Winterizing boat moored in salt water

[Thomwa]

This is probably for Howard,
You gave Andrew a great list for winterizing our boats - However you mentioned that a few things would be done differently if the boat is moored in Salt Water -
Will you PLEASE give us a list for those who moor their boats in salt water.

Thank you SOO much! 😀
Lorry

 

[Levitation]

There is nothing special about our Tugs... Go to the local marina and talk to owners who leave their boats in during the winter...

 

[baz]

My boat stays in salt water all year round at the Port Of Edmonds, WA. The only precautions I make are

1. Leave battery charger breaker ON
2. Set refrigerator cooling level to 2 and ensure it's circuit breaker is ON
3. Plug in a de-humidifier unit at dining area 120v outlet and ensure that Dining area 120v circuit breaker is ON
4. Ensure shore power is switched ON
5. Close the engine bay sea cock
6. Place a towel over top edge of shower/head room door to allow room to air
7. Pump the waste tank dry after back filling at least twice
8. Have the fuel tank full
9. Diver service checks my under water zincs and hull condition every 3 months
10. Will periodically wipe down all the stainless and chromed metals
11. Periodically check the battery charge level in my Portland Pudgy dingy as this is required for its built-in compass and night lights

At least once a month I check the boat over -- if not more often as I use the boat throughout the year.

 

[Thomwa]

Wow! What a great list THANKS 😀

 

[C&PSmith]

Whenever you close the raw water intake, be sure to put a "lockout" note on the steering wheel so that no one starts the boat without opening the seacock!

 

[sparky]

What about pumping out all the fresh water and pouring a gallon of the pink "Non Tox" through the system? Also dump a gallon into the head and pump through....

 

[ozoner]

If I am leaving the boat in salt water, I won't usually worry about draining the fresh water. Unless you are in the arctic, the hull in contact with the 40-50 degree water will usually keep it warm enough inside to prevent interior water tanks from freezing.

Certainly won't HURT to throw in some pink stuff, but I have never had freeze damage in my fresh water tanks or water lines in many years...

 

[baz]

Whenever you close the raw water intake, be sure to put a "lockout" note on the steering wheel so that no one starts the boat without opening the seacock!

That would be an excellent note to employ. Thanks... 🙂

 

[baz]

This is probably for Howard,
You gave Andrew a great list for winterizing our boats - However you mentioned that a few things would be done differently if the boat is moored in Salt Water -
Will you PLEASE give us a list for those who moor their boats in salt water.

Thank you SOO much! 😀
Lorry

FYI... Page 33 of the Ranger's R-25 Owner's Manual has an example of "WINTER STORAGE CHECKLIST".

 

[hlgearheart]

Hi Lorry, I don't have any specific instructions for boats that are left in the water, salt or fresh. As mentioned there may be residual heat available from the water to help keep the bilge from freezing. The process outlined for winterizing is for out of the water. Just keep in mind, you'll be pumping "RV Antifreeze" out the various thru hulls into the water during the winterizing process.

Howard