Nevermore winterization

This is a list of things that must be done to make the boat ready for winter.

• Freshwater System

1. pump water from the system by running the pump with the galley hot and cold water faucets open. ensure that both port and starboard tank valves are open.
2. use the hand pump to remove as much remaining water as possible.
3. remove clear cover from filter and clean the wire mesh filter if needed.
4. pour antifreeze into port and starboard tanks.
5. turn on pump until anti-freeze comes out of the filter.

• Hot Water Tank

1. remove the two freshwater hoses from the tank.
2. let water drain out of tank (12 gallons).
3. if possible, siphon out remaining water.
4. pour 1 quart of non-toxic anti-freeze into the top fitting using a funnel and short piece of hose.
5. check magnesium anode and replace if diameter is less than 3/8"
6. ensure that electric power is not connected to the heater until the tank is refilled in the spring.

• Engine

1. detach seawater inlet hose from the seawater in thru-hull.
2. insert the hose into a container of anti-freeze.
3. turn the engine over until anti-freeze comes out the exhaust pipe.

• Fuel Tank
  • ensure that the fuel tank is full or nearly full.

• Dock Lines
  • ensure that the dock lines are tensioned so that the boat is held away from the dock.
  • ensure that fenders are secured to the dock at points where the boat might hit the dock.
  • standard configuration is port bow line, starboard bow line, bow spring line, stern spring line, port aft line, port starboard line. use a redundant line for safety where necessary (e.g. port bow).
  • ensure the lines do not chafe the hull, boat cover, or dock.

• Rigging
  • use light nylon cord to replace halyards.
  • pull all lines away from the mast using shock cords tensioned on the shrouds.
  • secure boom to upper deck.
  • coil sheets, halyards, boom vang and stow in starboard berth.
  • remove dodger frame, bimini frame, steering wheel and put in storage.

• Cover
  • aft-most supports should be inside the pushpit rail and should sit on the upper coaming, not the deck at the toe rail.
  • secure halyards so that they pass beneath the mast cuff, not inside it.
  • ensure that every hard point is protected with chafe guard, especially the supports and ends of wood supports at aft end of the boat.
  • doorway is on the port side, so arrange wood supports appropriately.

• Septic System
  • do a complete pump-out.
  • pour anti-freeze into the toilet bowl then pump into the holding tank. use enough to fill the toilet hose/valve and the low part of the hose leading out of the holding tank.
  • pour anti-stink (?) into the toilet bowl.

• Electrical Systems
  • ensure that the guppy is deployed and makes contact with the back stay.

• Thru-Hull Fittings
  • close all thru-hull fittings:
  • engine seawater inlet
  • head seawater inlet
  • head outlet
  • galley greywater outlet

• Dinghy
  • run outboard fuel tank dry.
  • clean and condition dinghy.
  • put dinghy and outboard into storage.

External Links

• Westerbeke Winterizing FAQ
• Boatsafe: Winterize Your Boat
• Torresen: Winterizing Fresh Water Cooled Diesel Engines
• Brokeboats: Directions to Winterize Inboard and Stern Drive Boats
• BoatUS: Winterize Your Engine
• Westerbeke winterizing from Engines1.com

See Winterizing Lists Compared for a tabulation comparing the content of the lists above, and of one hardcover book list.