04 Sailfish Winterization Question

[Legend]

When I dropped off my Boat at the dealer I tried to save on the winteriztion by doing a few things myself.

Poured 3 gallons of the pink stuuf into the fresh water and ran the system until pink came through all faucets hot and cold

Poured pink stuff into the head and flushed through the system. I left the boat in the water for the dealer to haul. I shut the seacock on the head and ran the electonic head with the knob to the left and to the right until pink ran through the system. The question I have did I not complete the process by running pink staff from the hull to the head?

Thanks

 

[Capt Bill]

Did you pump the fresh water tank dry before adding pink? Any remaining water will dilute the antifreeze, raising it's freeze point. Did you drain and bypass you water heater (thinking you have one). If not, you need to do that, or the water heater tank/lines will freeze. Mine is located under the forward bunk.

Did you empty the holding tank, then flush plenty of pink thru the head, so the pump, valve and lines will not freeze?

When the boat is hauled, open the seacocks to drain any water left in the system. Tape a piece of cloth rag or your wife's old nylon stocking over the thru-hulls and hose-bib, to all any water drain and keep bugs out.

 

[reelserious]

You might want to also pour some antifreeze into the head floor drain until the sump pump runs pink.....and don't forget the windshield washer.

 

[Legend]

Did you pump the fresh water tank dry before adding pink? Any remaining water will dilute the antifreeze, raising it's freeze point. Did you drain and bypass you water heater (thinking you have one). If not, you need to do that, or the water heater tank/lines will freeze. Mine is located under the forward bunk.

Did you empty the holding tank, then flush plenty of pink thru the head, so the pump, valve and lines will not freeze?

When the boat is hauled, open the seacocks to drain any water left in the system. Tape a piece of cloth rag or your wife's old nylon stocking over the thru-hulls and hose-bib, to all any water drain and keep bugs out.

I drained the hot water tank and pumped out all of the fresh water before adding the anti freeze. After adding the anti freeze I ran the system until all faucets ran pink with anti freeze including the hot. I had to add several gallons to get it through the hot water. Sound like I should have by passed the hot water tank?

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Next time, drain the hot water tank and then by pass it then put the pink stuff inside. You save on the antifreeze the capacity of your hot water tank.

 

[ElyseM]

for what it's worth, i asked gw about installing a bypass (my first year with a water heater). they said they specifically recommend AGAINST installing a bypass. didn't get into the "why's" with them; it was done as far as i was concerned -- added an extra 6 gallons of antifreeze. ron

 

[BobP]

Why ?- we need to know!

Bypasses are all too common on mobile home hot water heaters.

 

[ElyseM]

Why ?- we need to know!

Bypasses are all too common on mobile home hot water heaters.

understood. but for me, it's a brand new boat under warranty so i wasn't going against the grain. l'll try to get back to him and see if they have any particular reasons. ron

 

[Capt Bill]

I would think dealer's reasons for not wanting a bypass installed:

1. his "techies" would not know proper procedure to winterize heater. e.g. KISS
2. without the bypass, he gets to sell more pink antifreeze.
3. he's concerned that you or someone else, may turn on the breaker for the water heater, and burn up the element (since the tank would have been empty).

Maybe all three?

In any case, I am sure that installing one wouldnot void any warranty.

 

[ElyseM]

I would think dealer's reasons for not wanting a bypass installed:

1. his "techies" would not know proper procedure to winterize heater. e.g. KISS
2. without the bypass, he gets to sell more pink antifreeze.
3. he's concerned that you or someone else, may turn on the breaker for the water heater, and burn up the element (since the tank would have been empty).

Maybe all three?

In any case, I am sure that installing one wouldnot void any warranty.

just to clarify, i didn't go to the dealer. i was corresponding directly with gw customer support. ron

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I think they are trying to avoid a burn out, then claim it under warranty(makes perfect sense). A good way to avoid this, put a sticker on the breaker to remind you the next season.

 

[ElyseM]

I think they are trying to avoid a burn out, then claim it under warranty(makes perfect sense). A good way to avoid this, put a sticker on the breaker to remind you the next season.

had that thought in the back of my mind.

 

[BobP]

Perhaps the dealer charges more (labor) to do bypass drain, vs. just adding 6 more gallons in Fall, and he also has to charge an added expense in the Spring to refill HW heater via valving.

This may be one only DIYers can save at, but cost more at dealer.

Same warranty issue goes with mobile homes, but I bet more DIYers do it instead of hauling camper into dealer, especially if not so nearby.