PNW winterizing

[Porchhound]

I've found several articles on here regarding winterizing, but most dealt with boat's in a harsh winter climate, and/or out of the water. Mine will stay in the water. I plan on doing the following:
1. draining the water tanks
2. drain hot water heater (if I can figure out how to reach that valve)
3. Run antifreeze in head system like Ron suggested in an earlier article, except the PO disconnected the shower sump and put in a sea water anchor wash system. I can still get antifreeze into the plumbing by putting it in the sink and wet pumping into the holding tank.

I will have a West Marine heater on frost setting (39deg) and all hatches to engine, galley and head sink area open. I'd put my dehumidifier in the sink, but that would require keeping a through hull open.

Anything I'm missing for this Bremerton, Washington climate? Maybe draining the heat exchanger?

[Stu Jackson]

Dave, I moved to BC in 2016 after 18 years with this boat in San Francisco.  You simply do NOT have to winterize anything.  Why?  Because the water temperature is 47F.   Even with a prolonged deep freeze it hasn't affected anything inside the boat EXCEPT when it snows, then with the colder snow on deck it literally rains inside the boat unless you have a heater going.

[Porchhound]

That's the best news I've had all week! Thanks Stu.

[Ron Hill]

Porch : How close to the boat will you be??  Will you be able to check on it weekly??

A few thoughts and questions!1

[waughoo]

The only thing I did for PNW winterizing was drain the aft tank and drain the water out of the shower valve that is in the cockpit. Those two items are a fair distance above the "warm" water we sit in.  When we had weather forecast for prolonged freezing weather, I would put a heater on board till the cold spell broke.

As Stu said, prob not necessary, but those couple things were easy enough to do.

[KWKloeber]

Dave, I moved to BC in 2016 after 18 years with this boat in San Francisco.  You simply do NOT have to winterize anything.  Why?  Because the water temperature is 47F.   Even with a prolonged deep freeze it hasn't affected anything inside the boat EXCEPT when it snows, then with the colder snow on deck it literally rains inside the boat unless you have a heater going.

Absolutely!!!!!
  Even when I was in Buffalo and left her on the Niagara River over the winter only one thing froze.  The galley water faucet had an icicle hanging from the spout (no harm but I should have drained between the pump and faucets. )

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Besides blowing out all water I always then add a bit of anti freeze or Vodka.  Belt and suspenders!!

A few thoughts

[KWKloeber]

Why not just run the dehumidifier drain hose to the bilge??

[Porchhound]

I will be hundreds of miles away all winter but my slip neighbor volunteered to check on her regularly. I should have run the dehumidifier into the bilge but it is the canister type. Workable though if I'd thought of it.

[Jeff Tancock]

As Stu said, virtually nothing needs to be done here in the Pacific NW.
I've had our boat for 24 years and nothing has ever frozen.
I do fill the fuel tank to avoid condensation in the tank and leave the water tanks full (drain nothing)!
I do put a couple of 60W lights bulbs on the floor in coffee cans on legs to move air and run a dehumidifier until its close to freezing. The dehumidifier does freeze up at that point so I turn it off
Never a problem though

[mark_53]

As others have said, the water temperature stays well above freezing so inside the boat does too.  Humidity is an issue though. Unless you have some source of heat, a light bulb or heater, and a way to move the air, mildew can be a problem.  Not a big fan of de humidifiers since they work best in warmer climates by condensing high humidity warm air.  Heat will decrease relative humidity.  Also, flip cushions on their sides so air circulates.  Leave a window cracked that won't let rain in.  Use a boom/cockpit cover to minimize potential leaks.

[Ron Hill]

Jeff & mark : How about listing your location so readers will know if they should follow your recommendations - based on their winter layup location!! 

[Stu Jackson]

Jeff & mark : How about listing your location so readers will know if they should follow your recommendations - based on their winter layup location!!

The Pacific Northwest also includes the "Pacific Southwest" of British Columbia, where many of us sail.

Anywhere from Portland, Oregon to up past Vancouver covers us all.  It's a vast territory.

[waughoo]

As Stu says, this area cover A LOT of territory.  We needn't be any more specific than we are.

[Jon W]

Hi Stu, a little off topic but what do you use for heating when at anchor?