Boat Upkeep Below 32 Degrees

[deluxe68]

Currently shopping for our retirement home in S.F. Bay. The first year of our ownership we will still be living in Arizona as we will not retire until next year. Many of the boats we really like are on the east coast, most of these are around Annapolis. Our previous boat was in Richmond/Alameda Ca. where we did not have to worry about the water/holding tanks and plumbing freezing. What do people do with their boats in the winter in that part (Northeast) of the country? Many of the boats I see on YachtWorld are in dry storage during the cold season.

[djmarchand]

Originally Posted by deluxe68

What do people do with their boats in the winter in that part (Northeast) of the country?

We winterize them. If stored on the hard in any kind of northern climate you have to winterize all systems: engine raw water, potable water, air conditioner raw water, even waste.

Generally you pump pink RV/Boat non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze (not what goes in your engine) through each system until it comes out pink. If you are really anal you can catch a sample when it turns pink and test for freeze protection.

It takes me about an hour and 5 gallons of antifreeze to do them all.

In the spring, flush out.

David

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

We winterize them. If stored on the hard in any kind of northern climate you have to winterize all systems: engine raw water, potable water, air conditioner raw water, even waste.

Generally you pump pink RV/Boat non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze (not what goes in your engine) through each system until it comes out pink. If you are really anal you can catch a sample when it turns pink and test for freeze protection.

It takes me about an hour and 5 gallons of antifreeze to do them all.

In the spring, flush out.

David

You forgot the last 2 steps.

1) Cover boat with tarp or shrink wrap

2) Cry uncontrollably as you drive away knowing you have 5-6 months of no boating

[SaltyMonkey]

And some of the hearty live on them year round with a bubbler.

[ontherocks83]

A lot of people will also top off their fuel tanks, add a stabilizer, and run it through the engine for a bit. The only good thing about winter is your guaranteed to be able to do bottom maintenance once a year.