Don't forget your fresh water system and hot water tank. Have you checked to see how thick the ice gets in your area?? Mike has a valid point. If the power goes out for an extended period, you might be busy for a while keeping the ice beat off. Good Luck!!
E
Ed Ryan
Huff and puff
Here's a way to get the water out of the seacocks to ensure that they won't freeze and break (which could be a major problem and sink your boat). Close the seacock and then disconnect the hose leading to the seacock at some place other than at the seacock itself (for reasons that will be obvious in a second). Have one person at the end of the hose leading to the seacock prepare to blow into the hose. Have the other person at the seacock, ready to open (and later close) the seacock at the appointed time (eg. on the count of three). At that time, one person opens the seacock and the other simultaneously blows into the hose. When the hose (and the seacock) has been purged of water, there will be a noticeable bubbling sound at the seacock. At that point, the seacock is immediately closed. End of story. It takes two people, but it works.
Here's a way to get the water out of the seacocks to ensure that they won't freeze and break (which could be a major problem and sink your boat). Close the seacock and then disconnect the hose leading to the seacock at some place other than at the seacock itself (for reasons that will be obvious in a second). Have one person at the end of the hose leading to the seacock prepare to blow into the hose. Have the other person at the seacock, ready to open (and later close) the seacock at the appointed time (eg. on the count of three). At that time, one person opens the seacock and the other simultaneously blows into the hose. When the hose (and the seacock) has been purged of water, there will be a noticeable bubbling sound at the seacock. At that point, the seacock is immediately closed. End of story. It takes two people, but it works.
G
Griffin
Reasons...
Thanks for all of the suggestions! I had not thought of JB's idea with the oil-changer, but I had considered Ed's. OK...at the risk of sounding hoakie... The reasons are about 75% spiritual and 25% practical. Having been a full-time cruiser for a few years, I came to find that boats have a soul and they don't like to be out of the water more than they have to. Additionally, my wife and I are planning on spending some quiet winter nights aboard. That said...the practical...my marina can haul her out with the mast up, but will not store her on jacks unless the mast is down, and I don't have a cradle. There are 8 slips at the marina that I am going to that accomodate boats staying in the water. There is also a long waiting list for those slips...(I put myself on the list last January when I bought her). Anyway, that's my story! I am moving her from Catawba to Port Clinton in two weeks...fingers and toes crossed for good weather! Griffin.
Thanks for all of the suggestions! I had not thought of JB's idea with the oil-changer, but I had considered Ed's. OK...at the risk of sounding hoakie... The reasons are about 75% spiritual and 25% practical. Having been a full-time cruiser for a few years, I came to find that boats have a soul and they don't like to be out of the water more than they have to. Additionally, my wife and I are planning on spending some quiet winter nights aboard. That said...the practical...my marina can haul her out with the mast up, but will not store her on jacks unless the mast is down, and I don't have a cradle. There are 8 slips at the marina that I am going to that accomodate boats staying in the water. There is also a long waiting list for those slips...(I put myself on the list last January when I bought her). Anyway, that's my story! I am moving her from Catawba to Port Clinton in two weeks...fingers and toes crossed for good weather! Griffin.
M
Mike
Well then!
Griffin: Winter nights in a snug, heated boat while the winter night crackles outside sounds wonderful. A little mulled wine, some nice music and... I can't blame you for not wanting to store mast up on jacks. Risky if a good blow comes through. Good luck on moving her to Port Clinton. I moved mine across the bay on Sat. 9/4 in 45 degree weather with 15-25 knot winds. Exciting. Mike S/V Pitterpat
Griffin: Winter nights in a snug, heated boat while the winter night crackles outside sounds wonderful. A little mulled wine, some nice music and... I can't blame you for not wanting to store mast up on jacks. Risky if a good blow comes through. Good luck on moving her to Port Clinton. I moved mine across the bay on Sat. 9/4 in 45 degree weather with 15-25 knot winds. Exciting. Mike S/V Pitterpat
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