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**GordMay** · 23-11-2012, 02:55

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, wcs2000 and jenweese.

boatpoker · 23-11-2012, 04:40

We have lived aboard for 15 years in Lake Ontario (with occasional forays south), first at Port Credit Yacht Club and now Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. It's not very difficult once you learn a few tricks.

Our hull is lined with 1/2" foam insulation, we have heat lamps under the bed and under galley soles and in the engine compartment with a few little 12volt computer fans to move the air around. Our boat is fully shrink wrapped at the moment and we install clear plastic windows for daylight.

We keep a water hose connected to the boat all winter with the over end capped and leave the hose in the water, when we want water we pull up the hose connect it to the club house and fill the tanks.

We built a pumpout cart on a wagon with a 12volt pump and empty our hilding tank into it. The sewage catch basin is only 100' away so we wheel the cart over and drain it there. Theres more but we'll wait for questions.

Rubber Duck · 16-12-2012, 03:08

I Was going to over winter this year in Frenchman's Bay but lost my nerve... I should have.

I am in the water in early May or late April depending on crane day this year was my first year and I found it cold in the early months. One of the things I have noticed was the fact that the air in the boat would be warm but the boat itself was cold. Kinda like being in a bubble of warm air in refrigerator. I suspect two things came to play here, first I didn't have the boat covered and second no insulation on the hull or V berth. I will try this in the spring and see what difference it makes. In the event I live aboard next winter how is the engine compartment dealt with? Do you winterize it or just heat the engine space? Also, is there a better cover, canvas, shrink wrap, etc?

**boatman61** · 16-12-2012, 03:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubber Duck

In the event I live aboard next winter how is the engine compartment dealt with? Do you winterize it or just heat the engine space? Also, is there a better cover, canvas, shrink wrap, etc?

If you've shore power just suspend a light bulb in the engine room fairly low down and leave it switched on... does the trick.

Rubber Duck · 16-12-2012, 03:46

Really just a lightbulb? I suppose I have to insulate the hull in the engine compartment yes? I have read where you need large wattage engine heaters to over winter, and winterizing didn't make sense to me because the water would still be in the intake at least. If I can get a way with just a lightbulb this is more doable for me.

Thanks

sedentary · 10-12-2013, 13:37

Did anyone actually find a place in Kingston? I'm looking now too. Thanks.

pyeguy · 17-03-2014, 02:42

No one is responding but I have heard from a reliable source..that the only marina in Kingston that allows winter liveaboards..is not accepting any one new. They grandfathered the existing boats but everyone else is out of luck. Rumor is that one liveaboard left his boat in the middle of winter and went to Florida...his boat sank and he didn't have insurance. I'm not 100% sure but its the only information I have at the moment. If anyone knows differently or of a marina that still does it in the Kingston/ Gananoque are please share.

Dale Hedtke · 17-03-2014, 03:40

Of couse you should "winterize" the motor. Once winterized (that means getting RV antifreeze in the seawater cooling circuit), close the seacock just before you shut the engine down (assuming you winterize in the water.) I suggest closing the seacock with the engine running in order to be confident there is only AF in the exhaust line.
Just hanging a light bulb may work, but the practice has risks including a burned out light bulb, power loss (cord comes unplugged even) and may not provide enough heat to provide protection in the coldest weather.
Why take a risk?

witchcraft · 17-03-2014, 05:00

When you winter in , in this climate you winterize your engine. The intake is closed, if the power went out or your heater failed you would not want to be one of those who sink at the dock due to a cracked intake and uncontrolled winter ingress while you are out shopping or visiting friends for the weekend.
Pyeguy, you are correct this marina is not accepting any new year round liveaboards. Yes indeed there was a sinking at the dock and it happened quickly. The only marina I know of in the area that is now allowing this is located in Belleville.
This is unfortunate because these year round boaters are a marinas best security.

pyeguy · 17-03-2014, 14:08

I'm at stillwater basin marina in belleville currently. The owner is unsure about continuing doing winter liveaboards next year. I think he might consider liveaboards with experience but I can't be certain. There's only one way to find out...

sedentary · 04-04-2018, 12:24

Hi,

I messaged about this a few years back but didn't find out a ton. If anyone on this forum is a winter liveaboard I'd love to hear from you. Let me know where you are and the experience there please.

I have been around on the lakes for a few years but not off season. I'd love to do that.

Thanks.

pyeguy · 04-04-2018, 12:32

I did it for four years, two winter's. I loved it and I look forward to doing it again. Finding a marina that does winter liveaboards is the hardest part. I think Stillwater basin in Belleville is allowing them under the new ownership, Pickering and Toronto has Marinas that allow it.

TJ_T · 20-10-2018, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenweese

Hello everyone. I had the same question does anyone know a marina in the Kingston, Ontario area that has year round slips we are hoping to liveaboard by this summer and would like to know where to start...

I'm curious about this as well. Does anyone have winter liveaboard experience in the Kingston area recently, like last year or doing it this year? If so I'd be keen to chat about it.

boatpoker · 20-10-2018, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ_T

I'm curious about this as well. Does anyone have winter liveaboard experience in the Kingston area recently, like last year or doing it this year? If so I'd be keen to chat about it.

Kingston Marina was the last place in that area to have year round liveaboards but they stopped it a few years ago.