On the Hard and the Cold

[Bigplumbs]

Lets hope that all those people whos boats are on the Hard managed to get them drained down and or got the Heater on during this cold snap in the UK.

 

[limecc]

What about your Sealine BP? Did you manage to prep it?

 

[Offshore57]

Our rib is sitting happily on its trailer, was thoroughly winterised and fully covered in November (Merc 350 mag inboard). There are other Mobos out also, so I hope they are protected like BP said..

 

[ChromeDome]

Had to help a fellow boater in my marina yesterday:


At lift-out his sterndrive drained some of the seawater out, but to winterize the engine manifolds, risers and domestic water heater, he idled it until the gauge showed normal running temp (½ hour), then ran antifreeze through the impeller pump. 20 litres of it, plenty coming out of the exhaust.

While checking the hoses to/from the heater after a recent night of -7.5 C, they were frozen !? The ambient temp had been below zero since so an electric heater was placed in the bilge to run overnight. The next morning the hose was still frozen but softer.

Samples taken from hoses and drain plugs proved that the coolant had not been circulated in the water jacket.

All drain plugs were removed and the hoses to the domestic heater were disconnected. A heat gun was used to ensure free run at all exits.

Following this procedure, the owner stated that "Never, NEVER, again" would he0 own a seawater-cooled engine.

 

[stelican]

Had to help a fellow boater in my marina yesterday:


At lift-out his sterndrive drained some of the seawater out, but to winterize the engine manifolds, risers and domestic water heater, he idled it until the gauge showed normal running temp (½ hour), then ran antifreeze through the impeller pump. 20 litres of it, plenty coming out of the exhaust.

While checking the hoses to/from the heater after a recent night of -7.5 C, they were frozen !? The ambient temp had been below zero since so an electric heater was placed in the bilge to run overnight. The next morning the hose was still frozen but softer.

Samples taken from hoses and drain plugs proved that the coolant had not been circulated in the water jacket.

All drain plugs were removed and the hoses to the domestic heater were disconnected. A heat gun was used to ensure free run at all exits.

Following this procedure, the owner stated that "Never, NEVER, again" would he0 own a seawater-cooled engine.

The reason the antifreeze did not get into the cooling system was because the engine thermostat did not open as the water in the block did not get hot enough, The antifreeze simply bypassed the block and exited through the exhaust system.
I used to carry out alot of winterising on the non tidal Thames (fresh water) we used to take great care to completely drain out and protect all fresh water systems engine and domestic.

 

[ChromeDome]

The reason the antifreeze did not get into the cooling system was because the engine thermostat did not open as the water in the block did not get hot enough, The antifreeze simply bypassed the block and exited through the exhaust system.
I used to carry out alot of winterising on the non tidal Thames (fresh water) we used to take great care to completely drain out and protect all fresh water systems engine and domestic.

Yes, he and I know that.
At the time of lifting the owner assumed (assumption is the mother of all fåck-ups), that a gauge showing Normal meant that the thermostat opened.
Wiser now...

I guess he will switch to FWC, diesel and shaft, next time.
Working in -4 C, north-eastern wind and 0 C water/coolant running down your numb hands isn't very inspiring ?

 

[stelican]

Yes, he and I know that.
At the time of lifting the owner assumed (assumption is the mother of all fåck-ups), that a gauge showing Normal meant that the thermostat opened.
Wiser now...

I guess he will switch to FWC, diesel and shaft, next time.
Working in -4 C, north-eastern wind and 0 C water/coolant running down your numb hands isn't very inspiring ?

Very pleased to hear he and you know that but as I said you need to drain off first. Hope that helps next time

 

[Bigplumbs]

What about your Sealine BP? Did you manage to prep it?

Yup all done. It actually needs to be very low for a long while for there to be a problem.

When it is very cold there also tends to be no cloud cover and therefore sun. in the sun the canopy on these boats (if up) actually warms up quite a lot and helps the heat in the engine bay.

 

[diverd]

My inland storage (strathdon Aberdeenshire) was minus 18 last night, so i am really glad the boats are safe in the sea at Peterhead, with will be a warm and cozee minus 3. I guess in the bay iteslf the water will be probably 5 degrees at the surface, so they should all be fine, its not exceptional for here, its just a normal winter. That said i am up at the marina tomorrow and will make sure the heat is on and they are fine. Up here the boats are actually safer in the sea than on the land, and i do my winter service work in April, when the risks of really low temps are very much reduced.

 

[TSB240]

It hasn't got above freezing in our dock for the last two days. I popped down to boat today and ran engine up to temperature, exhaust temperature started at 2degrees!
In gear underload with 2000 revs we managed nearly 35! after 20 minutes. I expect the freshwater fed dock will have an ice covering by midweek.
I have left the eber on a timer for 2hours at 7am and will check again tomorrow at 9 to see if it has raised the cabin temperature above 10 degrees. Must remember to top the tank up with some red. We have not had any snow but there was a frost layer nearly 1 inch thick decorating all of the boats. In the marina despite the sunshine today.

Glad I am still in the water and not on the hard.

 

[Momac]

When it is very cold there also tends to be no cloud cover and therefore sun. in the sun the canopy on these boats (if up) actually warms up quite a lot and helps the heat in the engine bay.

An interesting theory but I wouldn't rely on that.

The water in which the boat sits is more likely to help keep the engine bay above freezing. But a tube heater or similar on thermostat is what most people who have shore power would use for frost protection in the engine bay.

It's been very cold here yesterday with fog all day = no sun. Looks overcast this morning also.
1 degree C in the saloon of my boat at the weekend , and it has plenty of solar gain potential.

.

 

[Bigplumbs]

An interesting theory but I wouldn't rely on that.

The water in which the boat sits is more likely to help keep the engine bay above freezing. But a tube heater or similar on thermostat is what most people who have shore power would use for frost protection in the engine bay.

It's been very cold here yesterday with fog all day = no sun. Looks overcast this morning also.
1 degree C in the saloon of my boat at the weekend , and it has plenty of solar gain potential.

.

I agree you cannot rely on it. And I like most have drained down and antifreezed where I can and have a tube heater on a thermostat in the engine bay and have even covered my engine with old pillows to try and keep it warm. The concern is that a lot of marina electrical supplies can be quite flaky and also cannot be relied upon. What I do know is many countries have it way way colder for longer than we do

 

[The Q]

crawled around the bottom of the sailingboat last week mopping out the last water..
The motor boat wasn't used this year so is still winterised from last year..

 

[Momac]

The concern is that a lot of marina electrical supplies can be quite flaky and also cannot be relied upon.

I get a message if the power is cut , as does the marina. But unplanned power cuts are rare since an upgrade a couple of years ago.