Winterizing guide

Nice resourse, but the advise from the CSR site is better... Good thing about the winter is it gives me time to save money for gas...
 
sfergson727 said:
Here is the part that I think a lot of people here on CSR should read and take to heart, as there seems to be a lot of misunderstandings. SO READ THIS!!!!!!!!!

I've always used -100 anti-freeze, and am shocked by the number of people who just use the -50 around here and north. -50 is simply inadequate for the cold we could experience here in the northern states. You may get away with using it for a while, but mark my words, someday it will bite you in the butt.
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When did it ever go below -24 degrees where you live in Indiana? I've seen -21 on Chicago's North Shore. I've seen -10 in West Michigan along the Lake Michigan shore. Those are extreme lows for these areas. I use -50 in our guest cottage and have never had a problem in 32 years. It has both copper and plastic plumbing pipes.

People who have problems with -50 pink have not gotten their systems properly winterized.
 
The problem with anti-freeze is...well, it is 'anti-freeze' and has a lower freezing point but doesn't transfer heat as well as water which makes it a poor coolant for the engine. Also, consider that most makers of anti-freeze recommend a 50/50 solution because they actually sell their product in a concentrated form to reduce storage and shipping costs. The glycol molecules don't actually bond with water but are held in suspension creating 'gaps' and acting as a lubricant in which H2O can expand as the temperature drops. This extra space allows water more time to expand and reduces the chances for the formation of large, solid bodies...think slushies instead of ice cubes. If you run all 'anti-freeze', you risk running your system at a higher temperature than it was designed for which could affect performance and longevity.
 
This is all moot because of man made global warming. No need to worry any more.
 
sfergson727 said:
oopppsss, forgot about the B(g)ore factor....pretty soon we'll be enjoying our boats in february! I can't wait!!
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And we will be able to cruise the Arctic Ocean in January and see polar bears because Obama just placed 200,000 sq miles of Northern Alaska in "critical habitat status"!!! :smt009:smt013
 
AKBASSKING said:
And we will be able to cruise the Arctic Ocean in January and see polar bears because Obama just placed 200,000 sq miles of Northern Alaska in "critical habitat status"!!! :smt009:smt013
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You mean you guys don't drive up to ANWAR every Sunday to view the animals. I thought that's why we can't drill there, all the wild life that tourists go there to see. It's a national treasure, right...just like B of A and GM, right?


And look at you guys talking about global warming, it's so cute to see the commoners address such a complicated subject. It's getting colder Because of human caused global warning. "But that doesn't make sense!" you say. Hah! You commoners just aren't smart enough to understand! Only brilliant legislators and internet inventors are smart enough to understand.
 
sfergson727 said:
Here is the part that I think a lot of people here on CSR should read and take to heart, as there seems to be a lot of misunderstandings. SO READ THIS!!!!!!!!!

"Unfortunately, the level of protection offered by antifreeze solutions is often misunderstood. The quoted level of protection - "down to -50 F" - is derived from residential construction standards and is intended to mean that copper pipes will burst when the antifreeze in them reaches that temperature. The "-50 F" is a failure point, not a protection point.
The danger is that the plastic pipes, filter housings and pump bodies in marine use will be destroyed long before that level, so it's important to choose the type and strength of the antifreeze solution. You must assume that some water will remain in the system, which will dilute the antifreeze and raise its freeze point. The extra cost (about double) of "-100 F" antifreeze can be inexpensive insurance."

I've always used -100 anti-freeze, and am shocked by the number of people who just use the -50 around here and north. -50 is simply inadequate for the cold we could experience here in the northern states. You may get away with using it for a while, but mark my words, someday it will bite you in the butt.
Click to expand...


I think this article is mostly accurate but I think they overlook how RV antifreeze actually works. As the water in the mix begins to freeze the concentration of alcohol increases which continues to lower the freeze point of the remaining mix. During this time you have the slushy effect that most of us have seen. The burst point is actually the point at which expansion begins. Until the mixture is totally frozen and there is expansion there should be no damage to pipes, pumps, etc regardless of what material they’re made of.
 
This is one way to winterize.


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Did you hafta make the hole in the rear door way to get it to fit? Looks like the anchor might need to be removed to get the door down. Nice boat by the way!
 
OK just do what we should all know is best. Run the antifreeze thru your systems and then DRAIN it all out using the block plugs in the water jacket (use the hand pump in the newer Sea Ray mercs) and then blow out the water and AC systems.. This will make sure there is plenty of room if the slushie monster wants to visit because you did not put enough pink stuff. Make sure the holding tank, vacu flush tank, and the water tank have been drained and add some pink here too......good luck
 
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