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In-Water WInterizing

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ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/10/2004 : 12:17:31

We're planning to keep the boat in the water in NC (as I assume most people in our area are) and sail it when weather allows. As thi sis our first winter with a boat (that is not sitting in a garage) I would appreciate any advice on winter survival.

1. We were planning to leave the water tank alone as it sits at the water line and the surrounding water will not freeze (I hope).

2. Shouldn't the batteries survive as long as we make sure they are switched off?

3. The diesel fuel may get cold and think, but I am assuming we are not going to use the boat in that cold weather

What else am I missing?
thanks

Nadi ex-C25
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/enka
http://building-spindrift11s.blogspot.com/

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 12:45:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 1. We were planning to leave the water tank alone as it sits at the water line and the surrounding water will not freeze (I hope).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Despite the waterline, the water tank is not in seawater--it's in the air in your cabin and could freeze in a cold spell. The same is true for your drain hoses, although they can expand, and the thru-hulls should be safe. (Keep them closed.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/10/2004 12:46:20

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 13:55:25

I charge may batteries all winter to keep them from freezing.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 14:05:13

I'm in NC as well. Most boats seem to do fine as our winters are relatively mild, but to be on the safe side, you may want to put a little antifreeze (the pink stuff) in the hoses and drain your water tank. I also bolt a small ceramic heater in mine that comes on only when the temp drops to 32F or below. You need to keep your battery charged over the winter if you want it to last.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 19:41:37

Be sure to put some Biocide/Bioguard/Microbiocide in your diesel tank, and top off the tank. The additive will kill all the micro-organisms that grow in diesel fuel that plug filters and injectors...Page 325 in the WM catalog. The full fuel tank will reduce condensation. The mechanics say not to bother with water absorbers...some times they do more harm than good.

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2004 : 23:25:02

I would recommend draining the freshwater tank and the holding tank and antifreezing the pipes and traps. The saltwater around your boat may not freeze, but that does not mean the interior of the boat will not drop below zero celsius for long enough to freeze fresh water and crack plastic fittings.

If the water your boat floats on freezes, then you have additional concerns. If the water in the "thru-hull" conduits freezes, the expansion could pop the thru hulls, especially if they are the original "to-hulls" (VERY vulnerable in a freeze). A large schooner in my home port (warm water Martha's Vineyard) nearly sank from a broken thru hull four years ago. Only heroic efforts saved her.

At the least, I would put lots of dehumidifier on the boat--winter is mildew heaven on a shut-up boat. I use calcium chloride crystals in a plastic collander on top of a five-gallon bucket, and the bucket usually fills up every four weeks or so (and my boat is covered on the hard).

Finally, remember those winter storms and add some extra lines (a safety if moored, extra dock lines if docked). And be thorough with the chafing gear.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2004 : 13:43:09

The boat (hopefully) is not being locked up for the winter. We hope to sail when there is appropriate weather. So I hope the batteries and interior wil be checked up every 2-3 weeks (plus I hope to rewire the electrical system before spring).

Another question I have is the diesel cooling intake.
1. Should I try to purge the water by shutting off the intake a few seconds before I shut off the engine? My inderstanding is that the plastic impeller will be very sensitive to running dry.

2. Is there ane way to get antifreeze in the cooling system? This seems a moot point if I run the engine
everytime I visit the boat.

I have the antifreeze and the bio-guard (forgot to take them to the boat last weekend, I'l do it this weekend I hope. I also will talk to the marina since they seem to be taking care of some bigger boats.

Thanks for the info so far.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2004 : 16:15:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 Should I try to purge the water by shutting off the intake a few seconds before I shut off the engine? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I don't think that'd be a good idea.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 Is there ane way to get antifreeze in the cooling system?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I've seen several diseal boats set up with a t-valve on the water intake line that allows you to attach a bottle of antifreeze and use the engine to suck it in. I don't know how yours is set up, but maybe this would be something to look into. Makes it easy to re-winterize the engine after a sail.

Edited by - on

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