Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
While seeking a home port for the winter in NC/SC region I wanted to ask folks form warmer states, how do you prep your boats for the warmer (compare to Northeast) winter storage while leaving your boat unattended for a while?
Of course the idea of storing in warmer waters is to avoid the real winterizing process all together. But, I just want to know what you do different?
I’ll start with some high level items and let’s see what we can add:
Maintenance – I guess this is not much different and you do most of your maintenance items like oil sampling and changes and everything else.
Engines and Generator – I assume that nothing is done to winterize the engines and genny. I’m installing block heaters (on mains and genny) and hope that it should handle the TEMPs and humidity in the ER. Do I need anything else? I know that some people also add boatsafe heaters, will I need them as well or the block heaters will handle it?
Do you guys cover the vents with some canvas covers or foams to keep the cold air out or with the oil pan heaters this will not be necessary?
Engine Zincs – I always change mine in spring to be ready for new season. So, I thought changing them before winter storage might be good time. Then, I’ll check those that ware off faster in late spring. Is this what you guys do or do you just keep a particular schedule regardless of the season?
Seacocks – Do you close any of the saecocks? I know that it’s kind of loaded question and some folks closed them even when they leave the boat for a week. During the season I never close my seacocks. I guess, theoretically, it might be a good idea to close them for mains, genny and head discharge (this one is closed most of the time anyway).
Fridges – If you don’t boat for over a moth do you still leave your fridges running or do you defrost them and leave the doors open/secured?
A/C-Heat – I always use HU mode when I leave the boat in the spring or fall. I’m not sure that this can be used when the temps drop in the winter. Know that some folks just use the heat cycle and add oil filled electrical heaters by setting all to 50 degrees. Is this the normal procedure for the most of you?
What happens when the temps take a plunge during few cold nights in Jan/Feb, does the boat’s heating units shut down with some error code and then you rely on the electrical heater to kick in as the backup unit? If the boat’s heater stops with an error code related to cold temps, does it recover automatically or does it have to be manually reset?
I only had my A/C shutdown once with, if I recall, LO/PS error and it stayed that way until I reset it manually. It’s not a big deal during boating season when we’re back on the boat the following weekend. But, I guess this could be a problem when the boat sits for a month or more unattended. How do you manage this?
I know that our units are programmable, do you change the HU or any other programs or it doesn’t make sense to mess with it?
Humidity and Air Circulation – How do you control it? Do you also use “no damp” buckets or do you use some sort of dehumidifier?
Do you add some electrical fens to keep the air moving? I guess, those that use dehumidifiers don’t need fens.
Fresh Water – I assume most people don’t use antifreeze, but do you at least drain the tanks (FW and HWH) and open the faucets? Or do you blow the lines and HWH with a compressor?
Exterior – Most people in northeast don’t wax the boat before winter storage and even washing it becomes more and more of a useless exercise, b/c the shrink wrapping guys make your boat filthy and you’re just happy they don’t break anything. Now that this is not the case I thought that give her a good wash and wax would be the most appropriate.
However, we all know that most waxing products don’t hold too long, do you re-apply every couple of months? I wasn’t sure how practical will this be when it gets colder. For example, if I wax her last week of Oct, then she’ll be due by the end of Dec. I’m sure this is when the temps will drop low and applying the wax may not work so well. How you guys manage your gelcoat during the winter?
Bottom Growth – Do most of you hire a diving service on a monthly basis to clean the bottom or is it not necessary during the colder months (Dec/Jan/Feb)?
So far this is all I can think of from the top of my head. Please add if I missed something important.
Looking forward for you comments.
Of course the idea of storing in warmer waters is to avoid the real winterizing process all together. But, I just want to know what you do different?
I’ll start with some high level items and let’s see what we can add:
Maintenance – I guess this is not much different and you do most of your maintenance items like oil sampling and changes and everything else.
Engines and Generator – I assume that nothing is done to winterize the engines and genny. I’m installing block heaters (on mains and genny) and hope that it should handle the TEMPs and humidity in the ER. Do I need anything else? I know that some people also add boatsafe heaters, will I need them as well or the block heaters will handle it?
Do you guys cover the vents with some canvas covers or foams to keep the cold air out or with the oil pan heaters this will not be necessary?
Engine Zincs – I always change mine in spring to be ready for new season. So, I thought changing them before winter storage might be good time. Then, I’ll check those that ware off faster in late spring. Is this what you guys do or do you just keep a particular schedule regardless of the season?
Seacocks – Do you close any of the saecocks? I know that it’s kind of loaded question and some folks closed them even when they leave the boat for a week. During the season I never close my seacocks. I guess, theoretically, it might be a good idea to close them for mains, genny and head discharge (this one is closed most of the time anyway).
Fridges – If you don’t boat for over a moth do you still leave your fridges running or do you defrost them and leave the doors open/secured?
A/C-Heat – I always use HU mode when I leave the boat in the spring or fall. I’m not sure that this can be used when the temps drop in the winter. Know that some folks just use the heat cycle and add oil filled electrical heaters by setting all to 50 degrees. Is this the normal procedure for the most of you?
What happens when the temps take a plunge during few cold nights in Jan/Feb, does the boat’s heating units shut down with some error code and then you rely on the electrical heater to kick in as the backup unit? If the boat’s heater stops with an error code related to cold temps, does it recover automatically or does it have to be manually reset?
I only had my A/C shutdown once with, if I recall, LO/PS error and it stayed that way until I reset it manually. It’s not a big deal during boating season when we’re back on the boat the following weekend. But, I guess this could be a problem when the boat sits for a month or more unattended. How do you manage this?
I know that our units are programmable, do you change the HU or any other programs or it doesn’t make sense to mess with it?
Humidity and Air Circulation – How do you control it? Do you also use “no damp” buckets or do you use some sort of dehumidifier?
Do you add some electrical fens to keep the air moving? I guess, those that use dehumidifiers don’t need fens.
Fresh Water – I assume most people don’t use antifreeze, but do you at least drain the tanks (FW and HWH) and open the faucets? Or do you blow the lines and HWH with a compressor?
Exterior – Most people in northeast don’t wax the boat before winter storage and even washing it becomes more and more of a useless exercise, b/c the shrink wrapping guys make your boat filthy and you’re just happy they don’t break anything. Now that this is not the case I thought that give her a good wash and wax would be the most appropriate.
However, we all know that most waxing products don’t hold too long, do you re-apply every couple of months? I wasn’t sure how practical will this be when it gets colder. For example, if I wax her last week of Oct, then she’ll be due by the end of Dec. I’m sure this is when the temps will drop low and applying the wax may not work so well. How you guys manage your gelcoat during the winter?
Bottom Growth – Do most of you hire a diving service on a monthly basis to clean the bottom or is it not necessary during the colder months (Dec/Jan/Feb)?
So far this is all I can think of from the top of my head. Please add if I missed something important.
Looking forward for you comments.