www.iFourWinns.com

About half the people at my marina use antifreeze in the water system. I am one that does, just because it would be my luck that the year I don't, something will happen. With that being said, I can't recall anyone who chooses not to winterize the fresh water tank having any trouble come Spring. This past winter was one of our coldest, and my neighbor who just bought a new 37ft Chaparral didn't do anything (didn't even know you should), and had zero issues.

I agree with Winedown. I just have bottled water on board and use that for washing hands, brushing teeth, etc. I don't use the head either in winter, I just walk down to the marina restrooms.

_________________

2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Kent...I was hoping you would chime in....

I think I am going to go the route of not winterizing it. Since we leave the heater on at 55 degrees, and have the bilge heater running, I am comfortable in the belief that it would take more than a few days of below freezing temps to do any damage. If it gets to that point, I will run up and dump some anti freeze in it.

This past winter was terrible....so I dont think it will get worse this year.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Just got back from Puerto Rico last night and trying to play catch up.

It is good that you are keeping the heater on in the cabin, but keep in mind that the worry is not your water freezing in the fresh water tank. It is the freezing in the lines throughout the body of your boat. For example, the lines that go to your cockpit sink that are not exposed to the cabin heat. I like to make sure that their is antifreeze sitting in the lines.

Either way, I don't think you will have a problem. I'm just cautious.

_________________

2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

By the way, did the fix the water pump?

_________________

2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Not yet...I actually spoke to the service advisor about it today. My boat is slated to start getting worked on, beginning tomorrow. As expected...its drawn out longer than I wanted...but I am treading lightly for now. We will see. If there isnt an attempt to get something done this week I will start to raise my voice a little bit.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Put a valve in-line to your wet bar faucet low enough that the valve is in the bilge or cabin. Then shut it and open the faucet. Thats all you really need to do. The lines in the bilge should not freeze in a normal Texas winter, with a bilge heater.

_________________

And a seperate pump/tank for Crown?

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Thats easy too!! Just watch your heater. I know a guy that was in Colorado sking last year during our "big freeze" and lost power to his bilge heater and now has his boat at Derberrys getting 2 new 502's for the low low price of 25K.

_________________

Like this



5 gallons
125 psi max

$30 at Harbor Freight

They also have an 11 gallon for $38.

http://www.sidebarbeverage.com/

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Those small compressors have the pressure but dont have the volume, I have a 2hp with a 10 gallon tank and really thats not big enough but it does work with the regulator set at 25psi. I dont use mine in the winter but I use the compressor to blow the excess antifreeze out of the lines, dry the a/c evap drain, scuppers etc when I winterize it.

Most people here disconnect the transom shower and front washdown and run a bilge and cabin heater and thats it, some people just leave them in the water and dont do anything, those are the guys that keep the many marine mechanics around here in business

_________________
2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Jsimon, thanks for the link above. I now know what I eventually want to do with the sink area in my Horizon. I've always thought that was a waste of space... until now!

_________________
2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Lot cheaper to use a stainless steel pump up sprayer like I did.

_________________