sailorman
Well-Known Member
do you de-pressure the water system when you leave to relax the diaphram in the accumulator tank & part drain the system.
the stern /boarding shower will be at risk if left un-drained
Anbody concerned about their boat in this weather
- Thread starter sailorman
- Start date
do you de-pressure the water system when you leave to relax the diaphram in the accumulator tank & part drain the system.
the stern /boarding shower will be at risk if left un-drained
crazy4557
Well-Known Member
I've not been able to visit my boat in Southampton but am a little concerned about the issues this freeze could cause. It's in the water, which I guess will keep it warmer than on the hard, but no heating or any other precautions. Should I expect any potential problems or do you think it's worth the effort to get down there, and if I do manage the trip what should I do????
mainshiptom
Well-Known Member
Very cold
I check my boat daily, it is also in the water.
it has two small heathers on board, one in engine room the second in master(Cabin) bedroom.
Only taking up to 1kw an hour 13p on the day 8p at night !
Makes me feel better.
Tom
ps If you can make the trip it will make you feel better?
I check my boat daily, it is also in the water.
it has two small heathers on board, one in engine room the second in master(Cabin) bedroom.
Only taking up to 1kw an hour 13p on the day 8p at night !
Makes me feel better.
Tom
ps If you can make the trip it will make you feel better?
crazy4557
Well-Known Member
Yup, my water tank's been drained and the system de-pressurised (if their is such a procedure). Not remembered the transom shower though...I guess that if that freezes and cracks it's a minor issue.
My main concern is the engines although they were serviced last week so the anti freeze should be OK. Will the raw water pumps/strainers suffer or will the relative warmth of the sea protect them. Any tips appreciated
Seahope
Well-Known Member
Another newbie also concerned
Tomorrow the boat I have been in the process of buying for months could actually be ours.
I visited the boat before Christmas it was -3 and there was ice on the swim deck making getting onto the boat rather risky
With the owner present, I drained the hot and cold water system and even went into the engine bay to drain the hot water tank. I also thought that it might be prudent to turn off the raw water inlet valves even though I installed a greenhouse heater with the plug thermostat (as per advice in another thread). This was recording a temperature of 3 degrees in the engine bay showing that the sea was actually warming the boat. Since the bay is quite large I think the 60w heater may have been too mean a purchase.
I also flushed a few litres of screen-wash anti-freeze down the head and poured some down the sinks and shower drain. I would have done more but it was just so cold.
On Saturday if the roads are safe enough I'll drive the hour or so to the boat check to see if the heater has been doing what it should have done, but given the forecast temperature I won't be able to stay long. Once my savings have recovered I will investigate how to install some heating for the boat.
If the raw-water parts of the engines do freeze during the winter how does one know?
Tomorrow the boat I have been in the process of buying for months could actually be ours.
I visited the boat before Christmas it was -3 and there was ice on the swim deck making getting onto the boat rather risky
With the owner present, I drained the hot and cold water system and even went into the engine bay to drain the hot water tank. I also thought that it might be prudent to turn off the raw water inlet valves even though I installed a greenhouse heater with the plug thermostat (as per advice in another thread). This was recording a temperature of 3 degrees in the engine bay showing that the sea was actually warming the boat. Since the bay is quite large I think the 60w heater may have been too mean a purchase.
I also flushed a few litres of screen-wash anti-freeze down the head and poured some down the sinks and shower drain. I would have done more but it was just so cold.
On Saturday if the roads are safe enough I'll drive the hour or so to the boat check to see if the heater has been doing what it should have done, but given the forecast temperature I won't be able to stay long. Once my savings have recovered I will investigate how to install some heating for the boat.
If the raw-water parts of the engines do freeze during the winter how does one know?
Elessar
Well-Known Member
Raw water (assuming salt water and boat in water which you have) no problem, domestics your only worry. Also assumes proper antifreeze mix in your fresh water bit of the engine.
i have tube heaters on a stat permanently mounted in the engine bay and put an oil rad on a stat in the saloon in cold weather. Sadly the supply tripped and when I went for a spin 2 days ago the domestics were frozen solid. Last time this happened no damage was done, but there is a real risk of it. You should drain the system as you did, but I can't be bothered to do this every time I use the boat so I just rely on the marina supply and take the risk.
When I kept a raw water cooled boat on fresh water that was a real PITA because the engine had to be drained every trip.
Anyway, its been -8 or so. Stop worrying as no MORE damage will be done, if you are going to get some damage its already done, worrying won't fix it!
But as you've drained the domestics I'm sure you'll be fine. Transom shower pipe runs down from head so there will be air above the water - expansion room so you're likely to be fine on that too. If it seems the domestic water pump isn't working BTW, the filter sealine fits stays full of water and pops off when it freezes, so the pump can't suck any water in.
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
U4
Well-Known Member
god bless all small ladies named heather.. worth their weight in gold they are
That did make me chuckle!!
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
mine is on the hard outside the house so not the same scenario as yours. I was using an 80w tube heater in a fairly large bay... it dropped to -0.5 with this heater with outside temps of -4 or 5 from recollection.. I've changed it for a b&q mini oil filled rad set to its lowest wattage of 300w and the lowest I've recorded in there since is 2.6 degrees and highest 5.3 degrees over the last 3 weeks with it set to kick in at 3 degrees on the thermostatic socket.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Fortunately am able to check boat frequently as is only 20 mins away,went aboard yesterday to collect genny and fuel,boat totally covered in snow.
Boat is on a tidal mud berth and unless the river freeezes (it has done so in the past) am not too concerned about frost damage.
My fresh water system is undrained and have never ever used any form of extra heating or dehumification on boat,relying instead on open windows for natural ventilation of air to prevent mildue damage and moving salt water to keep hull and engines above freezing.
However will keep situation under review because of forecasted extreme windchill factor over next few days.
Boat is on a tidal mud berth and unless the river freeezes (it has done so in the past) am not too concerned about frost damage.
My fresh water system is undrained and have never ever used any form of extra heating or dehumification on boat,relying instead on open windows for natural ventilation of air to prevent mildue damage and moving salt water to keep hull and engines above freezing.
However will keep situation under review because of forecasted extreme windchill factor over next few days.
honeybee
Well-Known Member
I have 2 tube heater in the engine bay but decided this morning to call my engineer to drain the engine to be safe. Temp are dropping to -10 to -15 in my marina over the next few days. Not a chance of getting out for a while anyway.
Chris
Chris
saltwater_gypsy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Jan 2008
- Messages
- 1,946
- Location
- Now back in Scotland . Boat for sale
Seawater begins to freeze at -2C so there is a concern about the raw water cooling system at low temperatures.We will no doubt get a clearer picture AFTER the thaw as the damage reports come in.
Trundlebug
Well-Known Member
My boat is in the water on inland marina, and although I have a fan heater set on frost stat in the engine room, I'm a bit concerned about the domestic water.
I did drain down & depressurise before leaving, and left the tap open to allow expansion, but am worried the inlet strainer filter to the pump may have blown the top off.
I'm also worried about the tins of food I left in one of the lockers. If they've frozen, they may have burst, so I'd better get to them before the thaw!
Luckily a friend from the same pontoon is living on his boat and is keeping an eye on things for us. He's reported all appears well from the outside at least. I know there's thick ice on the marina, so he's been breaking the ice around the boats, and we trailled fenders in the water when last there to help any problems in this regard.
I bet the water in the domestic tank is solid! Not that it's a problem - tank only half full. Calorifiers in the engine bay and should be OK.
All sea cocks were closed last time we left the boat. Still concerned though. Visiting on Saturday to check, if more snow doesn't stop us getting there!
I did drain down & depressurise before leaving, and left the tap open to allow expansion, but am worried the inlet strainer filter to the pump may have blown the top off.
I'm also worried about the tins of food I left in one of the lockers. If they've frozen, they may have burst, so I'd better get to them before the thaw!
Luckily a friend from the same pontoon is living on his boat and is keeping an eye on things for us. He's reported all appears well from the outside at least. I know there's thick ice on the marina, so he's been breaking the ice around the boats, and we trailled fenders in the water when last there to help any problems in this regard.
I bet the water in the domestic tank is solid! Not that it's a problem - tank only half full. Calorifiers in the engine bay and should be OK.
All sea cocks were closed last time we left the boat. Still concerned though. Visiting on Saturday to check, if more snow doesn't stop us getting there!
SolentPhill
Well-Known Member
dont forget swim platform hoses, they should be removed or check they are drained down as they are usually in outside lockers, something easliy forgotton. some boats have a hose at the bow as well this should be removed to save freezing
saltwater_gypsy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Jan 2008
- Messages
- 1,946
- Location
- Now back in Scotland . Boat for sale
B*****R I forgot about that one!!!!!!
MarieK
Well-Known Member
Drove down after work tonight to check on her, I am on the hard and outside temp was -6 when I got there, a toasty +1.5c in the engine bay with the little 80w heater working a charm.
Hit the tic tac windspeed and for first time ever it read zero knots, looked up onto the flybridge and there was an icicle hanging from it.
Incident free drive home so I can crack open a bottle now and rest easy infront of the fire. Ahh I love boating....
Hit the tic tac windspeed and for first time ever it read zero knots, looked up onto the flybridge and there was an icicle hanging from it.
Incident free drive home so I can crack open a bottle now and rest easy infront of the fire. Ahh I love boating....
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Personally i wouldn't leave a fan heater on for long unattended periods. i believe them to be inherently unsafe. oil filled much better
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
Gone a little over the top cos she's a new boat, so have an oil filled rad in the engine room & one in the saloon with all internal doors open, & the alarm system lets me know if shore power goes off.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
"Seawater begins to freeze at -2C "
Fortunately moving tidal salt water(the faster the better?) will freeze a little below that temp.
Fly in the ointment where my boat is moored,is the amount of freshwater diluting the salt due to heavy rainfall/flooding up river.
In fact out of interest will take a dual digital thermometer down to boat in morning and measure internal (bilge)and external temps ?
Fortunately moving tidal salt water(the faster the better?) will freeze a little below that temp.
Fly in the ointment where my boat is moored,is the amount of freshwater diluting the salt due to heavy rainfall/flooding up river.
In fact out of interest will take a dual digital thermometer down to boat in morning and measure internal (bilge)and external temps ?
Last edited:
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
This is Lymington Yacht Haven this afternoon. The fairway between A and B pontoon, which is the shallower part of the marina, was frozen about a third of the way up.
