Cover through-hull exhaust and drains?

[charlg]

I just had the boat shrink wrapped and wanted to know if anyone covers up all of the through-hull drains and the through-hull exhaust.

 

[charlg]

After searching the winterization forum, I see that some put steel wool on the exterior drain holes. I'll do that.

I can't find anything on Corsa exhaust through-hull though. Should they be plugged or covered?

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

You should cover up your engine vents on the hull sides to maximize any heater you have in the engine bay. But in my manual, it says to empty the tank of fuel as much as possible. I also keep my boat on a trailer.
It is suggested in my owners manual not to seal the air vent to the fuel tank.
However, I do tape over the vent to minimize water vapor getting inside despite my owners manual saying otherwise...

My thoughts are that all car gas tank systems are sealed so why not boat tanks? I understand the expansion/contraction of remaining gas but I also store my tanks empty as per my owners manual. Frozen air does not affect the expansion/contraction of boat fuel tanks...

As long as your thru hulls and drains have little to no water, no requirement to seal them unless you are afraid of critters making themselves at home...

 

[sbw1]

After searching the winterization forum, I see that some put steel wool on the exterior drain holes. I'll do that.

I can't find anything on Corsa exhaust through-hull though. Should they be plugged or covered?

Steel wool???????? Bronze maybe, but no steel unless you want to clean up a bunch of rust stains. I used to stuff clean rags in the exhausts and that was about it when storing outside.

 

[rondds]

Rags wrapped in plastic bags in the exhaust. Who needs cold damp winter air blowing up the exhaust into the cylinders at 40mph during a nor'easter? I never put anything in the other discharges (ac, shower sump, bilge pumps, etc) but they are covered by the winter cover.