When to Winterize?

[gregtay]

Hi all. Curious on your advice on "when to winterize." I live in Seattle and the days are getting shorter and colder (but i never get super cold here.) My boat is stored in a garage (not attached to a house.) I want to keep the boat "unwinterized" as long as possible just in case we decide to take it out on a nice fall day, but at the same time i don't want to wait too long. Just curious of your thoughts.

(previous years i kept my boat in a heated garage... so i just winterized after it was clear i was done with the boat for the year... this year she's moved to a non-heated garge.)

thx.

 

[Don S]

Re: When to Winterize?

Instead of doing a full winterization, just drain the raw water cooling system (and anything else that can freeze and cause expensive damage) and save the full winterization till you know you are done for the season.
There isn't anyone here that can give you an exact date on when to winterize, Mother Nature doesn't work that way.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: When to Winterize?

Don's advice is always good, so pay heed.....
I assume that you are familiar with your system, RWC VS. Closed......
I would not even give a second thought until mid- October, what with global warming & all.....
It does depend how high you are on the plateau...
In the city I leave it in the water until Dec. 1.....
If it is gonna get cold, know your procedure ....
It is 2 petcocks for the block, 2 for the mans, power steering hose , ISO & the fat one on the circ. pump.....
As with anythng boat, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the procedure before it becomes a necessity..... JK

 

[swansont]

Re: When to Winterize?

Oh, it sucks when this time of year comes around. I'm on the front range of the rockies in northern CO, it got down to 28F last night, right now, still reported at 32F. Didn't think it was going to happen this quick, I'll be out in a bit to drain the block and hoses to be safe. Full winterization within a few week I guess. :'(

 

[gregtay]

Re: When to Winterize?

Thanks guys, very helpful. I know the procedure... so i am all set. I'll watch the temp and maybe early next month i will pull the plugs, etc.

(BTW - I am on top of the plateau but I am keeping the boat out in Woodinville this year.)

 

[calwldlif]

Re: When to Winterize?

I don't have to worry about freezes,
but I did get in the habit of draining
the motor of water after every use.
Might not hurt you to do the same.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: When to Winterize?

I'm not doing anything down here in the South Sound until Thanksgiving. Damn, we will still be cutting the grass then, as we are finally getting some rain that just might soak in now. Rainy Seattle my dry behind....hasn't really rained in what..3 months? Good overnight freeze won't happen until December. Just watch for a cold front coming in...you will have plenty of time to drain the block, and do the ETC......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: When to Winterize?

in florida, we don't even know what winterizing is.