Winter Loo-nacy....or Peggy are you there?

[boatone]

Boat's staying in the water this year but will be draining down the fresh water system and flushing the raw water side of the engine cooling with antifreeze mix.

However, never quite sure what to do about the loo's and holding tank. A pump out to leave the tank virtually empty seems a good thing to do and closing off the sea cocks for the sea toilets but is there a preferred/recommended procedure for the loo pipework....flush thru with antifreeze or whatever?

Come to that, is there any reason why one shouldnt put some antifreeze in the holdng tank?

 

[HeadMistress]

You rang? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Here's what to do:

WINTERIZING PLUMBING


Fresh water system

1. Drain the water tanks completely (just turn on all the faucets).

2. Drain water heater. Most have a drain petcock; follow manufacturer’s instructions to find it and use it. Remove both the inlet and outlet hoses, and if necessary use a shop vac to be sure of gettting all the water out of it.

3. Connect water heater inlet and outlet hoses together. Bypass kits for this purpose are available from boat stores and RV supply stores.

4. Add non-toxic potable antifreeze ("the pink stuff") and pump that through the system until all outlets--hot and cold in the galley, head, shower, and any deck wash--run only antifreeze. Leave all the faucets open to make sure there is no pressure in the system.


Sanitation system

1. Pump holding tank out, then rinse thoroughly by completely filling with fresh water and 1 gallon of white vinegar twice.

2. Close toilet intake through-hull, disconnect inlet hose and stick it in a gallon of non-toxic potable antifreeze. Pump the whole gallon through the system into the holding tank. Do not reconnect head intake hose to the through-hull.

3. Pump the head 50 times to get as much fluid out of the system as possible.

4. After the boat comes out of the water, open all the sea cocks to drain any trapped water and leave them open for the winter. (Make sure to leave 'em all closed if the boat is to remain in the water.)

That's all there is to it. When spring comes 'round again, I'll post instructions for spring recommissioning.