Winterizing Tips from Association Members

Bernie Boykin was the motivating and organizing force behind this list of suggestions from the fleet.

SOME ONE SHOULD INSPECT YOUR BOAT AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH!

 HAVE SOME ONE KEEP AN EYE ON IT & CALL YOU IF UNUSUAL EVENTS OCCUR!

  THINGS HAPPEN!

 *     If boat is out of water, open all seacocks.

 *     If water tanks have bottom outlets or drains, drain water tanks to bilge & pump overboard with bilge pump.   If no bottom drains, pump to galley sink & overboard via seacock. (If no bottom drain, it is hard to clean the water tanks, & water pump strainer clogs sooner. But this latter arrangement is safer when crossing oceans.)

 *       Cross connect water heater inlet and outlet.

 *       Drain water  heater - be sure relief valve is open.

 *       Pour 2 gallons colored antifreeze into each fresh water tank or add other chemicals (your preference) to all water tanks.

 *       Run galley faucet until antifreeze of a sufficiently undiluted strength flows from faucet.

 *       Repeat above for forward head.

 *       Repeat for aft head.

 *       Remove top of seawater strainer exit from sea chest under galley OR attach funnel to water chest vent line located in wet locker.

 *       Close inlet through hull below inlet water strainer.

 *       Fill water chest with antifreeze.

 *       Keep water chest full of antifreeze for all the following:

 *       Pump antifreeze through forward head.

 *       Pump antifreeze through aft head.

 *       Pour 2 quarts of antifreeze into each empty head. Pump head until dry, then add another quart of antifreeze for good measure.

 *       Close through hulls to divert heads to holding tank and pump antifreeze through sewer system into holding tank.

 *       Reconfigure sewer to any other sanitary device such as an Electisan and pump antifreeze through unit to displace water.

*       Empty holding tank or be sure sufficient antifreeze is present inside to prevent freezing.

 *       Cycle forward air conditioner raw water pump to move antifreeze through forward ac unit.

 *       Cycle aft air conditioner raw water pump to move antifreeze through aft ac unit.

 *       Turn refrigerator on to pump antifreeze through the refrigerator raw water system.

 *       (If desired, add normal automotive antifreeze to water chest at this time.

 *       Crank engine starter to cycle automotive antifreeze through raw water cooling system to coat system with anti-corrosives.

 *       Crank generator to cycle automotive antifreeze through generator raw water cooling system to coat system with anti-corrosives.

 *       Add non toxic antifreeze to water chest and cycle through engine cooling system.

 *       Start engine -- keep adding antifreeze to strainer or vent. Watch exhaust at transom. Keep running engine until colored water runs out exhaust for 2 minutes. (This is a good time to change crankcase oil, while engine is warm.)

 *       Repeat for generator cooling system, if present.

 *       Check closed engine cooling system to be sure antifreeze is at a sufficient level.

 *       Check closed generator cooling system to be sure antifreeze is at a sufficient level.

 *       Make sure bilge is pumped dry, & pour several gallons of antifreeze into it. Run bilge pumps to be sure any "pooling" in the lines (if present) are filled with antifreeze.

 *       Keep bilge pumped out during winter.

 *     Remove sails, canvas, lines.

 *     Secure any items left on deck.

 *       Seal around mast & elsewhere to keep rain & melted snow out of bilge.  Cover as much of deck as possible.  Make sure boat is level & deck drains clean.

 *       Add antifreeze to bilge

*       Unscrew garboard plug - if present - to drain bilge - leave drain plug out.

 *       Check starboard scupper internal drain pipe and be sure it is propped up to prevent pooling of rain water in pipe.

 *       Check entire boat interior - galley, heads, drawers - for items that may freeze and be ruined or burst by freezing temperatures.

 *     Address other water-filled areas:

         *       aft deck lazarettes,

         *       deck drains,

         *       cockpit drains,

         *       sewage tanks & hoses,

         *       anchor wash down pump & hoses.

 *       Keel fuel tank needs antifreeze if it has any water in it.

 *       Speaking of fuel, it's a good idea to fill the fuel tanks to prevent condensation, & add Biogard or some other anti-algae agent.

 

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