Winterizing in Puget sound

[Eastside3]

For those who keep their boat in the water all year, I’m curious if any of you forego the winterizing of the fresh water tank and holding tank. I like to use my fresh water for drinking so I’d like to avoid RV/Marine antifreeze if possible. It’s been suggested to me that some owners in this area actually just use a heater in the engine compartment and another couple heaters inside. I’m mindful that keeping a boat in the water year round means the systems under the waterline won’t be subject to the freezing temperature that a boat in dry dock would. Nonetheless I’m curious if any others simply use heaters rather than draining or using antifreeze.

 

[Salish Serenity]

For those who keep their boat in the water all year, I’m curious if any of you forego the winterizing of the fresh water tank and holding tank. I like to use my fresh water for drinking so I’d like to avoid RV/Marine antifreeze if possible. It’s been suggested to me that some owners in this area actually just use a heater in the engine compartment and another couple heaters inside. I’m mindful that keeping a boat in the water year round means the systems under the waterline won’t be subject to the freezing temperature that a boat in dry dock would. Nonetheless I’m curious if any others simply use heaters rather than draining or using antifreeze.

We are new to the PNW and also new to our 2015 Cutwater CB 30 (diesel). We are keeping her in the water also and plan to use her throughout the winter, weather permitting.

Our plan based on what I have read here and trawlerforum.com with respect to mild winters in the PNW, is as follows:

1. Install 2 Air dryers https://amzn.to/33cCTau, 1 in forward berth and 1 in main cabin. These dryers reduce humidity in addition to raising the internal temperature and keeping it well above freezing.

2. Drain water from fresh water system, no antifreeze added. Leave hatch above fresh water tank/water heater open when boat is not in use in order to share warmer temps from main cabin.

3. Keep holding tank empty when boat is not in use. Keep door to head open to share heat from main cabin.

4. Install Caframo engine compartment heater https://amzn.to/2VzGWeB which will keep engine and most raw water pumps, strainers and plumbing well above freezing.

5. Keep fuel tank full of diesel to reduce chance of condensation and treat fuel with https://amzn.to/2oq0yFF and https://amzn.to/35kKJ3w

I feel good about this plan. But, I would be interested in what others who keep their boats in the water in the PNW have to say as well.

 

[scross]

SeaEagle, your heaters and dehumidifiers rely on A/C so if your marina has an extended power failure will the marina notify you of that? If not, do you have a plan B to keep the boat warm?
Our boat winters in our driveway and my engine bay and cabin heaters run on A/C as well. If we have a power failure I can just connect and run our portable Honda generator to keep the A/C powered heaters in the boat running.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i stay in the sound

engine compartment heater 400w https://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Engi...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2E49F06V0BKP0A99K6G5

couple of dehumidifier in the cabin.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009L675...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

i remove the faucets as these can freeze easily.

first two years I didnt do antifreeze but this last year I ran 5 gals through.

for me the biggest risk is the hot water heater as its in the stern port cockpit locker where there is no warm seawater surrounding it or a heater.

 

[Salish Serenity]

That's a very good point! I will check with the marina and see if they alert tenants. Although the heaters/dryers are all low voltage, the house batteries without the charger wouldn't last long. I guess I would have to camp out there and between a generator and/or running the engine to keep the house batts charged... ...treat it like being on the hook. Hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[Salish Serenity]

I meant the heaters/dryers were low wattage, not low voltage.

 

[baz]

Dan:

I've been keeping my RT models in the Edmonds marina since 2009 in a covered slip with the stern facing south.

1) What I do is to use the circular-looking Caframo heaters in the cabin and fwd stateroom.
2) I leave the toilet door open.
3) I have a full cockpit enclosure and with boat's stern facing south will get the sun at times and the cockpit becomes like a greenhouse.
4) I usually fill tank with fuel.
5) I drape a thick blanket over the engine.
6) I close all hatches to avoid cool air being pushed into the boat's interior.
7) I do not flush or empty fresh water tank nor the water heater.
8) I keep boat on shore power during winter months.
9) I use the boat all year round but a little less during winter (weather is the main factor during winter)
10) I check the boat periodically as I live just a few minutes from the marina.
11) During my periodic visits to the boat I run the engine for a brief while.

During winter months the cabin temp has never been lower than 40ºF.
With the above precautions for winter weather I've had no issues at all.

 

[Eastside3]

Dan:

I've been keeping my RT models in the Edmonds marina since 2009 in a covered slip with the stern facing south.

1) What I do is to use the circular-looking Caframo heaters in the cabin and fwd stateroom.
2) I leave the toilet door open.
3) I have a full cockpit enclosure and with boat's stern facing south will get the sun at times and the cockpit becomes like a greenhouse.
4) I usually fill tank with fuel.
5) I drape a thick blanket over the engine.
6) I close all hatches to avoid cool air being pushed into the boat's interior.
7) I do not flush or empty fresh water tank nor the water heater.
8) I keep boat on shore power during winter months.
9) I use the boat all year round but a little less during winter (weather is the main factor during winter)
10) I check the boat periodically as I live just a few minutes from the marina.
11) During my periodic visits to the boat I run the engine for a brief while.

During winter months the cabin temp has never been lower than 40ºF.
With the above precautions for winter weather I've had no issues at all.

Barry, I just went to Fisheries this afternoon and bout a few heaters. I’ll be going down tomorrow to see how I’m going to run the wire for the engine heater. Great to hear that you’ve had no issue. I’m actually moving locations over the weekend and will be on the same dock as you.

 

[Eastside3]

i stay in the sound

engine compartment heater 400w https://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Engi...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2E49F06V0BKP0A99K6G5

couple of dehumidifier in the cabin.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009L675...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

i remove the faucets as these can freeze easily.

first two years I didnt do antifreeze but this last year I ran 5 gals through.

for me the biggest risk is the hot water heater as its in the stern port cockpit locker where there is no warm seawater surrounding it or a heater.

I just picked up the same Caframo Pali engine heater. I looked at the dehumidifier heaters and opted to try the Caframo True North heaters. If there’s a compelling reason why I might want the dehumidifier type then I can always use the other ones elsewhere.

https://www.caframolifestylesolutions.c ... rue-north/

I’m encouraged with Barry (Baz) having had no issues with his water heater. The one area that is still a concern is the transom shower. I plan to install a valve this month so that I can ensure that’s clear of water. I would never have thought to remove faucets, especially if keeping a heater on and having the cabinet doors open for air circulation.

What made you opt to run antifreeze this time around?

 

[FlagShip]

I do a similar routine to Barry's

1) West Marine heater in the cabin (kicks on at 38 degrees), and a couple of mini-dehumidifiers in the galley and head.
2) Toilet door open, cabinet doors open at galley sink and bathroom sink.
3) Covered slip, stern to the east. Morning sun (if we get any) will take the chill off the boat.
4) Full tank of diesel.
5) Do not flush the fresh water system. I'll leave the transom faucet "on" with the water pump off so any expansion has somewhere to vent to. I plan on installing a shut off to the transom faucet at some point.
6) Boat always on shore power at the dock. Port of Everett is very good about notifying the tenants of power issues.

The boat survived last winter with all the cold and snow just fine in an uncovered slip. The temperature of the seawater mitigates many problems that you'd otherwise have if the boat was out of the water.

 

[Sweet Peas]

If so equipped, the Webasto diesel heater should be run at least once per month.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i only use the dehumidifiers as they put out enough heat yet are only 100W and I feel are safer to leave unattended.

 

[jasonpeacock]

I keep my boat in Seattle (Lake Union). My marina disallows unattended heaters in boats, as that's one reason boats catch fire at dock. The last 2 winters I've done nothing to winterize, and there have been no issues.

I do use the boat throughout the winter, and if it's a longer cold spell and I'm getting worried then I go run the boat (with heater on) for a bit just to keep everything happy. Usually that means go idle the motor (outboard) at the dock, with Webasto cranked up, and run the faucets a little, sitting there for an hour or two.

But rarely is Seattle cold enough, long enough, to freeze the pipes above-water in the boat. Maybe a week or two a year?

Of course, this winter could be the deep-freeze and I'll find myself checking the boat more often...