My 260SD is my first boat and, after talking to some other boaters, was thinking about winterizing the fresh water system and head on my own to save about $200. I am still going to have my marina's service department winterize the engine.
Some people I have talked to said "simply drain all of the water from the fresh water tank and put antifreeze in it and run all faucets until antifreeze comes out". Did not talk to anyone about the head, however. So, after searching this forum for Q&A's on winterizing I still have some questions:
Fresh Water
=========
1. For the fresh water system on a 260, is it as simple as they said - "run the faucets until the tank is dry and then run until antifreeze comes out of ALL of the faucets?" or was that an oversimplification?
2. How much antifreeze should I put in the fresh water tank?
3. What type of anti-freeze should I use? I have a West Marine store nearby and can easily pick up whatever type is needed. I'm sure they could recommend something but I do not want them to over-state what is needed to make me spend more $$.
4. How difficult is it to de-winterize the fresh water system in the spring? I assume I do just the opposite by draining all of the antifreeze and filling with water and re-draining a few times until everything is clear. We do not drink the water from the fresh water system typically.
Head
====
I have the standard 260 head - non Vacuflush - with the 2 gallon holding tank and portable toilet. I can easily remove the seat and make sure it is dry inside and even leave the filler cap off over the winter to make sure it is bone dry. I have already flushed/drained the holding tank from our last trip.
1. Can I use the same anti-freeze as I use for the fresh water system?
2. Should I put the full 2 gallons of antifreeze in the holding tank?
3. Should I put some antifreeze (1/2 gallon) in the holding tank then suck it all out to make sure it permeates the flush pipe? Does that even make sense or is it a little overboard?
Is there anything I have missed? I really hate to screw this up and cause damage.
Thanks in advance for any replies, advice, hints, or even ridicules .
Some people I have talked to said "simply drain all of the water from the fresh water tank and put antifreeze in it and run all faucets until antifreeze comes out". Did not talk to anyone about the head, however. So, after searching this forum for Q&A's on winterizing I still have some questions:
Fresh Water
=========
1. For the fresh water system on a 260, is it as simple as they said - "run the faucets until the tank is dry and then run until antifreeze comes out of ALL of the faucets?" or was that an oversimplification?
2. How much antifreeze should I put in the fresh water tank?
3. What type of anti-freeze should I use? I have a West Marine store nearby and can easily pick up whatever type is needed. I'm sure they could recommend something but I do not want them to over-state what is needed to make me spend more $$.
4. How difficult is it to de-winterize the fresh water system in the spring? I assume I do just the opposite by draining all of the antifreeze and filling with water and re-draining a few times until everything is clear. We do not drink the water from the fresh water system typically.
Head
====
I have the standard 260 head - non Vacuflush - with the 2 gallon holding tank and portable toilet. I can easily remove the seat and make sure it is dry inside and even leave the filler cap off over the winter to make sure it is bone dry. I have already flushed/drained the holding tank from our last trip.
1. Can I use the same anti-freeze as I use for the fresh water system?
2. Should I put the full 2 gallons of antifreeze in the holding tank?
3. Should I put some antifreeze (1/2 gallon) in the holding tank then suck it all out to make sure it permeates the flush pipe? Does that even make sense or is it a little overboard?
Is there anything I have missed? I really hate to screw this up and cause damage.
Thanks in advance for any replies, advice, hints, or even ridicules .