Is Winterizing Needed Even for Heated Storage?

[320Bob]

On the advice of the Chicago Sea Ray Service Manager, I went ahead and had them winterize the boat before going into heated storage. What he said, which made complete sense to me, is you winterize not just to prevent freezing but also to provide corrosion protection to those systems that use water. The engines are fresh water cooled so the blocks already have antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors. The reason I chose heated storage was to reduce thermal changes on the boat and prevent excess moisture over the winter.

My basic question for the future is two fold. First, is the corrosion protection that critical over the winter? Second, if the first is true, am I really wasting money on heated storage and would be just as well off with unheated covered storage?

 

[Redhook98]

It's definately better protected! But in my opinion a little of an overkill. I never winterize. Instead I heat the engine room and cabin, and make sure I run the engines and gen at least every few weeks. I like to take it out at least every month or so. (As long as there is no ice in the river!!). Mine is raw water cooled and I am still on my original manifolds. Engines look great after 470 hours and 9 years. Boat is still spotless. (In the water 365 days a year, but has a covered slip)

BUT, in saying that..... Yours after 9 years will probably be a little shinier and better smelling due to the diligent care you take of her while winterizing. It's a trade-off I guess.

 

[SeaRay]

I agree with winterizing and warm storage. I think the corrosion protection and minimal temperature changes on the boat are ideal.

I keep my boat in an attached insulated garage. It is not heated but it does stay above freezing. We store drinks and water out there and they never freeze. Even when it gets below zero.

BUT...if my kids were to leave the garage door open for a few hours on a really cold day it probably would.

Or, what happens if your storage unit losses power and the heat isn't on?

 

[JV II]

Ever had an ice storm up in Illinois? Power go out? I doubt the boat warehouse would be high on the priority list for Ameren to restore power.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

After paying almost $3G for indoor heated storage, I'm not about to pay to winterize when heated storage is guaranteed. The mains and genny are closed cooling so no worries there, and with the temps being around 50 degrees not much is going to grow in the raw water parts(also being in total darkness). The raw water is also not salt or I'd be more concerned about corrosion and flush first.

I've done this now for years without any issues with engines or fresh water systems - ever.:grin:

 

[sbw1]

We have not winterized in years but have very reliable storage at North Shore Marina in Grand Haven. We do all the other maintenance pretty much by the book. We keep our boats for about 10 years before buying new. We have never had a problem. The Chicago pitch sounds like a marketing story for the service department. Make sure the company has a reliable plan for utility failures. This is critical.

 

[320Bob]

We have not winterized in years but have very reliable storage at North Shore Marina in Grand Haven. We do all the other maintenance pretty much by the book. We keep our boats for about 10 years before buying new. We have never had a problem. The Chicago pitch sounds like a marketing story for the service department. Make sure the company has a reliable plan for utility failures. This is critical.

It may be that CSR's utility reliability plan is winterization.:smt089 However you point about checking what type of backup systems are in place is something I need to do at my new marina where dockage and storage are part of the same annual contract.

You mention that your storage facility is very reliable. Exactly what type of back up do they have so I can compare it with my marina where I will be storing the boat next winter.

Finally, am I to assume that since you have had no corrosion problems with your previous boats that having antifreeze in the lines does not afford enough if any additional protection to justify the cost? Also, do you drain all the water from the lines before putting it in storage?

 

[sbw1]

It may be that CSR's utility reliability plan is winterization.:smt089 However you point about checking what type of backup systems are in place is something I need to do at my new marina where dockage and storage are part of the same annual contract.

You mention that your storage facility is very reliable. Exactly what type of back up do they have so I can compare it with my marina where I will be storing the boat next winter.

Finally, am I to assume that since you have had no corrosion problems with your previous boats that having antifreeze in the lines does not afford enough if any additional protection to justify the cost? Also, do you drain all the water from the lines before putting it in storage?

NSM is open year round Monday-Saturday. If there is a utility failure of any kind they will know about it almost immediately and fix it. They burn crankcase oil in their furnaces to keep things at 51 degrees and the buildings are well insulated, huge and very clean. The residual heat in the floors alone would keep the buildings above freezing for many hours if not a few days.

The corrosion issue is mitigated by using lots of fuel stabilizer in the fuel so the engines are protected by that and a lack of condensation caused by wide temperature variations. It's always 51 dgree in the buildings.

The seawater pick up lines are not drained and there is water in them all winter. The water probably gets a little stinky but this is not noticable at start up in the spring time. Water displaces air and any parts that remain underwater will not rust. We never replace manifolds in the Great Lakes because they last the life of the engine. (20 or more years).

We run our fresh water tank and faucets dry, and just turn off the ice machine and dry out and clean the tray and bin to prevent mildew. The ice machine and refrigerators are put to bed absolutely bone dry to avoid mold. There is no need to blow out water lines.

For winterizing that's all we do. This has the added advantage of not needing techs on your boat with dirty shoes if you pull the boat on a rainy day.

We do all of the mechainical preventive maintenance at our dock before delivering the boat to NSM. This keeps things very clean for an easy spring cleanup.

 

[320Bob]

sbw1,
Thanks for the info. For your storage facility, they are not relying on gas or electric service for heat which gives them more control. For my new marina, which is also open year round, I will find out how they heat their storage building. If they use natural gas or propane with either a furnace or boiler some type electricity would be needed so I will ask if they have a back up generator.

If heat exchanger corrosion is not an issue with fresh water, then it appears winterizing would be a waste of money next year.

 

[sbw1]

sbw1,
Thanks for the info. For your storage facility, they are not relying on gas or electric service for heat which gives them more control. For my new marina, which is also open year round, I will find out how they heat their storage building. If they use natural gas or propane with either a furnace or boiler some type electricity would be needed so I will ask if they have a back up generator.

If heat exchanger corrosion is not an issue with fresh water, then it appears winterizing would be a waste of money next year.

Your utilities should be very reliable. We used to live in Winnetka and natural gas was never a problem. We did lose power occassionally during storms so power could be an issue that needs to be addressed. Depending on the quality of the building, power restoration should be accomplished before things freeze inside.