winterizing

[rjohnson58]

Hi everyone, My wife Becky and myself are new to Ranger Tugs and Tugnuts. My name is Rick and I have a question about winterizing our R-29 in the Seattle area. We plan on keeping the Y-Knot in the water during the winter and wonder if anyone has any suggestions on keeping the engine compartment and waterlines from freezing apart from completely draining the water tank and bleeding the lines. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[Zundels]

In Kodiak, AK we drain all the lines and fill with antifreeze. In the cabin we use a West Marine dehumidifier all the time to keep the cushions dry and a West Marine heater that comes on when the temperatures get below 38. This has worked well for us.

 

[Bruce Moore]

We've kept an R-25 in the water for 3 years, and now an R-29 in the water for a year. We're moored in Elliott Bay Marina.

Like Zundels, we use a West Marine dehumidifier. This keeps the ambient temperature above the dew point so we don't have any condensation problems. When freezing temperatures are forecast, we run an electric heater which also comes on around 38 degrees. We prop the head door open to improve circulation to the fittings in that space.

We don't use anti-freeze, and haven't done anything for the engine compartment. The water temperature is always above 50 degrees, so the spaces below the water line don't seem to be affected by the air temperature. We haven't had a problem, even in the year we had significant snow fall. But, I would make sure the anchor locker drain is not plugged. Snow melt can accumulate and leak over the locker well walls.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Irish Mist]

I need to move there .. Sounds a lot easier in the winter 😉

 

[Stella Maris]

Rick and Becky,
We spent two winters aboard Karma, our R-29, in the Port Orchard Marina. As Bruce stated, the water will remain at or just above fifty degrees through most of the winter. Only twice did we see the water freeze in Port Orchard. Once when it dropped to 14 degrees for two days and the other time when it dropped to 18 degrees overnight.

While we do not run a dehumidifier, we do run a Delongi Oil Filled Radiator Heater that we leave on a very low setting when away. This unit produces a dry heat that not only warms the cabin but also dries it. This kept Karma from going much below 50 degrees on the interior (which was important when you return at 1:00 am and it is time to climb into bed.....) Now we also have an electric mattress pad that warms the bed nicely before you get in....

We used Karma extensively through out the winter enjoying the peace and solitude that can only come in the winter months. The anchorages and marinas are empty. The small towns are all begging for visitors. You will meet world travelers that have chosen our little part of the world to winter over in. We once met Alvah and Diana Simon who have written a number of books on their travels aboard their sailboat from the Artic to Antarctica! They were gracious enough to spend a couple of hours aboard Karma telling us their stories personally!

So, my answer to winterizing...... just go cruising!

We currently plan to use Destiny all winter long with a South Sound Cruise planned for the week between Christmas and New Years. New Years Eve will be celebrated on Blake Island with a few other hearty soles who plan to join us.

Enjoy,
David and Maureen

 

[rjohnson58]

Thank you all for the information. It sounds like I am doing the right thing by just using a couple of dehumidifiers and a golden rod in the engine compartment and keeping the doors and cabinets open to let air circulate. 🙂