winterization

[Adrian]

We are a new owner...29S. Docked at Elliott Bay Marina and this coming winter will be our first winter.

We plan to use our boat year around. I kept hearing that I need to flush everything and add anti-freeze in every pipes. Is there another way to winterized her? Add de-humidifer, cabin heater...?

Adrian and Catherine
"THAT"

 

[Chimo]

Are you going to keep the boat on a trailer? In a boathouse? In the water?

 

[Spinner]

Hi, welcome to EBM!

I have had first a 29 and now a 31 moored at Elliott Bay docks for coming up on five winters now. Here is what I do. I do use my boat when weather permits in the winter.

I use an engine room heater to keep the engine from getting super cold. Here's the one I have :
It comes on at about 45 degrees and turns off at 55.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/caframo ... 9510ca-bbx

I had Ranger install shutoff and drain valves for my cockpit shower and sink because they are quite vulnerable to freezing in cold snaps. This allows me to protect those fixtures and still continue to use the rest of the water system.

In the cabin, I use two of those round, low heat air dryers from West Marine. One goes just inside the "cave" while the other one sits on the forward stateroom bed.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=1

I prop open the head door and also leave the cabinet doors open below the galley and head sinks.

I have a full canvas enclosure for the cockpit, so I leave a few upper zippers partially open so the cockpit doesn't get mildew.

I keep the fuel tank full to minimize condensation and add a biocide. I don't worry about the potable water tank or the holding tank because neither would be in danger of freezing.

That's it! Because my boat is in the salt water, which never freezes, there is no need to put antifreeeze in all of the water systems. The cabin and contents have stayed mildew free.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Almost identical scenario as Spinner on my cutwater. same two heaters. that Caframo is great for the engine.

I leave in the water in Laconner which has briny conditions and will freeze the top 1 inch in the winter in the marina from the runnoff.

last winter I did not add vodka/antifreeze to the water tanks. both the inside and outside tap froze a little and the residual water expansion caused both taps to drip when the pump was on as the plastic parts were slightly deformed.

trying to figure out best way to protect these. I really dont want to put antifreeze in fresh water supply.

currently on the hunt for the cheapest 5 gals of vodka around!

 

[Spinner]

Regarding cockpit showers and faucets:

I have shutoff valves and drains installed to those supply lines. It's very easy to close the valves and drain just that part of the potable water system, and then there is no risk of damaging the fixtures in a freeze. By doing this, I am able to use my boat in the winter 🙂 no need to add anything to the water system because the lines and fixtures inside the cabin are well-protected from freezing.

 

[YukonRon]

Regarding cockpit showers and faucets:

I have shutoff valves and drains installed to those supply lines. It's very easy to close the valves and drain just that part of the potable water system, and then there is no risk of damaging the fixtures in a freeze. By doing this, I am able to use my boat in the winter 🙂 no need to add anything to the water system because the lines and fixtures inside the cabin are well-protected from freezing.

Great idea to isolate the exterior potable water fixtures, but how do you keep the engine cooling loop from freezing if you're not winterizing with antifreeze? Do you use a heater in the engine compartment?
We would like to extend the fall/spring shoulder boating seasons when the temps just dip below freezing some nights; using RV antifreeze for a full winterization when the real cold sets in.

 

[Spinner]

Yes, I have an engine room heater. It comes on when the temp in that space drops to 45, and turns off at 55.

 

[YukonRon]

Yes, I have an engine room heater. It comes on when the temp in that space drops to 45, and turns off at 55.

Yes, sorry, I should have seen that in your earlier post. Must be past my bedtime. 😳

 

[Levitation]

RV antifreeze is non toxic, cheap, and flushes out readily. The pink color lets you know when you are done.
Flushing the lines and tank in the spring is an easy task.
Just go with the flow, mon. Don't worry, be happy :mrgreen:

Oh yeah, and Ranger has an instruction sheet for winterizing - so easy even a caveman can do it.

 

[Spinner]

Hi Levitation, here in the Pacific NW, boats that are kept in the water don't require winterizing with anti-freeze. It doesn't freeze up, and we just have to guard against the rare cold snap. Many boaters use their boats through the winter!!

The original poster keeps his boat in the same marina as I do, and plans to boat through the winter ....

 

[Adrian]

Use more than one heater...will it blow the fuse? I will be sure to use the outlet with its own fuse for each heater...Hmm.

I will look into having a shut off faucet for the shower and sink in cockpit.

Thanks!!!

Adrian

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Spinner where did you install the drain taps for the outside faucets? in the cupboard below the sink or further inside the engine bay?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

also do you keep the fresh water tank full or empty during the winter? (when the boat is kept in the water)

 

[Robjen]

How do I get the Factory winterization process for my 2017 R29CB? We live in Kentucky and store the tug out of the water in the winter. I just want to make sure I do not miss anything 😱

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Give Ranger Tugs a phone call in Kent and ask for Andrew, Kenny or Tim....they should have an outline for your R29CB. If you have any specific questions I'd be more then happy to help, just PM me with your questions. We have n R29S and recently winterized her, so the process is fresh in my mind.

Jim F