First timer trying to winterize '99 330 Sundancer (VDrive)

[Its Millie Time]

I bought my first boat May 2015 and now comes the fun part of boat ownership, winterizing. I have a 1999 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer and I am looking for some tips with winterizing. The boat was pulled last weekend and is now on blocks. I have gasoline engines (7.4 Merc) with V drive. I have no idea even how much antifreeze i need.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Dan

 

[JimG]

Do you know if your engines are Horizon (closed cooling with anti-freeze)?

There are several threads here on winterization...

http://clubsearay.com/forumdisplay.php/30-Winterizing

 

[gerryb]

My recommendation is that if you haven't winterized a boat before, be careful proceeding on your own the first time. Typically I'll suggest having a experienced shop or mechanic do it for you the first time, allowing you to ask him questions and get to understand what/how he does it. At least consider having them do the engines and genset the first year as an error there could be very expensive. Another idea is to have a DIY boater friend with a boat close to the same size as yours (similar systems) do it with you and step you through.

In any event, here are the systems you need to be concerned about:

Engines
Genset
Fresh water system (easy to forget something here!)
fresh water pump
sump pump
AC water pump
AC water lineset
all Engine room or bilge strainers
sinks
head
head tank and discharge pump
shower sump(s) and drain/hoses
hot water heater (drain and bypass)
AC condensate pans
deck discharge drains
discharge drains from fridge or freezer
icemaker

 

[LTD.330]

When winterizing your water system don't forget to flush the head. This is important, ask me how I know.

I pay the marina to winterize the engines, genny, and AC system. I do the rest, water system (includes transom shower and cockpit sink), ice maker, head, and shower sump.

I bought some parts at a hardware store and made an adapter to where I can hook up my air compressor to the dockside water inlet. I pump out the water tank and blow all of the water out of the lines. Saves many gallons of pink. Speaking of pink, I only use one gallon. I drain and clean the shower sump box, pour about a quart of pink down the shower drain in the head and manually pump that out of the sump. The other 3/4 gallon of pink goes in the head after I pumpout/rinse the holding tank.

 

[Westie]

Don't forget to fog the engines.

 

[rcknecht]

3 Gallons for the genny, 4 each for the mains, and a gallon for sinks and sumps... I use my compressor to blow out the AC, and water system... But, as was said above... Get someone who knows what he is doing to help you. I installed hose fitting on all my raw water inlets to my winterizing easy... I also winterize in the water, whic requires some additional steps... BTW pink AF is available at Walmart for $2.58 a gallon...

 

[msballin]

I'd suggest not using the pink from walmart to winterize your engines or genny. It states clearly on the label not to do so. I've used starbright at the recommendation of my mechanic. Rest of systems such as water systems and a/c and pumps are fine. Though for an extra $20, why skimp?

 

[Soul Mate II]

Dan,

I have the sister boat, same year but the 34 foot. How did you make out winterizing? 2 Questions - did you find any drain plugs on the engine or exhaust to drain sea water out of it? Also, we you did the water system/ head, I assume you pumped out, ran the water out of the system and added AF. Did you exercise/ use the macerator? I am getting to mine now and have done so much reading it's confusing with all the engine/ system types out there.

Thanks