C28 winterization in port ludlow

[Normf943]

I want to keep my boat in the water and use it over the winter. Please critique my plan.
1. Install a bilge heater even though I am not sure that I need one given the water temperature which seldom goes below about fifty degrees.

2. Drain the freshwater tank and open all of the faucets.

3. Pump out the gray water tank after flushing the toilet. Pour in some antifreeze in the toilet and the shower sump.

4. Open hot water sink faucets to drain the water heater tank.

Question. I now have a groco valve so that I can flush the heat exchanger with fresh water which has a lower freeze point than salt water. Is this a good idea?

Anyone’s thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Gypsy]

I have a C28 that I keep on a lift behind my house on the James River, just off the Chesapeake Bay. I believe my area is significantly colder than where you are. I do not winterize my boat because I use it during the winter. I have a bilge heater and a space heater that I keep in the head with the door open. I also keep the hot water heater on. I do not drain my tanks or fill them with antifreeze. Our temperatures often go below freezing. Keeping the boat on a lift adds to the potential for freezing vs. keeping the boat in the water. I also monitor the boat temperatures remotely and get a notification on my phone should the temperature in the bilge or in the cabin drop below 40 deg. Last winter we had a week of single digit cold weather. I had a little ice form in the head, so now I add a little antifreeze in the bowl. I also had the water line to the galley sink freeze. The water line tubing is Pex, and can stand some freezing. As soon as the temperature warmed up a bit, the line thawed just fine. I now leave the cabinet doors open which allows warmer air to flow around the tubing.

 

[gswearin]

Hi Norm,
I'd add interior heat as well, such as the Caframo products, not so much for freezing but to keep the humidity down.
You may find it overkill for Port Ludlow. I'm in Elliott bay and haven't had any issues with the water systems without draining them.

 

[Maggie Anne]

There is a good "As the prop turns" webinar on winterizing. I built a air compressor attachment to blow out the water lines similar to the one described in the webinar. Also I think the hot water tank might still be full even though the hot water taps are open so open the drain valve on the bottom of the tank.

 

[Diatom]

Similar tactics/experience to Gypsy for my Salt Spring moored C26:
- Ruuvis all over the place, reporting home via bridge (and Victron).
- Internet-independent temp report from BRNKL
- Heavy Seabrella curtains closed, canvas covers installed (clear night black body radiation is enough to create a frosted-over heat sink on single-thickness surfaces). Hatches remain a heat loss point.
- Cockpit is canvas/Eisenglass closed. Canvas good, Eisenglass bad. Could add insulating curtains I suppose.
- Caframo bilge heater. Wish setpoint were adjustable - but it does the job. Monitored via Ruuvi and watt-meter function of an old Wemo switch. Impressed that convection from Caframo zone actually protects entire cockpit.
- Single 750W A/C ceramic heater in Vberth aimed at open head & stairs. Timer "on" 18:00-08:00 via TPLink smart switch (timer is internet-independent).
- Principal heat source is in fact the ocean. Reliable/local ocean surface temperatures monitored at http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professional ... atures-map .
- Critical risk: power failure. Victron inverter in pass-thru mode, relying on local utility to restore power quickly and ocean to provide a baseline heat source. Secondary risk: ceramic heaters true MTBF estimate 2 seasons based on experience. Swapped main heater out this year, Caframo next.
- Typical temperature minima past week: atmosphere 0°C, ocean surface +10°C, potable +10°C, blackwater 8.6°C, head (cupboard) +8°C, shower sump +11°C, VBerth 8.7°C, Cabin 8.3°C, Cockpit 6.1°C.
- Ceramic heater is set to "low" and "5 o'clock gauge". Lots of room to increase heat input, last year passed without incident.

/tmm

 

[Normf943]

Thanks to all. Very good insights and advice.