Wintering in the water
 

I plan on wintering my 47' boat in the water next year in Ohio (sub freezing
temperatures many days) . . . and will be on board most weekdays.

I am curious about what winterizing I might neet to do compared to when it
is put into storage. I would expect to be able to use the freshwater
system, etc.

Thanks.

Wintering in the water
 

If you do not winterize the fresh water system, you will need to use a cabin
heater to keep the temperature above the freezing point in any area that the
fresh water system is located. They sell "boat heaters" for the engine area
and cabin.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...=10001&ref=123

"ed" wrote in message
...
I plan on wintering my 47' boat in the water next year in Ohio (sub
freezing
temperatures many days) . . . and will be on board most weekdays.

I am curious about what winterizing I might neet to do compared to when it
is put into storage. I would expect to be able to use the freshwater
system, etc.

Thanks.

Wintering in the water
 

On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 01:00:01 +0000, ed wrote:

I plan on wintering my 47' boat in the water next year in Ohio (sub freezing
temperatures many days) . . . and will be on board most weekdays.

I am curious about what winterizing I might neet to do compared to when it is
put into storage. I would expect to be able to use the freshwater system, etc.

Thanks.

Well, very few people around here take their boats out of the water for the
winter. Of course, that's salt water that basically doesn't freeze (not so much
because the water itself doesn't freeze, but because it's such a large body of
water it rarely goes below about 4 deg C, even when the air temp is -10).

As someone mentioned, a cabin heater is nice, but remember electicity sometimes
fails. Some folks in fresh water lakes here use a bubbler under their boats to
make bubbles which keeps the water right around the boat from freezing.

Apart from that, lots of sweaters, quilts, etc. and a good heater, and you're
set!

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - New engine coming on Sat - Yay!

Wintering in the water
 

ed wrote:
I plan on wintering my 47' boat in the water next year in Ohio (sub freezing
temperatures many days) . . . and will be on board most weekdays.

I am curious about what winterizing I might neet to do compared to when it
is put into storage. I would expect to be able to use the freshwater
system, etc.

It might be a good idea to have either a generator which can power your
electric heaters, or a diesel heater. If you depend on shore power, you
might find that an ice storm leaves your boat vulnerable to freezing and
no heat source on board... that would get kind of chilly for you, too!

If you are using the water systems every day, and keeping the inside of
the boat warm, you should not have to do any winterizing. However you
might make sure to fill up the water tanks any time you get the chance,
even down here in NC the water at the dock is off for much of the winter.

Fair Skies
Doug King

Wintering in the water
 

Thanks for the suggestions!

The bilge heater sounds good. Since I will not be there at night, I might
put in a power failure notification device that would call me should the
power go out and give me an opportunity to start the generator. Only
downside is f the phones go out too, which is not as common as power
failures.

Ed

"ed" wrote in message
...
I plan on wintering my 47' boat in the water next year in Ohio (sub
freezing
temperatures many days) . . . and will be on board most weekdays.

I am curious about what winterizing I might neet to do compared to when it
is put into storage. I would expect to be able to use the freshwater
system, etc.

Thanks.

Wintering in the water
 

On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 18:18:12 GMT, "ed" wrote:
The bilge heater sounds good. Since I will not be there at night, I might
put in a power failure notification device that would call me should the
power go out and give me an opportunity to start the generator. Only
downside is f the phones go out too, which is not as common as power
failures.

================================================== =======

With some shopping around you could probably find an alarm and
monitoring system which connects to a cell phone. I know that ADT and
others offer a system like that for home security.

As someone else mentioned, you need to figure out how you are going to
replenish your fresh water tanks. The normal marina dock water will
surely be turned off for the winter. One possibility is a large hose
reel which you can connect to an indoor source when needed. The hose
will need to be stored in a heated place of course. Alternatively,
you could wheel water down to the dock on a hand truck and transfer it
but that's a pain however.

One other thing worth mentioning: It is important that ALL areas of
the bilge which contain through hull fittings be kept above freezing
temperature. One of the more common winter time issues is water
freezing and cracking a through hull, which then turns into a hole in
the bottom when it thaws out. I know folks who have lost boats this
way.

Wintering in the water
 

Talked to a freind who suggested I winterize everything and bring water down
in jug's (only need it for coffee), and won't be washing any dishes.

Makes sense and reduces the risk!


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 18:18:12 GMT, "ed" wrote:
The bilge heater sounds good. Since I will not be there at night, I
might
put in a power failure notification device that would call me should the
power go out and give me an opportunity to start the generator. Only
downside is f the phones go out too, which is not as common as power
failures.

================================================== =======

With some shopping around you could probably find an alarm and
monitoring system which connects to a cell phone. I know that ADT and
others offer a system like that for home security.

As someone else mentioned, you need to figure out how you are going to
replenish your fresh water tanks. The normal marina dock water will
surely be turned off for the winter. One possibility is a large hose
reel which you can connect to an indoor source when needed. The hose
will need to be stored in a heated place of course. Alternatively,
you could wheel water down to the dock on a hand truck and transfer it
but that's a pain however.

One other thing worth mentioning: It is important that ALL areas of
the bilge which contain through hull fittings be kept above freezing
temperature. One of the more common winter time issues is water
freezing and cracking a through hull, which then turns into a hole in
the bottom when it thaws out. I know folks who have lost boats this
way.