Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

2007-11-13 12:49:45

How does one go about making the bilge completely dry before winterizing. There is always some water in there and I do not want to add any antifreeze as I have done since I've owned the boat. Someone a few years ago on this forum stated that they would never do this. How woud one get around it? I don't want that water to freeze if present.
Thank you,
Greg
Billerina, Hull #33

2007-11-14 09:16:48

Hi, I own a MK 1 and have for five years. I shop vac the bilge. then pour in a gallon of windshield washer antifreeze, run the electric bilge pump and the manual. No negative results. I sail out of the North Channel Yacht Club, north shore of Lake Huron, minus 30 temperatures are common, boat is outdoors with a tarp over it.---Gary

c&c27dyc · 2007-11-15 07:41:59

Same here - Run a gallon of washer fluid through - any remaining after pumping it out, Shop vac and a sponge, or if your pump is deep enough just a sponge.
On a second note, I use the washer fluid in the Atomic 4 as well. Never a problem and better for the environment come spring.<IMG src="http://www.cc27association.com/f3/toast/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" border=0> Been through both types of winters, winterizing like this - Windsor, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Dean M Baldwin
Morgan "D"
Mark III - Hull 516
Halifax, N.S.

Scott · 2007-11-16 12:51:12

T face="Times New Roman" size=3>Greg;
T face="Times New Roman" size=3>Getting the bilge dry shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Sponge, rags, etc., can get the water out and make it relatively dry. Keeping the water out is probably a bigger issue. Some marinas will install a small, flush & fare, threaded thru-hull at the low point in the bilge. I’ve seen many power boats thus with more and more older sailboats getting them installed. They remove (unscrew) the threaded thru-hull from the bilge allowing the water that seeps in at various points and times over the winter that finds it’s way to the bilge to run out the thru-hull. Obviously, some are averse to drilling another hole in the hull. Me for example. It’s hard to get a typical stock tarp wrapped around a boat in such a way that keeps all the water out—I’ve never seen one so if someone has one, please send me a picture. Many people use an antifreeze in the bilge to prevent the water that gets in from freezing. The type of antifreeze is important. The pink stuff is non—diluteable. This means when water is added to it, it does not chemically mix with the antifreeze. The label specifically states to remove all water and add no water. It also states that it is not for use in winterizing engines. There is an antifreeze, sold by Seafit that is diluteable and protects against burst to -60F. A half gallon should be enough.
T face="Times New Roman" size=3>On the issue of windshield washer fluid/antifreeze for use in winterizing a boats systems; In the mid 70’s to the early 80’s it was common practice to winterize water systems and engines with this. It was cheap and seemed to work well enough. As time went on and people became more aware of the dangers, better solutions were developed. I thought this issue had died completely by the mid 80’s since I’ve not seen it in many years. But after reading the replies to your question, I thought there might be a new windshield washer fluid. So I checked.
T face="Times New Roman" size=3>Today, I found three different versions of windshield washer fluid. Two contained Methanol and one contained Methyl Alcohol. Both are alcohol based and all were clearly labeled as poison. Any amount that remains in a potable water system is a poison risk. Also alcohol, in particular the “meth” type of alcohol, is hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. Good antifreeze, formulated for use in winterizing engines is a blended Propylene Glycol. It is non-toxic, bio-degradable, and is formulated to inhibit rust corrosion and helps to lubricate pumps and valves. Unless there is some make of windshield washer fluid that doesn’t contain poisonous alcohol that I’m not aware of, I’d spend a few extra bucks and use a good, high quality, diluteable antifreeze for your boat and her systems.Scott Schoeler, MKIII, "Scot-Free"

2007-11-18 11:11:57

My winterization is much simpler.....I bring a sweatshirt aboard! Sorry, just couldn't help myself.

Andy
s/v Hyporborean #184
Happily sailing the warm waters of Tampa Bay

davidww1 · 2007-11-19 01:08:22

For what it's worth, I've never worried much about water in the bilge over winter. There is some draft to the bilge (it gets wider near the top), so any ice will rise as it expands, rather than muscling the glasswork aside bodily as it might if the sides were parallel. Moreover, there's not that much water in Towser's bilge to begin with, either in fall or spring.

A boat maintenance fellow I knew used to install plugs in all the boats he worked on. He tried to sell me on one, but I said no; I think the goal of a bone-dry bilge vs another hole in the bottom comes out on the fussy side. I'm sorry I can't give you a picture, but here's a page from a guy who really goes whole hog on drain plugs.

Touching on other uses of antifreeze – I read a claim by some fellow from the States that he winterized his water system with vodka (I gather you can buy really cheap vodka in the US – but maybe there should be quote marks around "vodka"?). Said it redoubled the pleasure of opening the boat in the spring. I suppose it beats the taste of that RV antifreeze – aka, pink stuff – which is incredibly persistent.

RCYC Marine Services has used RV antifreeze to winterize engines for the last ten years without problems. They're aware of the "not for engines" warning, but reason that's just to keep lawyers at bay. It doesn't degrade seals, it's cheap and it's environmentally acceptable.

David Weatherston
Towser, Toronto
C&C 27 Mk IV

Last edited by (2007-11-19 01:39:13)

tboicey · 2007-11-19 08:07:35

There are at least two kinds of RV antifreeze out there...

I bought a 4L jug at home depot that says "plastic pipes only". Then I bought a 16L jug at Canadian Tire that says "for plastic and metal pipes".

The latter was cheaper, but probably just because of the volume discount.

I think the latter also smelled different and stronger.

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#1 2007-11-13 12:49:45

Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

#2 2007-11-14 09:16:48

Re: Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

#3 2007-11-15 07:41:59

Re: Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

#4 2007-11-16 12:51:12

Re: Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

#5 2007-11-18 11:11:57

Re: Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

#6 2007-11-19 01:08:22

Re: Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

#7 2007-11-19 08:07:35

Re: Winterizing the Bilge on a MK 1

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