Winterization

[Talon]

Anybody have tips for 'winterizing' a cruiser that I plan to use year round? This will be my first season in this climate and I'm not used to having a year round boating climate. It rarely gets below freezing here during the winter, and never for more than a day or two.

My motors are freshwater cooled, but the gen set isn't.

I'm just starting to think about it now, becuase the boat will be out of the water for bottom paint in a couple weeks and it will be a good opportunity to get any work done on the fresh water systems, head, etc

Is a boat safe heater a good idea?

Thoughts?

[Talon]

Over the weekend, one of my dock neighbors was talling me about a non-toxic antifreeze for the water system. Does anybody know anything about this stuff or had any experience with it?

[wantadayoff]

Talon, I use the drinking water anti-freeze to winterize my fresh water system. If you want to save some $, buy the RV stuff from one of the "xxxmarts" or "xxxgets" (don't know if I can say names of stores on this forum). VS purchaseing at a marina for example. This antifreeze is safe for potable drinking systems, i.e.-if it doesn't get completely flushed at start up, it won't hurt you. Likewise, it is environmentally safe. On another note, there is also environmentally safe antifreeze for you engines winterization. This SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR YOUR POTABLE DRINKING WATER. I do not know the chemical make up of either of these two products, but I know that they are both effective for there designated uses. I also believe that in the case of the engine antifreeze, there are two different temperature gradients, one is cold, one is artic cold. Hope this helps.

[Talon]

Thanks! We will be getting the RV stuff for the fresh water system, and using a boat safe heater for the motors. I have the fresh water cooled  motors and the exchangers are simple to flush if it's going to be REALLY cold, which is rare down here.

And btw - I don't mind people using the store names on the forum at all. Maybe once it takes off it will become a problem, but right now it's no biggie.

[Talon]

Well, I decided to have a BoatSafe heater hardwired in while we are out for bottom paint.  Think I got a pretty good deal, so I guess we'll give it a shot...

[merwin10]

Up here in new england where everything freezes we use a non-toxic anti freeze on all pumps, raw water side of engines, water system, thru hulls, generators, ac units etc. Never had a problem in 20 years of boating. Engine side uses regular engine anti freeze for FWC engines. Never use engine anti freeze wear it well end up in the enviroment.

Boat Safe heater in the engine room. I don't recommend that! You could have gasoline vapors in low areas. Remember Gas vapors are heavier that air and seek low area in the blidge.

Better solution is to run non toxic anti freeze thru the raw water side and run engine anti freeze on the FWC side. Like I said never had a problem with this even at -20F for weeks at a time.

If you are stuck on a heater I would recommend a engine heater that heats up the FWC side and keeps the engine warm. They fit into the the cooling line and are enclosed in the hose surrounded by FWC side anti freeze. IE no explosions, no fire danger! These are what are used in the real cold areas of the world, like the Canada and the north pole.

Mike -  

[Talon]

I've got regular coolant in the motors and the boatsafe is hardwired in. It's designed for engine compartment use (no sparks when it kicks on, etc).  We leave the cabin heat on (set low) to keep the cabin from freezing. I also have a several gallons of the nontox antifreeze here at home that I could use in an emergency where I was going to be without power for several days during an especially cold snap.


It's not a big concern down here - the water temp rarely goes below 40. Right now it's a balmy 48.4  :?

[Relentless]

Boat safe heaters are ok if designed for the purpose.  However, take this into consideration:  If power fails, so does the heat, also, all electrical connections must be checked often, as most fires from these heaters are caused by connection failures, not the heater itself.

[Talon]

Agreed. I had my hardwired in and check the connections every time I'm aboard. Where we are at, I could probably get away without a heater so a couple days without power are not a big deal. The heater is just insurance :P

[merwin10]

Boy I wish I could say that, although it was'nt bad today got to 52 F which is unheard of up here in NE.

Mike -