Winterization...or not.

[daviddri]

I've researched several threads regarding winterization - especially in the Chesapeake. I have a few follow-on questions for which I have not seen answers, yet.
1) If I keep the inside of the boat (both stateroom and salon) heated as well as engine compartment, do I still run the risk of freezing freshwater piping?
2) Although the engine is easier to winterize, can, it, too, be avoided with a block and/or engine compartment heater?

As you can probably tell, I'd like to keep the boat in the water over the winter and, as a bonus, I'd like to retain access to the head and sink year-round. Note: my marina will run ice-eaters if threatened by surface ice in the marina

Thanks as always,

David

 

[mjq1987]

David,

I have a total of 1 winter's experience with this boat so consider the quality of my input, but we kept it fully operational with no issues last winter.

I took the following steps:

1. One Caframo True North heater forward of the stateroom deck access (hatch where the sump pump is located) and left the hatch off.

2. Another True North heater forward of the deck access just forward of the salon door as you step in from the cockpit (where the fuel tank valves, water pump, etc. are located) and left the hatch off.

3. One Caframo Pali Heater in the Engine Compartment sitting on the ledge on the port/aft side.

4. Each heater set to the Freeze Protection temp setting.

5. Place rolled towels in the Engine Compartment air intake gaps behind the port and starboard cockpit seat backs and toward the stern to minimize air exchange. I also put a towel through the steering wheel to remind me to take them out...

6. Installed gate valves in the hot and cold water lines to the transom shower and blew the water out of the lines.

7. I opened all of the internal cabinet and locker doors and kept the rear dinette seat up to maximize air circulation into/out of the cave.

8. Placed wireless temp and humidity sensors in the stateroom hull area, salon outboard/hull area and Engine Compartment. Over the course of a few weeks, I moved them around to get some good data points on the coldest areas of the boat to make sure I had the heaters placed properly.

We keep our boat on a lift so no surprise that the coldest parts of the boat were in the bilges, but throughout the winter in the southern Chesapeake, I didn't have any issues caused by freezing. I was able to keep all of the boat's systems unwinterized but we only have short periods of continuous sub-freezing temps at a time normally.

It's hard to pass up the opportunity to take the boat out when you get those good weather opportunities!

Hope this helps,

Mike

 

[Mr. Ed]

I understand and share your quandary. ..I also want to maximize the season. My first thought is what happens if we get a major snowstorm that takes out power. Will we have an alternative power source to keep things above freezing? Although it's unlikely, it would be catastrophic if it happened.

 

[Catch22]

Being in the "tundra zone" here, I apply the same methodology to seasonal dwellings and boats and vehicles subject to potential and disastrous freeze damage......if you are trusting artificial heat sources, how much do you trust the "grid"........do you have emergency backup .....what does your insurance cover.....

You guessed it....I winterize ...feeling confident that spring will come and all will be fine....best of luck with your decision....

 

[SUMB44]

Boatel? May be pricey, but cheaper than a new boat.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[daviddri]

Thanks for all the responses (esp. Mike) so far. I did check out Boatel - it's about $3k for the season. Expensive, but if you pay someone else to winterize and then add winter storage in a yacht yard, not too far out of sync.

The main reasons for wanting to keep the boat in the water (my marina runs ice eaters on the rare occasion we get harbor freezing) are:
1. taking it out on a nice day
2. being able to work on it and have full access to shore power
3. Overnight accommodations for my grown kids when they visit

Since I know there are live-aboard folks in my marina, I assume that if you are willing to pay the electric bill to heat the boat via space heater(s) you can stay out of trouble, ensuring you are taking care of exterior spaces (engine compartment and transom shower [good catch, Mike]). Good points about being able to monitor any issues with power loss. I do live close by and can check during particularly cold weather but would also likely install a remote monitoring solution. In the unlikely event of winter storm resulting in sub-freezing temps and loss of power to marina, I assume I'd have to run the generator until power returned.

Any other input/thoughts? Again - thanks so much for the advice so far.

David