Inside Heated Storage - Tips - NEWBIE

[340Sundancer]

Hello Everyone! I hate that were talking about winter already. But I have locked in a hull out date for the end of September, just 5 weeks from now! UGH! Anyways, I am keeping my boat inside heated storage for the winter. This is my first winter for the boat, so I am a little inexperienced as what steps I need to follow. If you could give me any advice on what I should do prior to putting her away for the winter, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[JimG]

Even though you will put up in heated storage, I would still do some basic winterization... you never know when the storage might loose power.

I would also remove all paper, food and liquid products. All bedding and clothing should also be removed.

If you can plug into AC, top off the batteries with distilled water and run your battery charger.

 

[sbw1]

We put ours away clean inside and out. Do all of the engine maintenance, drain fresh water system and ice maker, defrost fridge and clean, pump head and sanitize the room and shower, bring sheets and related bedding home to wash. We install the seat covers and winter aft curtain. In the spring we wax the hull, splash it, turn the keys on and drive it to our home.

 

[rcknecht]

I you put inside you don't have to shrink wrap it, but you should have the canvas up or a cockpit cover on...
Sometimes there are birds inside or bats that will deposit on your boat... I blow out my AC and water lines with my compressor. I would winterize the genny and mains...

 

[Bt Doctur]

unless there is a person tending the wood burning stove all winter long, there is no such thing as heated storage when power goes out..
I worked the NY ice storm in Watertown in 92 and everyone was out of power for almost 3 months.
Winterize the systems for a worry free winter

 

[northshore]

unless there is a person tending the wood burning stove all winter long, there is no such thing as heated storage when power goes out..
I worked the NY ice storm in Watertown in 92 and everyone was out of power for almost 3 months.
Winterize the systems for a worry free winter

+1

Had the same questions last year when I went into heated storage and ended up doing the whole thing myself.

To do the fresh water and head/holding tank/ice maker requires almost no effort.
Blow the AC lines out with a shop vac and then all you have left to do is the engines and genny if so equipped.
I picked up a flush kit and with the help of one other person, it took about an hour.

If you enjoy sleepless nights, don't worry about winterizing :grin:

 

[340Sundancer]

So do you also put Stabilizer in the fuel? So, I will blow out the AC and water lines. but do you guys do anything to the engines and genny themselves?
The storage facility is staffed all winter, and has back up systems.

Any LAST advise is appreciated as I take the last 35 minute run across the lake from my summer slip to the winter marina tomorrow!

 

[northshore]

So do you also put Stabilizer in the fuel? So, I will blow out the AC and water lines. but do you guys do anything to the engines and genny themselves?
The storage facility is staffed all winter, and has back up systems.

Any LAST advise is appreciated as I take the last 35 minute run across the lake from my summer slip to the winter marina tomorrow!

As a lot of people mentioned - I do the full winterization even though I'm in heated storage. Makes it easier to sleep.
If you are not comfortable doing the engines, get someone to do it for you. Cheap insurance in case the power in your storage facility goes out for any length of time.
I've been using the valvetect fuel stabilizer - but yes!, use some kind of stabilizer.

Empty the fresh water system and then dump 5 gallons of pink in the deck fill, run the faucets till you get solid pink back out - dont forget the ice maker, transom shower and wet bar if you have them. Also the shower sump......

If you search around this thread, someone has put a full decommissioning check list out.

-Mike

 

[sbw1]

We stabilize even though our fuel has no alcohol in it. Our heated storage has ample protection from loss of heat and year round staffing. The shop is busier in the winter than any other time of the year, and the staff can fix about anything. The building is big and the concrete floor is a giant heat sink. Several days could pass before freezing would be concern if even then.