Winterizing the fresh watersystem in a 305 Express

[Old Whitehead]

I know it is months away but I like to get a handle on techniques before the time comes. I see how to drain the salt wash down lines but I am curious how to do the pressurized fresh water including the hot water heater. My first thought would be to use up all water in tank and then add a couple gallons of rv antifreeze and pump some through all spray nozzles and faucets. Am I on the right track?
Thanks

 

[DennisG01]

For the hot water heater, just drain it. Then bypass it so you're not pumping pink stuff into it, otherwise you'll need to use too much as you'd have to fill it before it came out any faucets. And you don't have to worry about flushing it. You can buy bypass kits, or just connect the cold water line to the hot water line. A picture would help with exactly what to do.

For the freshwater tank... can you access the pickup line easily? Or, can you access the pump easily? If so, you can avoid putting pink stuff in the tank and just run it dry. Then introduce pink into the lines via the pickup line or the pump. If it's a pain to get to, then yes, put a couple gallons in the tank.

 

[Old Whitehead]

For the hot water heater, just drain it. Then bypass it so you're not pumping pink stuff into it, otherwise you'll need to use too much as you'd have to fill it before it came out any faucets. And you don't have to worry about flushing it. You can buy bypass kits, or just connect the cold water line to the hot water line. A picture would help with exactly what to do.

For the freshwater tank... can you access the pickup line easily? Or, can you access the pump easily? If so, you can avoid putting pink stuff in the tank and just run it dry. Then introduce pink into the lines via the pickup line or the pump. If it's a pain to get to, then yes, put a couple gallons in the tank.

I will have to discover how to get to the hot water tank! Thanks

 

[drbatts]

The hot water tank is on the starboard side behind the panel under the folding seat. I have a bypass in mine which makes winterizing a little simpler. This is what I do. first drain the water tank by running the pump with all faucets open. I then add about 5 gallons of antifreeze into the water tank and run the pump until I have pink antifreeze coming out all the faucets and hoses. Don't forget the windshield washer, toilet and hot water line to the transom shower. I will also run the sink in the head into the toilet to get antifreeze into the holding tank. I then dump another gallon of antifreeze into the drains in the head which go into the sump pump to fill that with antifreeze too. The sump will also get pumped out afterwards to confirm pink antifreeze is pumped through. The holding tank gets pumped out right before the boat gets pulled too.

For the A/C and Genny you can just close the seacocks, open the strainers and pour antifreeze in both of them while they are running. I use about 2-3 gallons through each of those systems. I have also back flushed the A/C with antifreeze through the outlet with a water pump while the strainer was open.

 

[Old Whitehead]

The hot water tank is on the starboard side behind the panel under the folding seat. I have a bypass in mine which makes winterizing a little simpler. This is what I do. first drain the water tank by running the pump with all faucets open. I then add about 5 gallons of antifreeze into the water tank and run the pump until I have pink antifreeze coming out all the faucets and hoses. Don't forget the windshield washer, toilet and hot water line to the transom shower. I will also run the sink in the head into the toilet to get antifreeze into the holding tank. I then dump another gallon of antifreeze into the drains in the head which go into the sump pump to fill that with antifreeze too. The sump will also get pumped out afterwards to confirm pink antifreeze is pumped through. The holding tank gets pumped out right before the boat gets pulled too.

For the A/C and Genny you can just close the seacocks, open the strainers and pour antifreeze in both of them while they are running. I use about 2-3 gallons through each of those systems. I have also back flushed the A/C with antifreeze through the outlet with a water pump while the strainer was open.

Thanks. Sounds pretty complicated. I was thinking that the generator and ac might just back drain with the sea cocks open. The two Groco sea water strainers have drains on each which might be useful for emptying the systems?

 

[PointedRose]

My dad rigged a hose from an air compressor to fit a water hose faucet and blows air through to clear out any residual water

 

[Legend]

My hot water only drains out a few gallons or so of water - guessing it has sediment or something locking it from draining the full 6 gallons. I just run the tanks until the faucets are dry and then put 7 gallons of pink stuff in then run the hot and cold until they run pink. Cost a few bucks more for the anti freeze but is has worked for flawlessly for years with no issue and pretty simple

 

[drbatts]

Thanks. Sounds pretty complicated. I was thinking that the generator and ac might just back drain with the sea cocks open. The two Groco sea water strainers have drains on each which might be useful for emptying the systems?

With those 2 systems you really have to run antifreeze through them. In my mind they are too costly to replace for something as easy as running antifreeze through them. The process is fairly simple and honestly doesn't take that long at all.

 

[DennisG01]

Yes, definitely pay attention to the AC and genny. The genny is like an inboard engine - it doesn't automatically drain like an OB because the engine situated horizontally, not vertically.

This might be a good option for you this year... hire someone to do it that would be willing to let you watch and learn. Afterwards, you can decide if it's something you feel up to... or just write a check. DIY is good... but not at the cost of doing one little thing wrong - you don't want to save $ just to end up paying $$$$.

Legend you may be able to free things up by clearing the drain. Or... is it possible that you're just underestimating the amount of water coming out? It's hard to judge just by watching the water flow out and lay in the bilge.

 

[Legend]

Thanks Dennis - The drain faucet is plastic and I was thinking of taking it off and seeing if the passageway was clogged.

 

[Old Whitehead]

My dad rigged a hose from an air compressor to fit a water hose faucet and blows air through to clear out any residual water

Sounds like a good alternative!

 

[Old Whitehead]

My hot water only drains out a few gallons or so of water - guessing it has sediment or something locking it from draining the full 6 gallons. I just run the tanks until the faucets are dry and then put 7 gallons of pink stuff in then run the hot and cold until they run pink. Cost a few bucks more for the anti freeze but is has worked for flawlessly for years with no issue and pretty simple

I agree that buying a few extra gallons is easy and safe for the novice. Thanks!

Yes, definitely pay attention to the AC and genny. The genny is like an inboard engine - it doesn't automatically drain like an OB because the engine situated horizontally, not vertically.

This might be a good option for you this year... hire someone to do it that would be willing to let you watch and learn. Afterwards, you can decide if it's something you feel up to... or just write a check. DIY is good... but not at the cost of doing one little thing wrong - you don't want to save $ just to end up paying $$$$.

Legend you may be able to free things up by clearing the drain. Or... is it possible that you're just underestimating the amount of water coming out? It's hard to judge just by watching the water flow out and lay in the bilge.

Good idea to watch an expert, however, that might be difficult with the little boatyard I plan to use for the winter. Have you heard of blowing out the generator and ac with an air compressor?

 

[DennisG01]

Good idea to watch an expert, however, that might be difficult with the little boatyard I plan to use for the winter. Have you heard of blowing out the generator and ac with an air compressor?

For the genny, no. That's a drain and fill type thing... or at least drain and pour into the strainer like mentioned above. You "could" just pour AF into the strainer without first draining, but there's always a risk of the AF mixing with water or a pocket of water-only remaining.

You could probably be just fine blowing out the AC line - it's essentially just a single line from the thru-hull fitting to the seacock. However, an inexpensive hand pump jammed into the thru-hull fitting (drawing from a gallon of pink) works perfect. Just pump till you see a nice pink color falling out of the pickup on the hull bottom - 10 minute job, tops.

 

[Old Whitehead]

For the genny, no. That's a drain and fill type thing... or at least drain and pour into the strainer like mentioned above. You "could" just pour AF into the strainer without first draining, but there's always a risk of the AF mixing with water or a pocket of water-only remaining.

You could probably be just fine blowing out the AC line - it's essentially just a single line from the thru-hull fitting to the seacock. However, an inexpensive hand pump jammed into the thru-hull fitting (drawing from a gallon of pink) works perfect. Just pump till you see a nice pink color falling out of the pickup on the hull bottom - 10 minute job, tops.

Food for thought! Thanks!

 

[DennisG01]

Food for thought! Thanks!

You're welcome!

 

[Hookup1]

The idea is to get as much water out and whatever is left in the hose bellies is treated with antifreeze.

Bypass the hot water heater and drain it. There are kits that can be installed and left in place to make this a easy "flip a few valves" project every year.

Open the faucets one at a time and get the tank water pumped out. Hook compressor up to freshwater line. I have a hose connection on my freshwater wash down with a cap on it. Turn pressure down to about 15 psi or you may push the grey hoses out of their connector. Blow out the lines by opening faucets. Add a gallon or so of pink antrifreeze. Repeat above pumping pink stuff thru to you see pink then blow the lines out.

 

[Old Whitehead]

The idea is to get as much water out and whatever is left in the hose bellies is treated with antifreeze.

Bypass the hot water heater and drain it. There are kits that can be installed and left in place to make this a easy "flip a few valves" project every year.

Open the faucets one at a time and get the tank water pumped out. Hook compressor up to freshwater line. I have a hose connection on my freshwater wash down with a cap on it. Turn pressure down to about 15 psi or you may push the grey hoses out of their connector. Blow out the lines by opening faucets. Add a gallon or so of pink antrifreeze. Repeat above pumping pink stuff thru to you see pink then blow the lines out.

Thanks for help