West Marine brand -50 pink versus Seafit -50 pink

Pilot

Active Member
May 7, 2009
294
Chesapeake Bay
Boat Info
2009 370 Searay DA
V Drives
Engines
Twin 8.1's
I noticed West Marine has upped the price of their pink considerably. They also sell the SeaFit brand for @$2.50 less per gallon. Looks to be the same,, Any difference and can you use for both engine winterization as well as water systems? Hate to pay a premium if its the same. Thx
 
AF has gone up quite a bit this year, like everything else. Availability has been tough, too. Most retailers are scampering just trying to find product to sell. It could be the difference in price you see is simply the cost of WM slapping their name on it... or it could be that they just re-ordered new stock of that WM-branded stuff (I'm not sure who makes it for them) and the price had gone up again yet they still have a supply of SeaFit remaining at an older price.

But... to answer your question... if the SeaFit is "propylene glycol" then it will be fine to use. It can be used in BOTH the engines and the water system. "PG" is the key for the engines - for the water system it really doesn't matter and you could use the other kind and save a bit, if you wanted.
 
I use the WM -50 for my motors and generator. I just paid $6.49 a gallon back in early October. I see it's already gone up a dollar and ten cents. Last year it was $4.99 a gallon.

Then I buy the cheap $2.50 stuff from Walmart for the water system.
 
The SeaFit brand states "Not Recommended for Engines". I use a few gallons of the cheap stuff then folllow it with a couple gallons of -100. The cheap stuff is basically priming the system and flushing out the saltwater but gets flushed out by the -100.
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The product description for the SeaFit version on West Marine say NOT for use in engines.

I assume the WM stuff has some additional anti-corrosion package added. Also likely doesn't have alcohols, which can evaporate over the winter and leave systems unprotected.

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As noted AF prices are way up this year. I was not keen on spending $7.60 / gallon for AF this year, so arranged with my yard to tap into their supply. I used their pump to draw AF out of a 55 gallon drum into a couple of 5 gallon pails. They get to make some profit and I pay less than retail. Win/win.
 
Looks to be a formula for water systems only, not intended for engines.

I always wondered about this. As a disclaimer, it's CYA. I get that.

But when they say, NOT INTENDED FOR ENGINES

Are they trying to tell us not to use it to winterize an engine? Or are they saying (duh) don't use it in place of regular AF in a regular closed-system running engine>
 
I always wondered about this. As a disclaimer, it's CYA. I get that.

But when they say, NOT INTENDED FOR ENGINES

Are they trying to tell us not to use it to winterize an engine? Or are they saying (duh) don't use it in place of regular AF in a regular closed-system running engine>

It means use in fresh water systems only. Don’t use it to winterize an engine.
 
I always wondered about this. As a disclaimer, it's CYA. I get that.

But when they say, NOT INTENDED FOR ENGINES

Are they trying to tell us not to use it to winterize an engine? Or are they saying (duh) don't use it in place of regular AF in a regular closed-system running engine>

I have been using the Walmart Brand of Pink AF -50 for winterizing for years. They also have the "not intended for engines" disclaimer but the warning goes on to make it clear they mean the closed coolant antifreeze side.

-Kevin
 
The water only stuff is typically PG plus a low dosage blend of Ethyl Alcohol. The Marine engine/generator stuff is strictly PG with nothing added.

Thats why the water stuff is not for use in engines, as the ethyl alcohol can pose a danger
 
Looks to be a formula for water systems only, not intended for engines. Should work fine in the fresh water lines, head, etc. I wouldn't use it in an engine.
This is the data sheet. In full disclosure I have used this the last couple of years so I hope it’ll work again. Now I’m worried…Hoping isn't a good strategy.
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For the record, I’m in no way discounting any advice mentioned and not recommending my process, however the pink stuff I used above worked in my engine in MN. I’m late to the game in de-winterizing with other things going on, but the motor is tip-top and running great.

edit: I also do not use the tank method when winterizing. I drain the block, risers/water pump and give the engine a couple of bumps to get out any remaining water. I also pull the quick disconnect hoses under the manifolds and stick a small screw driver in there to dislodge any material and drain those then reconnect them. Then directly pour the anti-freeze in through the thermostat hose until it comes out the other side as well as directly pour it in the both riser hoses until it comes out the transom.
 
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