Winterizing Boats - Boat 101 - Episode 84 - Lady K Sailing

[@wow.sailor.]

It's nice to learn how and when to do and maintain everything on the boat,

[@svechappe6075]

For Great Lakes winters, recommend -100F as opposed to -50F RV antifreeze for the engine. Also, as opposed to running "red pop" thru your domestic water system, invest in a small air compressor and blow out the water system to avoid having to purge the antifreeze in the spring, which takes forever and you never really get it all out. Plus it avoids having to bypass the hot water heater. Red pop in the hot water heater equals sulphur stink the next summer.

[@chriskirchner5094]

Aaah, damn! That’s where that smell was coming from? Wow! My first boat and that’s what the previous owner must have done last year! I could not for the life of me figure out why! Unfortunately, I guess I’ll have the same problem next year...!!!

[@SailingPauHana]

CHRIS KIRCHNER you can flush it out, it just takes a few times.

[@chriskirchner5094]

SAILING PAU HANA ya, I’m going to have to do a LOT more flushing next year!

[@svechappe6075]

@@chriskirchner5094 Yeah, we stopped using anti-freeze to winterize our domestic water system years ago after living with residual effects the following summer, especially the sulfur smell in the hot water side. After running all the water out of the main tank(s) in the fall, we drain the hot water tank into the bilge, close the drain and then use a small air compressor connected to the main supply lead coming out of the pressure water pump to lightly pressurize the system and then open each faucet individually to blow the remaining water out while maintaining 15-20 psi. Been doing it that way for 15 years. On our current boat we used the same method to winterize the freezer and the A/C units. The only place we use the red pop is in the heads after the holding tank has been pumped out, flushing two gallons thru each. For the engine, we use -100F RV antifreeze. You have to ask for it at the counter of your auto parts store as they typically only stock a few gallons at any given time. Using -50F in the engine is a bit risky in my opinion in the Great Lakes because temps can go down to -25F and at that temp, the -50F will start to gel whereas the -100F stuff will stay liquid.

[@mrwrapper]

I avoid removing the hose by filling the antifreeze into the engine strainer. Make sure it goes to the saildrive and engine. Used the pink stuff from Canadian Tire in Montreal and never had a problem.

[@henryv9184]

I am in Bayfield just up the coast. We typically leave the mast up,and use two tarps to cover the top side of the boat. I’ve found that it is best for the boat to breathe during the winter. Regarding the sucking of anti freeze into the engine. I do the same thing but instead of disconnecting and reconnecting the hose from the engine, I simply create an airtight suction at the thru hull and have a short hose sitting in the container of antifreeze.

[@jeffeaton701]

Thanks so much, Tim! Currently in Athens in the midst of a boat purchase in Preveza, Greece. (36' Bavaria) If all goes well, we should be buttoning up the purchase this next week, following a successful survey and sea trial. I'll be responsible for completing the winterizing and getting her sail ready, prep actions this next Spring. Your video was a huge help to alleviating my stress levels!! Cheers to you and yours!

[@Russellsperry]

I’m a mechanic/boat enthusiast that has never worked on a sailboat, but this is beautiful advice! I’m about to buy a sailboat, and do the exact same thing you’re doing.

[@jasonscott6731]

She's a great boat Tim. Down in the maritimes its common to shrink rap the boats , some leave them in year round (it has been warmer the past ten years) but some of the marinas have a bubbler system that is basically a perforated line around your boat that has air pumped through it, the idea is that the water constantly moving won't freeze. Seems to work but there is frost and humidity in the boat I find.

[@richardstevenson7336]

I enjoy your programs I can understand you even though your Canada . Your explanation are down to earth for novice like me who is thinking of getting into sailing late in life but not to late.

[@lucasbrothers2753]

You are a great source of sailing info , you have rekindled my passion for sailing , now if i can just figure out how to get my boat out of my back yard.

[@CheersWarren]

Nice job Tim, It's hard to say whats right for bilge pump. I burned one out in winter as it jammed on , ice in float , don't know , but winter destroyed it. ( I had bad cover). A 'garboard drain' is a nice option to let water drain out of bilge. But a good cover will keep that water out of the bilge. Then the dry winter air takes care of bilge in water if you leave floors boards open for ventilation.( unless your in damp UK!). Cheers Warren

[@lubberwalker]

Heheh. I didn't know water could be diluted. But good fast, non-boring coverage of winterizing.

[@garyryan8082]

Always good information. Love the episodes, and glad that you and Candice are back together. We just purchased a Hunter Sailboat and look forward to doing this ourselves in the near future! We'll be starting out our adventure on Lake St. Clair. Thanks again Tim!

[@josephhnat2975]

Thanks for this one, Tim. This is my first year where the marina doesn't offer winterizing with the haul out and I find myself hoping I did it all right.

[@jimfromri]

Another very informative video. Thanks Tim!

[@estrelladelmar6466]

Sweet boat "Fort".

[@shayansartipi5602]

Thank you for such awesome and comprehensive video !

[@robertflindall4692]

Another great video Tim! I'm looking forward to hearing what your plan is for sailing in 2020.

[@andrewkusminsky2248]

Have you done a series on sails and winter storage for sails? Do you remove them on the hard? Etc.

[@ebphinn]

Great episode Tim. I am currently binge watching your whole journey. I did a very similar one as well. We were in face anchored close to you in GT. I sent you some other information on Messenger last week too.

[@DarrenTroilo]

This is great, I can’t stop watching! Can you rent a boat in Florida and take it to Bimini and Freeport? We’ve always rented and picked the boat up in Tortola, but we really want to sail to our destination.

[@wanderingwithjenny671]

Just found your channel today and going through your videos, so excited as this is something I want to do and so great seeing a Southern Ontario couple doing it. I'm from Colchester area and if you are planning on another trip in the spring I would love to pick you brain. Again great videos can't wait to see what you both plan to do next. 🇨🇦⚓

[@charlespayne1061]

Yep the Great dismal swamp will just wreck your motors filters! Is that a Blu colored yanmar?

[@philabbey3315]

Thanks Tim very informative as always. Just wondering when will you give us a sneak peak into 2020? Keep up the great work.👍

[@Mechone11]

Liquid toilet bowl cleaner takes the stain off used it for years so do allot of marinas when they pull boats

[@chriskirchner5094]

Regarding covers: after buying our boat last fall I had it wrapped with plastic and it cost over $700. Then in the spring all that plastic was just thrown in the garbage. I decided to buy a custom cover but it cost over $3000. Ya, pricy but it will pay for itself in about 6 years and there’s not all that plastic waste. I like the option you show. Looks sturdy but much lower cost.

[@jimagles1394]

For a raw-water cooled diesel, no anti-freeze will get in the engine water jackets unless the thermostat has been removed. It will all be going out the exhaust cooler.

[@mrwrapper]

Fully AGREE. Instead of removing the thermostat, I warm up the engine in the water or if on the hard I use a garden hose feeding (not pressurizing the water jacket) and warm up the engine for at least ten minutes. Then I run the antifreeze in.

[@pierremitham2964]

Up here on Lake Ontario I use the -100c stuff. The -50c stuff will still freeze in the weather we have in the winter. It just doesn't expand. The -100c stays "slushy"! I use 5 gallon bucket filled to the top with the antifreesze and run the whole thing through. Distilled water is best but not neccessary for FLA batteries. I used to work for a battery distributer and they used water straight from the tap! I also have a Tee fitting in my waterline after the tank and use compressed air to blow out my lines. I never seemed to be able to get the taste the antifreeze out of the system.

[@AndyStepan]

Love your videos. Quick question. The seacock that's bringing in the seawater - that should be closed for winter (as well as the other seacocks) correct? Thanks....my first year doing this.

[@bazsimoci68]

Hi Tim! I just want to know, is this pink stuff is ethilene-glycol base? Here in Hungary i can buy just regular antifreeze for car engines, it is poisonous and i think not so good idea to poor it to the water tank...

[@LadyKSailing]

Correct yes dont use automotive stuff in the water system if that be the case

[@alanlovesmusic6442]

Like the video. Always keep the tank full in the winter, car, truck, boat, whatever - especially diesel, even though most have water separators - would not want to replace the diesel in our truck :( With our camper, my Dad always said to plug up the outside holes with dish plastic scrubbies to prevent - mainly the mud daubers - from building. Any worries this time of the year with the thru-holes and bugs?

[@michaelstephan1289]

I had great success using toilet bowl cleaner to clean off the rust stains on my fiberglass hull

[@cocoandmeeko]

Great video as always! A quick question regarding your comment on leaving your solar panels hooked up during the winter. I understand the rationale that it would help keep the batteries charged up over the few months, however with canadian winters being what they are, how do you address the issue of snow covering up your panels? Keep up the great work!

[@duhe98]

You could use a old billboard as a tarp.

[@ericson26savannah86]

Why did you leave Florida its nice there!

[@pmc291]

What happened from the Erie Canal west to your home? Huge fail!

[@LadyKSailing]

It’s coming. Too much to process right now.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Lady K Sailing I was wondering too! 😁🛫

[@dylanboudreaux6054]

Does lady k have a frame and cover?

[@thomformichigan]

Good Video but you want to make sure that you are getting it through the engine also. Some will bypass if there is a thermostat

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks. K's engine is closed loop

[@thomformichigan]

@@LadyKSailing i saw that, I was just commenting for those that watched that have raw water with a thermostat like an Atomic 4. I am interested in what you do to maintenance the sail drive as I just bought a boat with one.

[@scottdurdle]

@@thomformichigan do you know if a 1985 Volvo 200-2 would have a thermo stat? Thx!

[@thomformichigan]

@@scottdurdle sorry not familiar with that engine and couldn't find a schematic with a quick google search

[@1detroitryder]

most marine or rv antifreeze is environmentally safe its perfectly fine to hit the ground or water

[@marclyonhardman]

Just guessing that the coolant in the engine is 50/50 and doesn't need draining?

[@LadyKSailing]

Correct

[@themillerspresents]

I would make sure the product you put through your heat exchanger on your engine is friendly to the metals it is constructed of. Many are made of aluminum. Not sure your rv antifreeze is the right product for that application.

[@lubberwalker]

How many of those sockets have you actually used? 🤔🔧

[@chriskirchner5094]

I’ve recently been told to not use the pink stuff containing ethanol in the boats plumbing because it can damage the rubber seals (even though the stuff I bought says good for cottages, RVs, and BOATS...). Any thoughts or comments?

[@LadyKSailing]

Hey. I’ve never hear that. Ever boat where we are used pink and I’ve always used it with no ill effect. Hrmm. I’ll do some research into that. I know ethanol is the cause of black rubber lines getting ruined on outboards and carbed cars from experience. I don’t have any black rubber lines however. The water system is 3/4” clear plastic.

[@auslander1026]

how to get rid of antifreeze from water tank in spring? it is methanol and toxic...

[@naps3386]

Someone on youtube did a corrosion test of different antifreezes for winterizing engines. I would NEVER use pink anti-freeze in an engine again, it corroded the worst.

[@gcanada3005]

I always thought the sailing term “winterizing” meant sailing to the Caribbean

[@MyBoatandMylife]

Go to a car part store and bay rim clearing spray, spray it on the Yellow waterline 👍

[@gary5831]

Turn the propane take to off...

[@Stoic-of-Rome]

Why did you head north into a canadian winter?

[@barryford1482]

Aircraft tanks are allways filled for the same reason because water in the fuel is not good on take off

[@ianallan2337]

Thermostat?

[@lubakaczmar3198]

Label on all pink stuff " do not use to winterize diesal engine"

[@bilsabo]

/wave