I want to know the right way to winterize the bilge area in a
fiberglass boat that is on a trailer, and is covered with a boat cover.

The owner manual suggests me to add anti-freeze into the bilge area for
winterizing. But I am wondering if water in that area may eventually
soak through the resin and get into the fiberglass and cause whatever
damage in the hull. Because of this worry, I have already dried the
bilge area with a rag (only takes 5 minutes). Now, I am worrying the
opposite thing: The bilge pump may be designed to be placed under water
all the time. If I dry the bilge area, the bilge pump will become dry,
and I am wondering if drying it may actually hurt it. On the other
hand, isn't the bilge pump comes from the manufacturer in a dry
container?

Any idea?

Thanks.

Jay Chan

Jay,
Dry the area, make sure the bilge does not hold rainwater and forget about
it.

The bilge pump can remain dry without any problem. The pump itself is made
out of hard plastic, that is not impacted by being dry or wet.

I definitely would not put any pink stuff in my bilge.


wrote in message
oups.com...
I want to know the right way to winterize the bilge area in a
fiberglass boat that is on a trailer, and is covered with a boat cover.

The owner manual suggests me to add anti-freeze into the bilge area for
winterizing. But I am wondering if water in that area may eventually
soak through the resin and get into the fiberglass and cause whatever
damage in the hull. Because of this worry, I have already dried the
bilge area with a rag (only takes 5 minutes). Now, I am worrying the
opposite thing: The bilge pump may be designed to be placed under water
all the time. If I dry the bilge area, the bilge pump will become dry,
and I am wondering if drying it may actually hurt it. On the other
hand, isn't the bilge pump comes from the manufacturer in a dry
container?

Any idea?

Thanks.

Jay Chan

I think Capt. Diehard is actually capt. Blowhard.

Batteries on concrete? I never figured out that silly rumor except
I've always heard people say to never set a battery on concrete because
it will kill it. or people would say, "That battery was good until I
set it on concrete".....

well.....

I''ve never seen very many batteries on the floor of anything what was
usually good very long. Chances are the battery was about half shot
but was still starting the car, then it gets set down in the garage
floor and neglected for 3-4-6 months, then somebody tries to use it,
and it's....dead.

"See, I TOLD you that putting that battery on a concrete floor would
kill it!"

uh-huh

"Sir Rodney Smithers" Ask me about my knighthood. wrote in message
...


I definitely would not put any pink stuff in my bilge.

Agreed. Aren't we the same people who wonder why the fish we want to eat are
already laden with all sorts of pollutants in their flesh? How would one
flush out the antifreeze in the spring?

The pink stuff is supposed to be biodegradable, but I still wouldn't use the
stuff.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Sir Rodney Smithers" Ask me about my knighthood. wrote in message
...


I definitely would not put any pink stuff in my bilge.

Agreed. Aren't we the same people who wonder why the fish we want to eat
are already laden with all sorts of pollutants in their flesh? How would
one flush out the antifreeze in the spring?

"Sir Rodney Smithers" Ask me about my knighthood. wrote in message
. ..
The pink stuff is supposed to be biodegradable, but I still wouldn't use
the stuff.

Yeah....I wouldn't want to be crawling around in the residue if I had to do
repairs. And, biodegradable doesn't mean non-toxic.





"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Sir Rodney Smithers" Ask me about my knighthood. wrote in message
...


I definitely would not put any pink stuff in my bilge.

Agreed. Aren't we the same people who wonder why the fish we want to eat
are already laden with all sorts of pollutants in their flesh? How would
one flush out the antifreeze in the spring?

Thanks everyone who has replied to my post.

Dry the area, make sure the bilge does not hold rainwater
and forget about it.

The bilge pump can remain dry without any problem. The pump itself is made
out of hard plastic, that is not impacted by being dry or wet.

Good. This means I am done with winterizing the bilge pump.

I definitely would not put any pink stuff in my bilge.

I have dried that area anyway and I have boat-cover over the boat to
prevent water from getting into the bilge area; therefore, there is no
need to put anti-freeze in it.

Jay Chan

On 29 Nov 2005 10:54:50 -0800, "
wrote:

I have dried that area anyway and I have boat-cover over the boat to
prevent water from getting into the bilge area; therefore, there is no
need to put anti-freeze in it.

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

It's a good idea to pull the drain plug regardless. If you tape it to
the wheel or key ring you won't forget it in the spring.

It's a good idea to pull the drain plug regardless. If you tape it to
the wheel or key ring you won't forget it in the spring.

Nice idea. But I have already prepared a "check list" just for that.
I think the "check list" probably is good enough.

Jay Chan

wrote in message
ups.com...
Thanks everyone who has replied to my post.

Dry the area, make sure the bilge does not hold rainwater
and forget about it.

The bilge pump can remain dry without any problem. The pump itself is
made
out of hard plastic, that is not impacted by being dry or wet.

Good. This means I am done with winterizing the bilge pump.

Not so fast. The plastic casing of the bilge pump will last longer if you
sprinkle it liberally with black pepper. And, you might want to search for
"sky hook" at www.westmarine.com. It's a product that will help prevent the
tarp from blowing off the boat, in case of unusually gusty winds during
storage. I can't explain how it works, but the picture on the web site will
make the whole thinkg understandable.