I'm leaving my W 27 in the water for the winter. I plan on attending to various projects while she's sitting mostly unused during the off-season.
While I don't specifically "live-aboard", I do/have spent nearly half my time aboard. I have used the head once in 6 months, as there's facilities ashore. I empty and change out/clean the fresh water tankage every two-three weeks.
I's like to have all the systems available during down time; but am loathe to come aboard to find frozen and leaking pipes. Is there a "best" way to partially winterize a boat?
The Beta20 has it's own supply of anti-freeze; but the water jacket/heat exchanger is fed by the thru hull and impeller. Then three's the matter of the water muffler and exhaust lines to be dealt with. While I don't have specific need to run the engine while there's snow falling, the option to be able to take advantage of a nice winter's day to sail does have appeal WITHOUT having to go thru a complete commission/decommission each time! :grrr:
*IF* II decide to close her down completely; what's the best way to freeze-proof the thru hulls? Rubber plugs from the outside and fill the lines down to the fittings with anti-freeze?. Fill down to the closed valves?
I plan to run a small heater when aboard and a bilge heater (60 w bulb?) when not there. 1500 w is all that's needed to keep the interior warm enuff for me. I plan on tenting it over and working topside occasionally utilizing a propane torpedo heater to take of the frost (only topside, with venting, of course!).
What's the consensus of those staying in the water over the cold times?
TAI,
Paul
While I don't specifically "live-aboard", I do/have spent nearly half my time aboard. I have used the head once in 6 months, as there's facilities ashore. I empty and change out/clean the fresh water tankage every two-three weeks.
I's like to have all the systems available during down time; but am loathe to come aboard to find frozen and leaking pipes. Is there a "best" way to partially winterize a boat?
The Beta20 has it's own supply of anti-freeze; but the water jacket/heat exchanger is fed by the thru hull and impeller. Then three's the matter of the water muffler and exhaust lines to be dealt with. While I don't have specific need to run the engine while there's snow falling, the option to be able to take advantage of a nice winter's day to sail does have appeal WITHOUT having to go thru a complete commission/decommission each time! :grrr:
*IF* II decide to close her down completely; what's the best way to freeze-proof the thru hulls? Rubber plugs from the outside and fill the lines down to the fittings with anti-freeze?. Fill down to the closed valves?
I plan to run a small heater when aboard and a bilge heater (60 w bulb?) when not there. 1500 w is all that's needed to keep the interior warm enuff for me. I plan on tenting it over and working topside occasionally utilizing a propane torpedo heater to take of the frost (only topside, with venting, of course!).
What's the consensus of those staying in the water over the cold times?
TAI,
Paul