Fuel Tank
- Fill the fuel tank. The air in a half empty tank will expand and contract bringing in moisture and cause condensation. Results in water in the fuel in the spring. Some folks add stabilizer.
- Run the engine for 15 minutes to get stabilized fuel into all lines and injectors.
Drain and winterize the head and holding tank
- Pump out the holding tank. Flush the head with fresh water several times while emptying the holding tank. Best done while still in the water.
- Close the head intake seacock and put one gallon of antifreeze in the head bowl.
- Pump the head empty and repeat once (two gallons total) into the holding tank.
- Use a macerator to pump out holding tank. Repeat with two more gallons into holding tank and macerate out. The goal is to make sure the macerator has a high proportion of antifreeze in it.
Replace the engine raw water with anti-freeze
- Can be done after haul, but easier before. Place the impeller intake hose in a bucket of pink anti-freeze
- Start the engine and run it until pink anti-freeze is discharged from the exhaust (about 2 gallons)
- Turn off the engine and reconnect the hose to the seacock.
- Do not open the raw water seacock until on land
- Remove the raw water impeller and store. Tag the engine so you remember the impeller is not installed.
- Give the engine a good visual inspection. Note any coolant leaks at hoses or oil leaks anywhere. Time for new hoses? Wiring looks, ok?
Winterize water system.
- Drain hot water heater and hook up a hot water heater bypass hose. That means disconnecting the cold water in and the hot water out; and using a hose to connect them together.
- Hook the water pump up to pink antifreeze. One at a time, turn on EVERY faucet, shower, head etc and run until pink antifreeze comes out. Don’t forget the cockpit shower and shower sump pump!
- If equipped with air conditioning, run anti-freeze through it.
- If frig is water cooled…,do it as well
Batteries
- Some folks leave the batteries on board for the winter. If you do this make sure you disconnect them. Check mid-winter and charge if necessary. Do not charge if frozen.
- Or remove the batteries to a warm dry place. Keep them off the ground and charge periodically.
Sails
Take sails off and bring them to a grassy area if possible and lay them out. Walk around the sail and make sure nothing needs fixing. Flip the sail over and check the other side. Flake the sail, put it in sail bag and tag it. Write on the back of the tag if there is anything that needs to be fixed. If it’s fine either put it back in your boat or store it somewhere else. Best to take care of any fixes in the winter when shops are slow.
Internal clean
- This is important to keep mold from growing over the winter!
- Remove all loose gear from the boat.
- Wash down all surfaces including headliner to remove any dirt or grease that will allow mold to grow.
- Scrub the ice box and/or refrigerator with a mild bleach solution
- Clean out the interior of all lockers.
- Clean the bilge. Scrub with soap and hot water. Some folks put pink anti-freeze to bilge to stop any remaining water from freezing.
External clean
- Scrub or pressure wash the hull and deck.
- Clean hardware, mast, and rigging to remove salt and grime.
- Touch up any damaged varnish or paintwork
- Imperial compound is an excellent stainless cleaner
Inspect other systems
- Inspect fuel supply lines for softness, brittleness or cracking.
- Inspect fuel fill line and fuel vents.
- Inspect and service all sea-cocks
Miscellaneous
- Seal exhaust outlet and boom end with duct tape or stuff in a big sponge to keep bird nests out
- Close propane bottle