Winter bilge area

bshillam · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:12 pm Post subject: Winter bilge area

Question, I haven't owned a CD25' yet and noticed my bilge holds the holding tank. I use my boat throughout the year and don't winterize the boat. What have you done to better prepare for freezing weather? My plan, empty the tank put in some antifreeze when not actively used. Run my battleborns in heat mode as they sit on the stern. Most of the hull of the bilge is below the water line so I am not too concerned about it freezing. Thoughts?

Salon will have a small electric heater set just above 40. Cabinets opened when not in use. Small dehumidifier running 24/7. Done anything else?

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 3:16 pm Post subject:

Living here in the Midwest, I do have to winterize my trailered boat. I pump the pink RV antifreeze through the potable water system, and sink and shower drains. I don't worry about the bilge pumps, but I do insure the bilge is dry and the boat is stored bow high with a full cover on it. If you are concerned about your waste holding tank, after you pump it out, you could dump a gallon or two of the pink RV antifreeze in it, or just use some of the windshield washer antifreeze fluid in it. When I head out in late February to head south for the Hontoon gathering, I start my Webasto heater before loading the boat up, and leave it running until I get farther south in warmer weather. However, since the water tank is in the bilge, I'll wait until I'm in warmer weather before filling it. Unless you keep perishable goods on the boat that can't freeze, you probably don't even need to run a heater in the boat. Just keep your battery charger plugged in and turned on to keep your batteries up. I do run a small cheap dehumidifier (just a small fan with a small heating element) to help with our humidity here. Colby

bshillam · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject:

Mine is in the water year round. Temps on the river rarely drop cooler then the high 30s

localboy · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 5:38 pm Post subject:

Grab your pink anti freeze now. There is an alleged nationwide shortage. I just paid $6 for a gallon at Wallyworld. In past years it was $2.

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 10:04 pm Post subject:

Bought 5 gallons a month or so ago at Menards for about $2.50/gal. As usual, I forgot about the other 6 gals I already still had in my shed... Guess I'm good for a couple of winterizations! Colby

smckean (Tosca) · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:39 pm Post subject:

I feel spoiled here in the Pacific NW Wink

.

It can get cold here....even down into the low teens occasionally, but never for more than a few days (with some notable exceptions). All I do is put a 1500 watt green house heater (with an integral blower) on the sole inside the boat, open all the cabinets etc. I plug the heater into a high quality, reliable digital thermostat set to cut in at 35° and cut out at 37°. On those rare occasions of teens for multiple days, I watch it like a hawk, otherwise, no muss, no fuss. Wink

(Costs me about a buck a day for 2 months or so.)

hardee · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:22 am Post subject:

Ahh that "Pink stuff". For my 22 I use 3 gallons, and each year I buy one new gallon to replace what I term as weakened due to the mix with the water I cannot get out of the tank. The boat is stored inside a garage with 2 dehumidifier/heaters that run if the temp is below 39F.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

ssobol · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 1:22 am Post subject:

When I had a water system in my 22 I used cheap vodka instead of the pink stuff. That way if there is any left in the system in the spring you can still drink it. Not so with the pink stuff.