Knocking on the door to October...can't deny winterizing much longer

Heading to the boat this morning to complete the winterization process. I did the Freshwater systems, heads, sinks, forward bilges a couple of weeks ago. Today, we have the Mains, the Generator and the AC Systems. Truly a sad day. :(
 
This is my 4th time winterizing my 2004 420. The biggest pain in the a$$ has always been the AC system. Don't ask why, just go with it! ;). Last year, I forced Pink from the AC discharges backwards to the strainers. It worked very well, with the exception that I have a Starboard side tie T-Head slip. To get to the Port side discharges, I had to "spin" the boat. Not a deal breaker, but an extra step nontheless.

In the never ending search for perfection, this year, I bought a small bilge pump, and utilizing a 5 gallon bucket and a 12 volt battery that I had, a section of 1" vinyl tubing, and my Sea Flush (which I had, too), we pumped Pink from the strainer to the two discharges. Visual confirmation of Pink discharging overboard. Used less than 2 gallons. It was VERY simple.

Jaybeaux
 
This is my 4th time winterizing my 2004 420. The biggest pain in the a$$ has always been the AC system. Don't ask why, just go with it! ;). Last year, I forced Pink from the AC discharges backwards to the strainers. It worked very well, with the exception that I have a Starboard side tie T-Head slip. To get to the Port side discharges, I had to "spin" the boat. Not a deal breaker, but an extra step nontheless.

In the never ending search for perfection, this year, I bought a small bilge pump, and utilizing a 5 gallon bucket and a 12 volt battery that I had, a section of 1" vinyl tubing, and my Sea Flush (which I had, too), we pumped Pink from the strainer to the two discharges. Visual confirmation of Pink discharging overboard. Used less than 2 gallons. It was VERY simple.

Jaybeaux
How funny I almost made the same post today after winterizing yesterday. What I did do, which worked like a champ was I attached a hose to the spigot in the bilge. Seeing that I had already added pink to the freshwater system. I ran the hose to the the pick up hose of the ac which I removed from the seacock. Turned on the spigot and fired up the heat and low and behold it worked, pink flowed from the discharge. Done.
 
Since we're discussing winterization and it is all fresh in our minds, does anyone have a good method of removing the 6CTA 8.3L engine oil filters without spilling black diesel oil all over the place? I've tried plastic bags, boxes with absorbant pads, and a few others. No matter what we try, it is inevitable that we spill oil out of the filter, it runs down the sides, and gets difficult to handle.

My buddy and I were discussing this on the drive home yesterday, and I said that next year, I'm thinking about drilling a drain hole in the side of the old filter to make it "easier". Has anyone tried this?

Does anyone have method that works?

Jaybeaux
 
Since we're discussing winterization and it is all fresh in our minds, does anyone have a good method of removing the 6CTA 8.3L engine oil filters without spilling black diesel oil all over the place? I've tried plastic bags, boxes with absorbant pads, and a few others. No matter what we try, it is inevitable that we spill oil out of the filter, it runs down the sides, and gets difficult to handle.

My buddy and I were discussing this on the drive home yesterday, and I said that next year, I'm thinking about drilling a drain hole in the side of the old filter to make it "easier". Has anyone tried this?

Does anyone have method that works?

Jaybeaux
I just put a Pig pad on the stringer in the area under the filter and on the flat between the engines. I have a 5gal pail there to drop the filters into as soon as they're loose. When I'm spinning them off I'm doing it one handed with my hand under the end of the filter, the strbd side is the hard one of course. I get some oil on my hand but most times not a drop on the pads.

My method may not work for everyone without some additional training.
db_wristcurl2.jpg

When I near the filter coming loose I don't let it the weight drop onto my hand suddenly. At that point I'm pushing up on the filter until I'm sure it's loose, then I let it down. You have better control/balance of it that way.

I fill the new filters with oil and install them the same way.
 
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Since we're discussing winterization and it is all fresh in our minds, does anyone have a good method of removing the 6CTA 8.3L engine oil filters without spilling black diesel oil all over the place? I've tried plastic bags, boxes with absorbant pads, and a few others. No matter what we try, it is inevitable that we spill oil out of the filter, it runs down the sides, and gets difficult to handle.

My buddy and I were discussing this on the drive home yesterday, and I said that next year, I'm thinking about drilling a drain hole in the side of the old filter to make it "easier". Has anyone tried this?

Does anyone have method that works?

Jaybeaux

Yes, I do that, works fairly well for me.
I loosen the filter about a 1/4 turn, just enough that I will be able to turn it by hand but no leaks. Punch a hole in the side with whatever you got that will make a hole about the size of a 10d nail about a half inch up from the bottom or so. Oil runs out into a container, turn the filter a little to allow air in the top and it really flows out. when it's down to a small trickle, turn filter back to almost stop the flow and screw in a small sheet metal screw with a little piece of paper towel on it as a gasket.
Filter is clean and dry at the top where I handle it and it's 3 quarts lighter.
 
I have a 5gal pail there to drop the filters into as soon as they're loose. I fill the new filters with oil and install them the same way.

I do the same thing... holding bucket under the filter
 
Man, if I showed that picture to the wife, I am screwed!!! BEAUTIFUL BOAT.
O boy, The wife saw me looking at this boat again. She say's, I want it, I say, we are just getting use to the 320, she say's look at all that room, I want it, I say, look at the added operating expense, she said, I love it, I said, we won't be able to store it in our pole barn, she said, I love it, I said, awe never mind.....it's gonna be a long winter!
 
O boy, The wife saw me looking at this boat again. She say's, I want it, I say, we are just getting use to the 320, she say's look at all that room, I want it, I say, look at the added operating expense, she said, I love it, I said, we won't be able to store it in our pole barn, she said, I love it, I said, awe never mind.....it's gonna be a long winter!
Maybe you should show her a different boat, here's one:p
9-25-17 Port Superior.jpg
 
Well, at least that would get her off my back
It's blue.

I can tell you what would happen. She'd want to go look at boats during the winter...just to see. She'd tell you if she saw one she'd probably find there are things she doesn't like about it, then she could forget about it, she'd have some closure so to speak.

Haa, don't fall for it, it's a trick and you'll be raising you pole building up first thing in the spring to make room. Don't ask me how I know this.
 
It's blue.

I can tell you what would happen. She'd want to go look at boats during the winter...just to see. She'd tell you if she saw one she'd probably find there are things she doesn't like about it, then she could forget about it, she'd have some closure so to speak.

Haa, don't fall for it, it's a trick and you'll be raising you pole building up first thing in the spring to make room. Don't ask me how I know this.
Exactly!!! We are currently designing our retirement home to be built just outside of Washburn. Now I understand why she is pushing me to build a 100' x 80' attached storage/shop.
 

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