things I should do to the boat re winter use

[thamesS23]

I know that most people lift thier boats out and winterize them around this time of the year, but as we live close to the marina (25 mins drive) and it's our first season with our first boat, we would like to keep her in the water. That way if and when we get a nice sunny winters day, we can pop down and still use her.
Now I will be getting her lifted out at some stage soon, but that is only because I need to get her serviced and antifouled (plus a couple of minor bits that were recommended in the survey back in march), and once these bits are done, I will get her put straight back in the water.
What I want to know is, what should I do to help protect her over the winter months, so that no damage is done to the engine etc.
All I know that I should do is get one of those bar type heaters and leave that plugged in and placed in the engine bay. Also I suppose I need to get a dehumidifier for the cabin and leave that running - but what else should I do and look out for?
Do I need to empty all the domestic water from the water tank - and if so is it just a case of running the taps till they run dry?
empty the boat of all its seats, mattresses, curtains, etc to stop them getting to damp?
Is it best to leave a small cabin window slightly open to help with condensation (but what if it rains)?
Would appreciate all help and advice. If it helps, its a sealine S23 boat with a volvo deisel engine

 

[paul_hanson]

I can recommend MBM's past features

Season's greasings
Nov 2005 p82-85 (4.00 pages)

The big freeze
Nov 2006 p78-82 (5.00 pages)

You can buy them via this website by clicking the "Boat Report" link above

 

[thamesS23]

"You can buy them via this website by clicking the "Boat Report" link above "

...or, seeing as you are MBM art editor, you could just cut and paste them and post them on here!

 

[byron]

A bar heater in the engine bay and another in the cabin(s) should do you nicely. If the cabin one is left on all the time you shouldn't even need remove your bedding.
Others may disagree but I have NEVER winterised engines nor removed anything from any boat I have ever owned and never experienced problems even in the severest winter. Once when the river iced up my boat sat in it's own little pool with no ice against the hull.

 

[thamesS23]

with regards to buying a dehumidifier - can anyone recommend a make and model?
Is it best to just go to some electrical store like currys to buy one, or should I buy one aimed specifically for boat use (is there a difference?)

 

[Brayman]

The main thing to be wary of of is that it should have automatic defrost as otherwise the element will ice up and become useless, also can happen with auto defrost ones if you have it turned up too high.

 

[pheran]

<u>TODAYS TOP TIP</u>

A very effective and dirt-cheap dehumidifier, especially for those times when lekkie is not available, is one or more bowls of ordinary household salt. Even these days we leave several at various points throughout the boat and you'd be amazed how much water you later find in the bowl. Even better if you can get to the boat to replace the salt periodically

 

[paul_hanson]

True, I could!
Also try last years
"Seasonal service" November 2007
my personal favorite

 

[phild501]

I've learnt the expensive way that sealine showerheads, taps, jabsco pumps etc dont do "frozen". Still if you have a heater on, this shouldn't be too much of a worry.

 

[thamesS23]

should I keep the water tank empty then? Can't see that we would need it in the winter as wouldn't be staying overboard, so therefore wouldn't need it for showers or washing up.

 

[Brayman]

Empty the water tank and all pipes, try and blow air down the pipes to clear small droplets of water, they are the things that do the damage, use a dinghy pump if you have one.

 

[ms1]

I am at Shepperton. Use the boat all winter. Greenhouse tube heater in engine compartment. Heater on thermostat in cabin with some drawers and lockers left open - all vents open. Water emptied (including calorifier) Nothing else whatsover removed. Never had damp or associated problems.
Never used humidifier.

 

[bradtarga34]

I've got an XM dehumidifier and does a terrific job of keeping things nice and dry. I close all the windows as otherwise the unit is trying to dry the air coming in through the windows meaning the water reservoir fills up very quickly. Got it when advertised as special and cost about a hundred squids from memory.

 

[Brayman]

The same here.

 

[Flashheart]

Got one from Homebase for £79 and its running right now as I type. Its a compressor driven one too with a drain outlet so you can connect a pipe and hook it over a sink

 

[thamesS23]

Just looking at your avatar - is that my boat, 2 boats down (blue hood?). if it is, have you ever seen the people on the boat inbetween us? I haven't seen them at all since we have been at bray, their boat is getting really neglected.

 

[Flashheart]

Yep thats you I think. The boat inbetween us had some use last year but this year, well I've not seen em all season.
Shame really. Nice little Crownline sports cruiser used only as a waterbutt now.

 

[thamesS23]

to think they are paying about £2500 a year to store something that is probably worth about £20,000. Thats a lot of money tied up doing nothing.
In fact I think there are a few on our pontoon like that, the blue ex hire boat at the end springs to mind.

 

[Flashheart]

Yes there are quite a few that never see their owners for what seems like years on end.

That particular ex hire boat if the story is true, so please don't quote me on this - Belongs to a lady who is relunctant to sell it after her husband died. Quite sad really.
But like you say its alot of money a year to keep something you don't use.
If for some reason I feel i'm not able to get out in the boat much in the year, I'd put it up for sale no matter how much I like it.

 

[macnorton]

Antifreeze in the engine, (raw and internal). drain the water tank and calorifier (if you have one). solar fan air vent in the cabin roof, and close the seacocks.
If your window seals are good and you visit and air the cabin regularly you should have no problem.