timjet
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,920
Having owned and operated boats in south FL, I have never had to winterize my boat before. We're in the Chesapeake area and plan on leaving the boat somewhere on the bay for the winter, probably hauled out.
So two things to winterize
The engines:
I have twin Cummins B series engines turbo and after-cooled. As I understand it, it is important to keep the engines warm (above freezing) to reduce condensation and hence rust and corrosion. So to keep the engines warm some folks have talked about engine block heaters that are threaded into the block of the engine after all coolant is removed. The coolant is replaced after the heater is installed and the heater keeps the coolant warm and hence the engine.
Here's an example: New Block Heater Kit Cummins 034 B 034 Series Engine Heater Upgrade to 1000 Watts New | eBay
I believe SBMar (Tony Athens) has the low wattage ones.
Another possibility and much easier to install is an engine room heater, like this: Caframo Pali Engine Compartment Heater
This would take care of the generator too.
Once I figure out how to keep the engines warm do I need to remove all the raw water from the raw water cooling circuit? If I have an engine room heater I wouldn't think this would be necessary.
I understand I would need to change the oil in the engines and genny to reduce the effects of acid on the engines with the old oil.
The boat: As I understand it I need to keep air flow in the boat to prevent moisture and mildew. With the engines warm there will be some residual heat in the cabin but I was thinking of adding a space heater like this:
Caframo True North Deluxe Space Heater
I think most people probably add some anti-freeze solution to the water system and tank, even though the interior should be above freezing.
Anything else??
So two things to winterize
The engines:
I have twin Cummins B series engines turbo and after-cooled. As I understand it, it is important to keep the engines warm (above freezing) to reduce condensation and hence rust and corrosion. So to keep the engines warm some folks have talked about engine block heaters that are threaded into the block of the engine after all coolant is removed. The coolant is replaced after the heater is installed and the heater keeps the coolant warm and hence the engine.
Here's an example: New Block Heater Kit Cummins 034 B 034 Series Engine Heater Upgrade to 1000 Watts New | eBay
I believe SBMar (Tony Athens) has the low wattage ones.
Another possibility and much easier to install is an engine room heater, like this: Caframo Pali Engine Compartment Heater
This would take care of the generator too.
Once I figure out how to keep the engines warm do I need to remove all the raw water from the raw water cooling circuit? If I have an engine room heater I wouldn't think this would be necessary.
I understand I would need to change the oil in the engines and genny to reduce the effects of acid on the engines with the old oil.
The boat: As I understand it I need to keep air flow in the boat to prevent moisture and mildew. With the engines warm there will be some residual heat in the cabin but I was thinking of adding a space heater like this:
Caframo True North Deluxe Space Heater
I think most people probably add some anti-freeze solution to the water system and tank, even though the interior should be above freezing.
Anything else??