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Does anyone know how many ice-eaters/de-icers I'll need for a 30 foot boat wintering on Lake Ontario? I can't seem to find any info on their operating radius. I've read of a 35 footer that operates two 3/4 HP ice-eaters.
I'm on a dock on the Occoquan (Potomac) R. in Va. My slip neighbor 3 slips down uses one de-icer and it keeps a large area pretty free, often to my boat (35' or so away) ... I don't know how to equate that, though, to Lake Ontario conditions which are much more severe (we don't ice in every winter) ... 2 de icers sounds like it could well be the ticket.
There happens to be a Kijiji ad up today with some information. After reading, you might want to go buy them (It's not my ad). Good luck.
Ad ID: 154196974
"Prevents Ice Damage to Boat, Docks, Piers and Boat Houses and Pond.
The Ice-Away De-Icer’s high speed motor driven propeller brings the warmer deep water to the surface. Typically a ½hp De-Icer will clear 2.4 meters (8') in diameter of water for every foot of propeller depth. In most cases, a De-Icer placed at a 1.5 meter (5') depth will keep a 12.2 meter (40') circle of water, ice-free during extremely cold temperatures."
I can't imagine doing this in Toronto. I have no experience in this, but what happens if there is a power failure, or any of a million other possibilities to knock out the system? How much time do you have before that lake crushes your hull like an egg shell? How often do you visit your boat in the dead of winter? If you can't detect and correct a problem in a lot less time than it takes to freeze up, I think I'd get a very good insurance policy.
It's hard to imagine but there's a community of about 500 boaters in the area who are year-round liveaboards, many winter on the water year after year. I wouldn't even try this if I wasn't living aboard myself, which I'm doing now. You are correct that you need to constantly monitor everything.
This would be my first time wintering on the water. I intend to ask some of these winter liveaboards and will let everyone know what the answers are. I do know that a 3/4 HP Ice-Eater will give me a 60 foot radius in ordinary conditions according to the maker, but the maker says nothing about under what conditions, so how does that work out in a Canadian winter of -30 Celsius...?
Great suggestion. I've been waiting a few days for them to accept my registration. Are you on the forum and, if so, could you give them a nudge for me? Thanks!
We use one (large) ice eater positioned off the bow and tied with three lines to "angle" the unit to acheive water flow down the entire hull. 50ft Sailboat and we have no problems keeping ice free. Make minor adjustments to the center "angle" line once you turn unit on as the ice eater will move forward and up slightly while operating. Do not let it get too close to the surface - it's designed to bring warm water up from bottom of river/lake to unfreeze surface. Ours rides about 2 ft under and works really well all winter. Takes a little "adjustment" to keep the unit from twisting the lines when you turn it on, but you'll get the hang of it. Keeps the boat a lot warmer also.
I have sailed for over 50 years and I use (2) 3/4 hp Kasco De-icers on my 30 ft sloop and they keep both my sailboat and dock clear of ice all winter long , I live here in N.Indiana and sail her out off New Buffalo,mi. I use two because if one goes down I will still have one working, and one will still keep an area of about 70 ft circle, you all need to go on the Kasco web site and watch there vid and how they used one 3/4 hp de-icer to keep open a breather hole for a whale rescue. Between my de-icers and a fellow about 15 slips down from me we keep the water open on C deck (50 slips) all winter long . about 3 years ago his de-icer went out and ice started to frezze up around his boat --about 4 inch and we made a 15 " hole and set a new one and about 1 day later ice was gone , watch there fid --- SEABEE
Put the deicer as deep as you can without fouling the propeller. It will be more effective the deeper it is. I usually let it hit the bottom then pull it back up about 2-3 feet.
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