Winterizing

[JSCox]

Generally I let the marina handle winterizing all my systems. That of course can get rather costly. Could someone provide me with a link or directions on how to winterize the airconditioning units (2), generator, heads, water system, and engine? I have found some material on water systems, but only get high level instructions. I guess I need winterization for dummies. I have a 2007 45CC.

 

[Ol Dave]

Move somewhere south of Pensacola

I think that should just about do it. The folks in Tampa, San Diego and Key West don't seem to have too much trouble winterizing. Neither do sailors in Mazalan, St. Thomas or Aruba for that matter. It's something to think about especially in WI.Ol' Dave

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

big effort required

You probably won't get everythingyou want here as writing a thorough desc of all systems winterization requiremnts would require a significant amount of time maybe someone here has but it would seem more prudent for you to buy one of the many books on the subject to ensure you do it correctly particularly as every boat has somethat unique plumbing systems.You could also take the time to watch the yard guy do it so you'll know how in the future.

 

[Steve]

The information that came with your boat from Hunter (big blue loose leaf binders one of which has sections pertaining to each major system onboard) should have everything you need to know about all the systems on your boat with the possible exception of your engine - I am not sure about generator since I don't have one. I assume that you have a Yanmar engine and you can purchase a manual for it from any Yanmar dealer. You are going to need lots of potable (pink) antifreeze, engine oil and filters (same for generator), maybe raw water pump impellers, and whatever else is specific to your boat. Basic hand tools are all you will probably need. Sails and canvas should come down and I usually store them in my basement along with anything else onboard that could freeze (polish and other cleaning stuff). All of this must be done before boat is hauled and once the engine has been winterized you cannot use it so boat must be towed from slip to Travel-Lift. On my 356 with one engine, one head, and no genset, all of this takes two people about 6 unhurried hours. I would guess that your genset adds another hour or two. The second head (hot water heater?) does not add anything to the time since all you are doing is pumping antifreeze through it from your water tank.None of this is really hard to do and I would suggest that you try to do it yourself for two reasons. First it is very instructive to do it yourself because you learn where everything is and is it easy to get to in case of a malfunction. Second it is really cheap.

 

[seadaddler]

Not Really Hard

It's not really hard to do it's just more to do for you,you will need lot's of pink antifreez.Look in all your owner manuals for help with all systems,archives should have plenty info running pink antifreezinto all systems.Try looking for helpful books on winterization,you can get plenty of help on this forum.Nick

 

[Tony]

Water Heater

Hi To winterise the water heater you need a short length of hose to join the inlet and the outlet pipes on the heater. Then open the drain at the base of the tank to empty it, you can speed the process up by opening the pressure relief valve.You do this because if you put pink antifreeze in the heater first you will need lots, depending on size of heater. I have an 11 gall heater on my H41. But the worst problem you will have is getting all the antifreeze out in the spring. Just a little residue will smell and taste when it heats up. I winterise two a/c units, two heads, 2 shower sump pumps and the rest of the water system and use between 6 and 7 galls to do it all.For the heads take off the pipes on the through hulls and put them into pail of antifreeze and pump through with head pump, same for electric, not sure how to do a vacu flush head.For A/C same thing, disconnect at throughhull and use pump to push A/F through systems. Shower sumps pour into sump and operate pump.Put A/F into drained water tank and pump through each faucet untill nice pink stuff comes out. When thats done Put some through the other water tank. If you have distribution panel for water syatem there is a drain at the bottom of the valve assembly, Don't forget to let some pink stuff out through the mains water hookup as well.As for the engine I'll let someone else help there, I do pay for that to be done at my yard.Tony