Need Some Advice & Counsel on winterizing...
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10-01-2016 11:26 AM
Need Some Advice & Counsel on winterizing a fresh water system on a 2001 Sea Ray 280 SS.
Would appreciate comment as to the adequacy of my intended plan, what needs to change and suggestions as to anything else I may need to do to ensure the system is adequately protected. There are tree sinks, a Vaccu-flush head, a 24 gal fresh water tank, a 20 gal waste holding tank and a transom sprayer. My planned sequence of steps is as follows:
1. Flush toilet several times
2. Pump out holding tank
3. Empty fresh water tank & system by running faucets until water tank is empty
4. Drain remaining water from fresh water tank into bilge compartment
5. Add 1-2 gal antifreeze to fresh water tank & 1 gal directly into toilet
6. Flush toilet and run all (3) sink faucets and transom sprayer until antifreeze is seen
Thank you
Dennis (Buffalo, NY)
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10-01-2016 02:02 PM
This only needs to be posted once.
My assumption is that there is a water heater, but not shown on your list. Water heater yes or no?
The plan is generally good. It will displace water w/ the potable-type antifreeze.
The Vacuflush toilet system must be protected properly.
There is the toilet in the head which needs antifreeze run through the potable water valve and passages.
There is also the vacuum generator and tank in the bilge that also need protection. Does the boat have a direct overboard macerator discharge?
Dumping a gallon of antifreeze into the bowl of the toilet will generally provide winter freeze protection. On my boat I periodically disassemble the tank and vacuum generator for a good scrubbing. I think that helps long term operation and part longevity.
It doesn't hurt to remove the aerator from the faucet fittings for a cleaning at that time.
My boat has a shower sump in the central bilge that I also clean and winterize, including running antifreeze through all the lines draining into the sump and having it pump out antifreeze.
The big issue is rain water entering the bilge. If rain water never enters the bilge then you're good. If it does, then this is a losing battle on a long cold winter.
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12-20-2016 02:40 PM
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12-20-2016 04:49 PM
The potable antifreeze was used by me on my boat for a half dozen years w/o any odor issue.
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12-22-2016 01:54 PM
The hot water tank retains less than a gallon, so blowing air through the hot water lines won't be as effective as the cold water lines.
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12-25-2016 05:28 PM
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03-05-2017 02:40 PM
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03-12-2017 05:05 AM
BTW, a salty old marine mechanic taught me a way to save a few bucks on engine winterization. He said to never use the pink AF for engine winterization because it provides no corrosion resistance and may ever promote it. He taught me to use the environmentally safe auto AF (Sierra or similar) mixed 50/50 with windshield washer fluid. Did that on all the boats, too, and never had a problem in the spring. Risers and manifolds lasted 10 years (Chesapeake Bay).
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03-12-2017 05:11 AM
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