Winterizing Partial Fresh Water System


R

rwvw415

Member
I keep my boat in the water in a covered slip during our mild southern winters with marine heaters in the bilge and the salon so that I can use the boat on mild days during the winter.

My question is does anyone have tips on how to partially winterize the water lines to ensure the Anchor Wash Down, Ice Maker and Cockpit Sink does not freeze but I can still keep the salon area water pressured for the sinks, showers, and toilets or do I have to winterize the entire system?

How you you go about winterizing the cockpit AC unit?

Are there any Formula Videos or check sheets on line for this type of annual service?

Ray
 
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The AC units are pretty easy, I use sea flush, (google it), close sea cock, add antifreeze via sea flush to strainer, run AC until pink stuff comes out. Close everything off, shut down AC..done. Not sure how you would isolate parts of your fresh water system, without adding isolation valves and flush points. It's possible, but an awful lot of work.
 
Grand, good information thank you. How do you go about getting a gallon or two of the pink anti freeze in the the system? Earlier in the year I had to add some bleach to the system but that was not a lot but it took a long time adding it in the water hose a little at a time. Or do you just blow out your system with air?
 
When I had my 37PC I used an oil change bucket with a pump dedicated to winterization antifreeze only. I bypassed the water heater, after it was drained, then added a couple gallons to the holding tank. Using the onboard fresh water pump, ran thru the faucets and toilets to get pink. Only put enough to do the system, tried to not leave any excess in the holding tank. Don't forget the icemaker and windshield washer!

https://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-8050...change+system+for+boats&qid=1636563161&sr=8-7

Dave
 
My fresh water tank is under the forward berth. There is a 2" threaded plug on top of the tank, I can add to the tank easily that way. Also, I can use a shop vac to completely empty the tank from here.
 
I use something like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/lawn-garden/pumps/110-hp-transfer-pump-320-gph-63317.html

First I drain the fresh water tank. Then Run from a bucket of antifreeze right into the hose in the rear of the boat after bypassing and draining the hot water heater. Then just run each outlet until pink. I finally use the tank fill for about a gallon or two, then use the onboard waterpump to pump that out and through the main sink. It's then all full of antifreeze.
 
Getting back to the original topic, in order to partially winterize your system, you would have to install isolation valves on all lines you want to isolate.
 
Thanks TurboJoe. Im headed to HF in the morning. I can see a lot of uses for that portable pump. Thanks to everyone that is helping me get used to this new to me boat.
 
I have that pump, but opted for the 12v one since I use it to winterize my engines and I have 12v on board, but not 120v.

in hindsight, the 120v might be more useful as I also use it to winterize my shop sink lines each fall, but just rigged mine to a 18v DeWalt battery :cool:

if it dies some day, I'll probably get the 120v.

so yeah, get that one if you have easy 120v access.
 
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