I moved up from a 22ft boat to a 30ft boat this spring. Of course, there are many more things to care for on a lager boat. I'm already concerned about making sure I winterize the boat properly. Diesel engine, water heater, head etc. With temps getting down to -20F in my area, I'm concerned about missing something critical. I've heard I need to run antifreeze through the engine cooling system before putting the boat up. Do you do this while the boat is in the water - letting the antifreeze solution go into the lake? Any tips, tricks or suggestions would be appreciated.
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way too early to hear about winterizing!
That's worse than seeing back to school adds on TV already.
If your hauling the boat, do it all on land.
That's worse than seeing back to school adds on TV already.
If your hauling the boat, do it all on land.winter
treat the boat like a car that will be set up for the winter, i assume that the motor is fresh water cooled, first drain the block, there should be a drain on the side, above the pan/block seam, and drain water out of the water outlet/exhaust system. take out the batteries , if possible, or get a trickle charger to help keep charged, drain the head, head hoses and holding tank, and drinking water tank and hoses. follow the motor makers instructions for closing down for winter. prop open drawers and cabinets for venting. dry bilges. prob more, but this is a starter...
treat the boat like a car that will be set up for the winter, i assume that the motor is fresh water cooled, first drain the block, there should be a drain on the side, above the pan/block seam, and drain water out of the water outlet/exhaust system. take out the batteries , if possible, or get a trickle charger to help keep charged, drain the head, head hoses and holding tank, and drinking water tank and hoses. follow the motor makers instructions for closing down for winter. prop open drawers and cabinets for venting. dry bilges. prob more, but this is a starter...
Not that difficult
I have an Oday 30 on Lake Erie. I winterized my engine after it was put on its cradle. I put about three gallons of non-toxic antifreeze into a five gallon bucket. I pulled the hose off the thru hull, put it in the bucket of anti freeze and started the engine. I started seeing the antifreeze being pumped out the exhaust after about half of the antifreeze was used. I pumped the rest thru just to make sure. I used the best West marine sold, made especially for engines. A little more expensive but worth it. Your owners manual should go thru the processes in detail for the engine and the rest of the boat. If you don't have manuals, I ordered a engine manual from MarineEngine.com. Well worth it. That was the only manual missing from the original owners book on my boat. My boat is a 1982 Oday 30.
I have an Oday 30 on Lake Erie. I winterized my engine after it was put on its cradle. I put about three gallons of non-toxic antifreeze into a five gallon bucket. I pulled the hose off the thru hull, put it in the bucket of anti freeze and started the engine. I started seeing the antifreeze being pumped out the exhaust after about half of the antifreeze was used. I pumped the rest thru just to make sure. I used the best West marine sold, made especially for engines. A little more expensive but worth it. Your owners manual should go thru the processes in detail for the engine and the rest of the boat. If you don't have manuals, I ordered a engine manual from MarineEngine.com. Well worth it. That was the only manual missing from the original owners book on my boat. My boat is a 1982 Oday 30.
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