Anticipating the freeze

[stuartwineberg]

I have a small challenge and I know that the answer is going to come back from James (firefly) that I should just put my boat covers on but here we go as would prefer not to do that:

Boat is small cabin vessel with open cockpit. Large lazarette in cockpit floor which contains the plastic fresh water tanks. Boat is in service all winter, marina berthed so electricity available. Engine is in cabin floor. Pipe heater in engine bay which also contains the calorifier, small electric heater in main boat cabin set with a froststat. No obvious way to get a heater into the lazarette

Obviously I am concerned about the tanks and pipework under the cockpit floor freezing and can't think of an obvious way to prevent this. If I drain the water tanks will that then empty the calorifier and so expose me to a risk of heating the calorifier with nothing in it and causing damage? There are stop taps on the engine fresh water circuit that would enable me to isolate the calorifier and prevent hot engine water flowing into it. I am happy to have no fresh water on board for short winter jaunts - just don't want to cause damage to the hot water system

 

[P4Paul]

Sounds like you have already identified the answer I would have suggested, isolate the engine feed/return to the calorifier, drain down the tank and leave any hot and cold domestic taps and transom showers wide open, if they are mixer taps, make sure they are in the middle position.

If you are worried about it, just disconnect the engine feed/return pipes from the calorifier and join them together with a joiner and a couple of jubilee clips.

Can't beat winter boating, just chuck on some warm clothes, gloves and a hat, put a thermos flask of coffee in your pocket and have a fantastic time, just remember to post the photos on here for us all to admire.

 

[Firefly625]

I have a small challenge and I know that the answer is going to come back from James (firefly) that I should just put my boat covers on but here we go as would prefer not to do that:

Boat is small cabin vessel with open cockpit. Large lazarette in cockpit floor which contains the plastic fresh water tanks. Boat is in service all winter, marina berthed so electricity available. Engine is in cabin floor. Pipe heater in engine bay which also contains the calorifier, small electric heater in main boat cabin set with a froststat. No obvious way to get a heater into the lazarette

Obviously I am concerned about the tanks and pipework under the cockpit floor freezing and can't think of an obvious way to prevent this. If I drain the water tanks will that then empty the calorifier and so expose me to a risk of heating the calorifier with nothing in it and causing damage? There are stop taps on the engine fresh water circuit that would enable me to isolate the calorifier and prevent hot engine water flowing into it. I am happy to have no fresh water on board for short winter jaunts - just don't want to cause damage to the hot water system

Stuart

If I lived closer to the Hamble I too would love the idea of winter boating, but here we are, clocks turning back (around now!) and Christmas running towards us so quickly - we (i) are hoping to get down to Hamble on Wednesday for the night but already been told daughter has arranged to go trick or treating on Thursday evening... so can't be late back..... booked to come out the water on 19th Nov, and booked to get back in 3rd March. I'm not sure how much I would use the boat between those dates if I left her in the water...... however i'm jealous of folk that can and do!

Firstly for winter boating I would get that aft cover back on the boat, that will keep the cabin and cockpit locker far warmer. between now and around January I don't think you have a worry about the water tanks freezing as sea water temperature will remain high until mid Jan and that will keep your water tanks above freezing point, but add a tube heater to the cockpit locker with a thermostatic plug set a 5c from Christmas onwards just in case.. take the wire through the air vent at the foot of your pilot berth. Then you can enjoy water all year round and with a wheelhouse boat and ardic heating winter boating in shirt sleeves...

....that wasn't the answer you were expecting!

 

[Spi D]

FWIW we just empty tank and lines on top of normal winterizing. Run antifreeze though engines' raw water circuits and give a squirt in sink and toilet drains to keep whatever water that may sit there, safe.

Worked for me since first boat in 1968 in what I presume would be winters no milder than yours.
Weather being unstable we never know for sure what to expect while on the hard, but experience say that freezing will hit during winter and keep for days, coldest like 20-25C below freezing in January/February.

Some stay in and may get to use their boats. If not locked by ice, that is.