Winterizing in Portland

[Taras]

Hi All,
I'll be moving my boat to Portland, Oregon early October to a covered slip (PacMar) on the Columbia River. I was wondering if any of you have experience over the winter there and what systems you found necessary to winterize?
Your advice is always appreciated!
Taras

 

[Comodave]

What boat do you have to move to Portland? I see you are listed as currently boatless.

 

[tcoop]

I am at St Helens. I have fully winterized one year in the last 5. It was based on a forecast of several days in the teens. Normally I just drain the seawater wash down system. I do the wash down hoses separately since they don’t drain when disconnected. We do run a couple small round west marine heaters and a small dehumidifier during the winter.

 

[hollywood8118]

We had a SeaRay 400 express there for 3 years. Kept low heat on in cabin and engine space ( no way to call it a room). First year outside, second under cover was really cold as the roof didn't allow solar gain and it was always river temp under cover. Third year back outside. The boat did fine but we did close through hulls as a precaution and drained strainers to heat exchanger.
Hollywood

 

[Nepidae]

To me the answer to your question is simple: all systems, that you don't want to have to replace, need to be winterized.

You might have a mild winter but then again it could be the winter of all winters with historic lows. When we were in FL I did the same winterization that I did in Ontario. FL could have a snap cold go through with freezing. Why run the risk for the cost of winterization.

I have a sheet i could send you if interested. PM me with your email.

 

[gdueber]

Hi All,
I'll be moving my boat to Portland, Oregon early October to a covered slip (PacMar) on the Columbia River. I was wondering if any of you have experience over the winter there and what systems you found necessary to winterize?
Your advice is always appreciated!
Taras

In 36 years, and 3 generations prior to me, of commercial fishing out of Westport, WA. I have never winterized our vessels other than to disconnect fresh water hoses from the deck during hard freezes. We do run block heaters, cabin heat and dehumidifiers essentially year round. I do the same with my Hatteras 65’ LRC wherever it’s at in Western WA, and SE Alaska. Never had any problems.

 

[Rsysol]

Hi All,
I'll be moving my boat to Portland, Oregon early October to a covered slip (PacMar) on the Columbia River. I was wondering if any of you have experience over the winter there and what systems you found necessary to winterize?
Your advice is always appreciated!
Taras

Dozens of boats sunk in Portland last winter during the ice storm. Expect this to happen every winter. Most because they left seacocks open.

Drain all water lines, use space heaters (oil filled work well), close all seacocks. Also make sure you water tanks are full and black water empty if you plan to spend any time on the boat during the winter.

 

[Comodave]

To me the answer to your question is simple: all systems, that you don't want to have to replace, need to be winterized.

You might have a mild winter but then again it could be the winter of all winters with historic lows. When we were in FL I did the same winterization that I did in Ontario. FL could have a snap cold go through with freezing. Why run the risk for the cost of winterization.

I have a sheet i could send you if interested. PM me with your email.

Agree, you can never predict when the weather will take a dive in temperature. And by the time it happens you will probably not have time to run there and do the winterization. How much trouble is it to replace blown out water lines as compared to winterizing them? I would assume that they will blow out in the most inaccessible places. Much rather do a scheduled winterization than do repairs. But if you feel lucky go ahead and roll the dice…

 

[Taras]

Dozens of boats sunk in Portland last winter during the ice storm. Expect this to happen every winter. Most because they left seacocks open.

Drain all water lines, use space heaters (oil filled work well), close all seacocks. Also make sure you water tanks are full and black water empty if you plan to spend any time on the boat during the winter.

That’s a great point! Thx for the seacock suggestion!

 

[Comodave]

Another thing to check is what your insurance company says about winterizing. They may or may not require it.

 

[SteveK]

Dozens of boats sunk in Portland last winter during the ice storm. Expect this to happen every winter. Most because they left seacocks open.

I am guessing water above the shut off froze, burst the hose and when it thawed....... so should the hose be taken off and drained?
Does the water below shutoff freeze as well?
Sure glad mine sits in a warm bath.