Winter Section Winterization
Family Fun in The BVI
Already?
Winterization Tips 2013 W by J. Cassin Sutor
hile most of us are still reliving our favorite Wednesday night race or weekend regatta, Jack Frost has been sneaking up on us. The cold, snowy, and icy conditions that are soon to come mean only one thing: boat owners all over the Chesapeake once again have to winterize their boats.
While tedious and sometimes expensive, winterization is essential for the proper functioning and upkeep of one’s boat. When it comes to preparing for a long cold Chesapeake winter, there is no such thing as overdoing it, and those who don’t do enough may find themselves landlocked come springtime.
Freezing temperatures, moisture, and stagnant water are all forces that can destroy a boat if she is not properly decommissioned. Although this can be a daunting task, many local full-service boat yards have comprehensive checklists that categorize areas that should be winterized or inspected.
The Top Six Winterization Mistakes • Failure to drain the engine block • Failure to drain water from sea strainer • Failure to close seacocks • Failure to unclog petcocks • Failure to cover the boat in the water • Using bimini as a winter storage cover
Visit boatus.com/winter
Online resources such as boatus.com/winter also provide checklists to prep for months of idleness and inclement weather. Local marine gurus Kelsey Fields of South Annapolis Yacht Centre and Pete Dierks of Ferry Point Marina have offered some of their own winterizing knowledge.
Watch Out for Water When it comes to winter, water is the last thing boat owners want sloshing around their vessel, as frozen water can crack pipes and destroy boats. Dierks has seen many boat owners who winterize their engines but forget other crucial areas where fresh water may be hiding. “The rookie might go in and say ‘got the engine taken care of’ but forget the air conditioning and plumbing system,” says Dierks. “Sailboats are notorious for having water in the bilge, in and around the keel, that can be difficult to see and access.” Fields recommends running the engine to get it warm and opening the thermostat before draining water from the engine. It is also essential to replace all water with antifreeze. Also, watch out for possible mildew on sails, lifejackets, and canvas surfaces that can be affected by damp areas.
Antifreeze or Vodka?
##The photogenic sun and snow can wreak havoc
42 November 2013 SpinSheet
on boats. Photo by Bob De Young
Fields can’t stress enough the importance of antifreeze when it comes to proper winterization. “Antifreeze is important for every system on the boat; whether it be mechanical or plumbingrelated, you can’t go wrong using a little antifreeze,” explains Fields after discussing the process of “fogging,” a full flush and clean of the engine before running the antifreeze. Vodka can serve as an effective substitute. However, its viscosity may make it more difficult to gauge whether or not you have flushed the system than colorful antifreeze. This leaves the decision up to the sailor’s preference (and wallet). spinsheet.com