[C38] winterize checklist?

[Charles B. Finn]

  Joey,
Winterizing our boats is pretty much like any other and BoatU.S. 
Seaworthy has a pretty good checklist:  
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/

Here is generally what I do:
1. Probably the most important placement issues to consider for our 
boats is to make sure when it is put on the hard that the boat drains 
properly (aft).
2. Be sure to block your keel forward to help prevent the "Catalina smile."
3. Make sure the boatyard puts you on hard ground and if you are in an 
area with high winds.... that the boat is oriented toward the prevailing 
winds.  Don't just let them decide what is best for you as they are all 
about getting as many boats in a small area as possible!  Don't let them 
put you under trees or near roofs that may loose their snow load or 
limbs.  If you think you will be working on the boat, try to get a 
location near an electrical outlet.  Water is nice as well for spring 
cleaning.
4. If you have a battery in the bilge, be sure to remove it so it does 
not freeze.
5. Pour some RV anti-freeze in the bilge so that any ice that forms here 
is somewhat slushy.  I put about a gallon here.
6. Be sure to purge your fresh water system and then leave a 2 gallons 
or so of RV anti-freeze in the system.  Remember the hot water heater 
has a lot of water in it!  Some of our heaters have a drain valve, but I 
have found my water pump will push most of the water out with air.   
Remember to make sure the water faucet in the head runs anti-freeze out 
of hot and cold.
7.  The waste hose going from your toilet to the holding tank can hold 
over a gallon of water.  Be sure to replace that water as well as water 
in the bowl with RV anti-freeze.
8.  I disconnect the seawater engine intake and stick it into a bucket 
of RV anti-freeze, start the motor and run about 1.5 gallons through 
until I see "pink" coming out my exhaust.
9.  Be sure all through-hole valves are open to ensure no water is in 
them to freeze and crack them.
10.  Change the engine oil before you lay up!  It is way too hard to 
drain cold engine oil.
11. I make sure the fuel tank is full and also put winterizing treatment 
in it.
12. Disconnect any propane tanks.
13. It is a good time to check your sacrificials.
14. As I have 200 watts of solar panels, I leave my batteries on board, 
but I do dismount the wind generator as it is rough on the blades.
15. Plan on visiting the boat within a couple weeks of being put on the 
hard if possible.  Lines come loose early on and any settling of the 
boat could require some adjustment of your stand.
16.  I use two plastic tarps.  One 20x30 and one 15x20.  I disconnect 
the lower shrouds, leaving only the mid and upper ones so I can fit the 
tarps together at the mast.  Tarps last a couple of years.  The 
spinnaker pole makes a good "tent ridge" forward, while the boom 
supported by my dodger frame with a heavy line secured to the backstay 
make a good tent ridge aft.  I always throw one or two old lines over 
the top of my plastic cover to prevent flapping.
17.  Outboard dingy motors need to be flushed and I store mine in the 
basement to prevent freezing.
18.  I take all the boat cushions off the boat for the winter to prevent 
odors and possible mildew.
19. I also take what electronics I can off the boat such as chart 
plotters, radios, etc.  Frozen batteries in electronics are not good.
20. The canvas for my dodger and bimini come home to be cleaned and 
water proofed.
21. I don't do much cleaning of the hull or deck as there is always 
dust, dirt and grime on the boat in the spring.
22. I need a 15 foot ladder to climb up on my boat when she is on the hard.

Hope this helps!

Chuck Finn
Commodore

On 10/4/2010 12:50 PM, Bruce Liese wrote:
> www.sailingmates.com/winterizeyourboat.htm
>
> >>> Joey Baker 10/04/10 11:40 AM >>>
> Hello,
>
> This will be my first attempt at winterizing a C-38 and was wondering 
> if there is a checklist floating around or some of you all had some 
> pointers for me.  Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Cheers,
> Joey Baker
>
>
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