Winterizing the fw system while still using the boat?

[rbryn]

We keep the boat in the water year round. It is rare that we see days or nights at the Marina Below 32 degrees. we use the boat all winter long.

On those rare nights when it does get cold enough to cause concern we run the cabin heater and a bilge heater.

The question is what to do with the freshwater system above deck at the wet bar and rinse down. Is there something that can be added that won't require the while system to be flushed.. Thought about dumping a fifth of cheap rum in the system that I got for Christmas

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[scoflaw]

It's gonna take longer than 1 nite in the mid 20's to break things. We don't sweat weather like that up north. You've got that warm water your boat is sitting in to help as well.

 

[sdarc]

Someone on here suggested turning off the water pump open the faucets below and at the bar and shower. This should drain the system in the lines of MOST of the water that is open to the cockpit. It's what I'm doing this year. With the bilge heater and cabin heater and the warm water temps everything should be fine.
I have a cheap thermometer that records temps in the bilge and the cockpit. Bilge stays at 44-46 and the cockpit has ranged from 32-103 this winter so far. Sensor gets a bit warm under the canvas in the sun:wow:

 

[Henry Boyd]

A couple of thoughts. Get an inexpensive 12 volt air pump/ tire inflator. Make up an adapter to mate the dock water inlet. As you leave the boat, pressurize the water system and the blow out the lines you are worried about. You don't have to get everything, just make enough space for expansion if they do freeze. The other idea is to simply leave the water dripping from the faucets (if you are on dock water). As long as the water is moving it won't freeze.

Henry

 

[Gimme Time]

Another option is to locate all your feed lines and do some piping modifications down below so you can cut off wash down, outside shower, sinks and anchor wash down so you can drain those areas of concern. By making piping changes and installing cut off valves and drain down lines it allows me to keep the water on and use the boat year round. We do have belly pan heaters installed on the 2 kitty cats which keep the engine room nice and toastie.

 

[Morgan Jane]

I drained the water tank and I put 10 gallons of the pink stuff in the water tank and keep on trucking. I ain't showering, drinking it or washing my hands, but everything else is normal. If I get low, I put a few more gallons in the tank. That way, I don't have to remember to do anything when I leave. I just walk off the boat and go. I keep the Pink stuff in the engines and generator. And if I happen to use the AC/heat system, I have caps on top of the strainers that allows me to hook a reversed shop vac to and just blow the AC lines clean. Then I squeeze the discharge hose while I close the thru hull. Squeezing the discharge hose forces the air out the bottom of the boat and clears the hose from the thru hull to the strainer. Literally takes 30 seconds. The water temp here is 50 degrees, so the units are still making plenty of heat.

Bill

 

[rbryn]

Thanks for the replies.

Since I only have to worry about the ones above deck - think I'll give the sdarc's recommendation and turn off the pump, open the lower faucets to drain the systems on the deck. if it gets too cold for too long we'll drop some glycol in there.

thanks