Saildrive in-water winterization

[brizo1533]

We recently purchased a 2017 S.O. 389. -This is the first boat that we have owned with a saildrive. We live mid Chesapeake Bay (Rappahannock River area) and are planning to leave the boat in the water this winter. In the dead of winter we will get a skin of ice but very rarely do we get a hard freeze on the cove that we live one. Does anyone have any advice on how to winterize the saildrive raw water inlet system in these circumstances?

[moonshadow]

I’m a bit south of you and I just leave a thermostatic controlled space heater on the boat with engine covers open. I would ask around and see what the locals do.

[Chris Meyer]

Oct 16, 2023 12:13:07 GMT brizo1533 said:

We recently purchased a 2017 S.O. 389. -This is the first boat that we have owned with a saildrive. We live mid Chesapeake Bay (Rappahannock River area) and are planning to leave the boat in the water this winter. In the dead of winter we will get a skin of ice but very rarely do we get a hard freeze on the cove that we live one. Does anyone have any advice on how to winterize the saildrive raw water inlet system in these circumstances?

Congrats on your boat.  We love our 389.   
Can't help with your question since we haul out here in Michigan.

How will you change the zinc anodes on the propeller (two of them:  one at the end and one collar)?   Also one for the bow thruster if you have one.

[brizo1533]

Thanks for the welcome. We put all new zincs (and bottom paint) on the boat during a haul out in August. They should be good until next fall when we haul to bottom paint prior to next winter. I have a neighbor who hauls every other year for bottom paint and zincs and that seems to work well where we are. Obviously, we will keep an eye on them during the year.

[barryl]

Hello,

On my saildrive boats that winter in the water I just close the through hull for the water intake, remove the hose from the through hull to the raw water pump and drain it. 

The water 2' under the boat (where the saildrive leg is located) is not going to freeze (at least where I am, Long Island Sound).

Barry

[petros42]

Congrats on your 389!!  Keep an eye on your zincs, especially the prop zinc.  I only get about 6 months on the prop zinc.  The others are easily good for a year.  I'm away from the dock for at least 4 months a year, and I'm only plugged in for 5 months in the winter and the prop zinc is still well worn after 6-8 months.

[mariamanning219]

In the mild winter conditions you describe, it is generally safe to leave your S.O. 389's saildrive raw water inlet system unwinterized. However, to provide additional protection against potential freezing, you can consider draining the raw water pump and the exhaust system before the first hard freeze is expected. This can be done by closing the raw water intake valve and disconnecting the raw water hose from the pump.



Then, drain the pump by removing the drain plug or by using a hand bilge pump. To drain the exhaust system, disconnect the exhaust hose from the exhaust manifold and allow any remaining water to drain out. Once drained, reattach the hoses and open the raw water intake valve.

[jlasail]

I have a SO409, with SD60, so similar set up as your boat . I have it located around Deale on the Chesapeake bay. I did keep the boat in the water during 2 winters so far without any trouble. I close the ingress raw water valve and pour 2 gallons of antifreeze in the raw water strainer while the engine is running and then shut it down. One of the winter was 2014/2015 and it did freeze significantly in the bay with rather thick ice around the boat and nothing was damaged on the boat . Second time was this past winter but it was a mild one so not a good indication for the subject. Hope it helps.