engine heaters

[itsonlymoney]

Thanks Jim
Wish I had'nt started this darned thread now

Still have'nt really got a definitive answer.

Are engine heaters on a freshwater Ciera 2655 reliable. Or is there some additional work to give peace of mind ?
Excepting - blankets,hot water bottles old coats,bits of bags,immersion jackets,wet suits,thermal underwear or technological wizadry.

Regards Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather have a bad day boatin, than a good day workin ! ! !

 

[Jim44]

I have had engine heaters on my 2655 for 2.5 years without any problems, they where fitted by Aquatics, I used the boat whenever i wanted in winter. IMHO it is the only answer if you want to use your boat over winter.

I also left all the fresh water, for toliet/showers/etc on board over winter beacuse the tanks are also in the engine bay at the rear. I was probably lucky and I dont think this is advised. All advise is to always drain these systems.

Hope this helps and does not confuse you any more

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[itsonlymoney]

Thanks Jim
That is what I wanted to hear apparently the 2655 also has its on board tanks in the engine bay so theoretically they should be ok. However I accept your statement that you should really drain them, so I wont send you a bill if it goes T***s up.

Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather have a bad day boatin, than a good day workin ! ! !

 

[MedDreamer]

Ian

Are you sure that the water tank is in the engine bay? The hot water heater and holding tank are but I think the domestic water tank is in the forward bilge which would not be heated by your engine heater (there's a bloody big petrol tank in the way!)

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[itsonlymoney]

You should Know Martyn. I am only going off what I have been told so far, not acctually seen the tank personally.
Does that mean that I will have to drain said tank. If so presumably there is a drain cock ?
By the way taking over the new boat Sun 30th, getting quite excited now.
Going to Barcelona for the weekend better not spend to much !

Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather have a bad day boatin, than a good day workin ! ! !

 

[MedDreamer]

To be honest Ian, I never actually found the water tank or how to access it but I am quiet sure its not in the engine bay.

We left our boat in the water at Aquatic last year with engine heaters. We just run all the water out of the domestic system, including the transom shower and left the taps open with the pump off and it was fine.

On board we had a small oiled filled radiator (£20 from B&Q) which we left permanantly on a low setting (about a quarter on) and a dehumidifier which was on a timer and came on at 8.00am in the morning for about five hours. Also left all doors open and the heads portlight and aft cabin window open.

I did this based on advice given on the forum last winter and it worked a treat, boat was dry all winter.

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[PhilF]

I always leave it in, so to speak.
Visit every week th check and warm up with Eberthing
heater in the engine dept all the time on (from Nov)
Heater in the salon on all the time (tube type)
Humidifyer on all the time set to lowish.
Water stays where it is needed, in the tanks and I have never had a problem, even when Hythe was frozen solid.
More luck than judgement, do I hear, who knows?
PS not big lecky bills either
Phil

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[Medskipper]

Hi All!

Iv'e been boating over fifteen years and have never had a problem with freezing in the engine block!

The internal cooling system should have anti-freeze in it all year round so this should never cause a problem.

The raw water system can be drained by shuting the intake stop cock and then draining the block from the lowest drain cock on the block. The only reason freezing can crack the engine block is because water expands when frozen! if the engine is drained there will be plenty of air space in the engine block for any small amount left to expand harmlessly anyway. If you still are concerned take off the water pipe from the intake stop cock (after having turned it off) and stick the end of it in a 5lt can of anti-freeze and then start the engine until all the liquid is sucked out of the container and then turn off the engine. This will ensure that no freezing will occur.

If the boat is in the water we would have to have quite a prolonged below freezing spell before an engine would freeze internally anyway as the temperature of the water the boat is sitting in is warmer than air! If your boat is out of the water there is a greater chance of freezing!

On a final note, I have only used engine heaters once in my boating life and of course the power had to be on all the time to the vessel, I suffered a great deal of electrolosis because of this and would not recommend that any boat is left coupled to the power for long periods of time even with double the recommended amount of anodes!

Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[BrendanS]

That assumes internal cooling. What about us with mercury blocks and alpa legs or similar?

<hr width=100% size=1>For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three

 

[itsonlymoney]

Hi Brendan
Yes I too have a Merc and alpha leg so do same rules apply ?

Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather have a bad day boatin, than a good day workin ! ! !

 

[PhilF]

what about wooden blocks and hairy legs?

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[Col]

Isn't Windemere Fresh water?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[Jim44]

On my 2655 (2001 Model) the fresh water tank was in the engine bay. I do know that on different boats it is up the front, Have not found it on my new boat yet.

There does seem to be alot of c**p on here about what is needed, Engine blocks crack if they are not protected from the frost. I know that boats moored on the lake have suffered and needed new blocks.

You do have to ensure that power to your boat is mantained, I have heard that WMV is not alway the best at ensuring this.

Just out of interest which jetty at Aquatics where you on?




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[MedDreamer]

My 2655 was the old narrower beam model and there was definitely no water tank in the engine bay, must have been in the forward bilge but I never found out how to get to it

Can't comment on whether WMV keep an eye on power as this is my first winter with them and my boat is out of the water so its not an issue.

Certainly had no problem with power cuts at Aquatics all last winter - just had trouble with a collapsing jetty!!

At Aquatics we were on C pontoon from Sept 02 to Dec 02 and then on G Pontoon until March when we went to WMV.

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[Jim44]

I must have seen you then, I was on E jetty, the only 26 on there from July 2000 to March 2003.

Have moved up to J jetty, i think, but hopefully moving back down towards 'C' or 'E' when the new jetties are complete.

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