www.iFourWinns.com

hey guys,

sort of a dumb question but I wondered what is the best way to get the anti-freeze out of the fresh water tank, and the hot water heater? I figure there's probably at least 5 gal of antifreeze in the fresh water tank. I guess short of feeding a tube down into the tank that you turn on the water pump and pump it out through the faucet? I just don't want to run the pump dry but of course I want to flush it out really well. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

No one has answered so I tell you how I do it. Store the boat where it doesn't get below freezing during the winter

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

John, I'll park it in your front yard this winter

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

This is how I did mine,and it worked fine.

If your boat is on a trailer and/or you can have it hoisted up on a lift, remove the drain plug and do the following:

1) disconnect the hose leading from the fresh water tank to the pump (it pops right off and snaps back in easily) the antifreeze will drain right into the bilge and then out the drain plug hole. Run a lilttle more fresh water into the tank and let that drain into the bilge as well to get all the antifreeze out. - then snap the pump hose back on

2) Open the value/spicket on the hot water heater, and let that drain into the bilge as well - again, it will run right out of the plug hole. - then close the value.

3) rinse the bilge with fresh water to clean it out and then put the drain plug back on.

- If you cant take the boat out of the water, just fill the water tank a little, turn the pump on, and drain [b]all [/b]the faucets/showers until pink stops coming out. Re-filll the tank again and repeat. The manufactutrer recommends then using a diluted concentration of water and bleach to refill the tank and flush the faucets as above to get all the antifreeze taste/odor out. They also recomened using a diluted solution of vinegar and wter. There is a section in the manual about it.

Thanks! Great advice, it's on the trailer so I'll dump into the bilge and flush.

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Or let the dealer screw it up over the winter. Then you can exercise both the bilge pump and flush out the pink stuff at the same time!

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

When you winterize at the end of the season bypass the hot water heater and save 7 gallons of the pink stuff. I made a bypass that I use each year to bypass the hot water tank. As far as freeze protection on the hw tank just drain out the water. My year 248 Vista (2000) uses "whale fittings".

http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/pipeworks/3/

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

fred...


how much does 7 gallons of antifreeze cost vs. the bypass you made (plus the effort in making it)?

that pink stuff is pretty cheap....

hbender
2006 248 vista

Pink stuff in the HWH makes the hot water stink!!!

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

how much does 7 gallons of antifreeze cost vs. the bypass you made (plus the effort in making it)?

The cost was less than $10, a one time purchase. The pink stuff however would be a repeat expense. You do the math. Concerning effort to make,the fittings and line push together, no tools needed and time spent is less than a minute.

Here's the cost details;

2 WX1504 couplers @ $3.89 each
2 WX7162 Tubing @ .64 each
Total cost = $9.06

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

Fred, how soon is the Michigan location going to be history on your signature?

We're at Sarasota Cay Club this weekend. Thermometer says 95 in the cockpit. Ah, the pool felt so good!

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

"Fred, how soon is the Michigan location going to be history on your signature?"


John, I was hoping make the move in the September. Our home in Michigan is still FOR SALE but no buyer as of today. We are more than ready to move but the house must be sold first. The wife keeps telling me that she would be willing to make the move without me! But I keep telling her how much I need her with me.

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

OK Fred, I'm convinced. Seems simple and cheap....maybe I'll try it next winter.....Or maybe you can just mail me yours since it seems like you may not need to winterize next year in FL :)

Hbender
2006 248 Vista