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Post by so40gtb on Oct 28, 2013 2:43:53 GMT
We did something different this year with our SO40. We didn't pour any pink anti-freeze into the fresh water tanks. We drained them as best as the "domestic" water pump (Surflo on our boat) could do. Then I removed the water supply line to that pump and substituted a temporary connection to a plastic hose that could be placed inside a gallon (just under a liter) jug of pink anti-freeze. Specifically, a ½ inch NPT threaded coupling to 3/8" plastic hose quick-connect fitting, along with a 3 foot piece of hose. The hose was placed in the jug of anti-freeze, the valves opened, and the pump activated. It quickly distributed anti-freeze to all domestic water faucets and such, facilitating the drain process without placing any anti-freeze in the fresh water system's tanks.
I believe that I used two full gallons (liters) less anti-freeze than last season by following this procedure. Good for both ecology and the wallet! Our local Jeanneau dealer's service team uses a similar approach, and I'm indebted to Mark Kish from Larsen Marine Service for suggesting this procedure.
What about residual water in the fresh water tanks? If your system's fresh water pump can create a good amount of vacuum, there won't be much, and it will have plenty of room to expand if it freezes (assuming that fresh water tanks have been drained to nearly dry). Same argument for fresh water in the hoses.
--Karl
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Post by MalcolmP on Oct 28, 2013 8:08:32 GMT
Hi Karl Good plan, makes a lot of sense. For newer readers of this forum there is also a very useful guide that Norm produced several years ago in the hints and tips at: www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/winterization.htmlwell worth a read as a reminder when laying up Malcolm
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Post by Don Reaves on Oct 28, 2013 9:52:06 GMT
I use compressed air to get the water out of the system, rather than relying on antifreeze. But I still put about 1/2 gallon of antifreeze in each tank in order to winterize the pipes from the tank to the pump. I run the pump until I get pink at the pump.
Don
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redline
New Member
Posts: 3
Jeanneau Model: Sun Odyssey 45.2
Yacht Name: Redline
Home Port: Dorval, Quebec
Country: Canada
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Post by redline on Nov 5, 2013 22:50:55 GMT
On my previous boat (a C&C 33) I used the compressor blow-out method (even added an air hose quick-connect and valve on top of the accumulator tank), but found that didn't entirely deal with some of the scum that would grow in the hoses (clear, on that boat). The antifreeze seems to discourage that sort of growth, so I returned the the classic pink-stuff method.
On Redline I drain all I can with the electric pump, then use the foot pump to take out as much as it can, having recently discovered that it can actually drain most of the water heater via its inlet. Then I operate the water heater bypass valves (worthwhile upgrade), add antifreeze in the fresh water tank and let the pressure pump do its thing, opening the various faucets in order of their distance from the pump (interestingly, cold water runs counterclockwise from the pump, hot water clockwise from the heater). Last I open the heater intake and let some of the antifreeze into it. I probably have 15 to 20 litres in the fresh water system. With our winters, I consider it cheap insurance.
I used to get away with somewhat less, as our previous yard tended to block the boat "bow high" so it didn't take as much in the tank for the pump to pick it up, while our new club sits the cradle flush on the ground (which seems better for it and the boat in several ways) so the tank doesn't drain quite as easily.
On the other hand, last weekend my new cradle-neighbor Beneteau just asked me how much antifreeze I used, because after 40 litres he was still getting diluted pink water out his faucets ... but he didn't realize he needed to bypass his water heater.
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Post by so40gtb on Nov 29, 2013 3:51:02 GMT
Redline's tale of the nearby Beneteau is so timely ... there are two wintering near our SO40 which consumed a significant amount or pink anti-freeze due to water take intake and water heater dilution issues! I showed our tank-bypass approach to them, but they claimed to be too far into the "traditional" procedure to stop the waste and do otherwise! I finished and went to Florida on holiday. They continued to winterize ....
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Post by hoppy on Nov 29, 2013 5:30:54 GMT
The need for winterisation makes me glad Jessabbé is in Greece and not here in Stockholm
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Post by MartyB on Nov 29, 2013 16:22:52 GMT
Have not looked for 24-36 hrs at the forecast, but snow was IN the forecast for monday.......will be putting holiday decorations on the boat thru the weekend, moving to guest moorage sunday with 20 some odd others.....
I do not get too many sub freezing temps in a row to haul and winterize. Boat sits is 40F water all year......so if one protects and heats the inside, then freezing issues should not occur. And one can go on a new years sail!
I may be a bit farther north than the OP!
marty
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