Winter Boating

[Irish Mist]

All going as planned I want to leave my boat in until the lake ( not just the bays ) starts to freeze next year and would want to be using it and anchoring out over night as much as possible. I have thought about all the safety concerns, so no need to go into that, but would really appreciate any feed back from anyone that as actually anchored out or moored without power with below freezing temperatures. I would have a diesel heater by then, and will also have a portable generator for back up in case I can't fire up the built in generator and need to thaw out stuff. My concern is with the mechanical systems. My thoughts are to turn off the sea cocks at night,just in case. I was going to install the furnace behind the fridge as they are doing on the 31, but I think if it is beside the generator as is on the factory install on the 29, there hopefully would be enough heat to keep the engine room above freezing, without putting a separate duct there..I will keep the large access panel off in the mid cabin so air can circulate under the floor. As far as creature comforts, if it is not comfortable I will only stay out once, and leave plugged in at the marina 🙂 I will pull it out around now and leave it on a trailer and drag it south in March, if all goes as planned.
I know to most of you this is probably not the smartest of plans and you are absolutely right, but I want to try it and if it is too much work or too much breaks I won't do it again, but if I don't try I will never know.
Thanks