Dagnabbit -- I should've been paying attention the weather!

M

Mike...

New member
I've had so busy lately, that I failed to notice that there was a snow storm coming. And it's going to get down to freezing tonight and all day tomorrow.

So, I went out to the TomCat to drain the bilge and fish boxes, which already have a thin layer of ice in them.

The bilge drained fine, and the port fish box drained except for that thin layer of ice. But, the starboard fishbox pump would not come on. The light on the switch did not come on either. So, I am guessing that the fuse blew.

Would one of you TomCat owners tell me where the fuse is for the starboard fishbox macerator? And what kind of fuse it is?

Here's the bad thing:

As I said, I was not expecting this weather. Unfortunately, I have no marine antifreeze on hand. I can pick up some tomorrow, but the water in those lines will likely be frozen by then.

How bad is this likely to be? Is there anything I can do at this point to mitigate any damage from freezing?

I really hate those damn fishboxes!
---
a very unhappy mike
 
My fuses are located in the electrical panel behind the steering wheel. These auto style fuses are easy to see and easy to replace. Mine are marked as to their purpose. Sorry I can't get to the boat tonight to figure which fuse handles the pump circuit.
 
If you have power to the boat you could at least put a portable heater in the pilot house. Of course that wouldn't help the cockpit. Maybe a lightbulb in the starboard fish box? Good Luck.
 
Hello Marvin,

I think I am ok in the house. Those water lines were drained and antifreezed before the boat was delivered to me. And, the dehumidifier does put out some heat.

The starboard fishbox is 3/4 full of water. Not sure how I would get a bulb in there without leaving it open.
---
mike
 
mjsiega":2rrpp3s2 said:
Maybe try mixing some windshield washer fluid in the lines before they have a chance to freeze?
Click to expand...
How about regular car antifreeze?

Of course, I won't be able to get any in the starboard line.

Do I need to worry about the bilge?
---
mike
 
The fishbox fuses should be on the transom inside the hatches on the inner transom. They might be under the seat lid with the batteries, but more likely are mounted in individual waterproof fuse holders on the transom. The fuses for the bilge pumps are here as well.

If water in the pump has frozen that could cause the fuse to blow.
 
Hello Matt,

I'll see if I can find that fuse in the daylight tomorrow.

You may be right that it blew when I activated it, but the LED on the switch never came on, not even for an instant. Still, it's the logical conclusion. I know the pump worked a week or so ago.
---
mike
 
I think I'd try to siphon the water out and put a heat gun or hair dryer on the pump maybe it you get enough water out put a heater in it. I wouldn't use auto antifreeze it's pretty toxic maybe alcohol?

on edit be very careful what ever electrical device you might use.
 
If it were mine...I would put an electric heater 1300-1500w in the cockpit, crack open the fish boxes...and then put a tarp over the cockpit and secure it . It should hold enough heat to keep any hard freezing form occurring.


PS:...I would move further south at the first opportunity...afterward.
 
Well, we have had about 4 inches of snow so far. The weather report says up to a foot tonight, with more snow tomorrow. What a fluke storm. We normally don't get this kind of snow here, or so the old timers tell me.

So, I am wondering what is the worst-case scenario I am facing.

If the hose splits between the fish box and the macerator how hard will that be to replace?

The big concern I have is the box itself. Above I wrote that it was 3/4 full. My wife says it was closer to half (I hope she is right). I am concerned about the water in the box icing up and cracking or busting the box. Any thoughts on this?
---
A very worried mike
 
marvin4239":3976p0cx said:
I wouldn't use auto antifreeze it's pretty toxic maybe alcohol?
Click to expand...
Given the amount of snow we are likely to have in the morning, the best I can hope for at this point is carefully shoveling out enough snow to get that box open and pour something into the water to keep it from freezing hard. You think a cup or two of auto antifreeze would be too hard on the gelcoat?

I am hoping one of the marine stores will be open and I can get some marine antifreeze to pour in there instead.

As I said, I am mostly worried about the fish box at this point.

I assume the snow in the cockpit otherwise does not pose any particular threat, correct?
---
mike, who wishes he lived in Florida.
 
My fuses are in the battery compartment under the middle cockpit seat. Start the one that runs and pull the fuses until it quits. Then find one that looks like it. The wires run directly to the batteries. Good luck. I have the same problems... My boat is on a lift.


6inches here in the lower Potomac...


Charlie
 
My fuses are in the battery compartment under the middle cockpit seat. Start the one that runs and pull the fuses until it quits. Then find one that looks like it. The wires run directly to the batteries. Good luck. I have the same problems... My boat is on a lift.


6 inches here in the lower Potomac... Snow that is, I wish... :oops:

BTW, don't forget to put a gallon down the shower drain and wait until the drain pump pumps out pink into the river...
also, open the water heater drain and let thet 6 gal box drain...do this before you put the stuff into the shower drain.


Charlie
 
Heat up some water (quart or so) and add rock salt (cup or so) and stir to dissolve it. Take the hot salty solution out there and add it, with stirring, to the fish box. The salt will prevent hard freezing.
 
Captains Cat":28irqzqh said:
BTW, don't forget to put a gallon down the shower drain and wait until the drain pump pumps out pink into the river...
also, open the water heater drain and let thet 6 gal box drain...do this before you put the stuff into the shower drain.
Click to expand...
The good news is that the water system was prepped for the winter. I went to drain it a while back and there was nothing in it but a little antifreeze.

As you may have seen in another thread, I have been trying for weeks to get a storage cover made for the TomCat, with no luck. Wish that would have worked out.

However, had I known we would get snow like this, I would have found some inside storage somewhere. In the last few years we have lived here, the only snow I have seen is an occasional dusting.

Again, I say that I hate those damn fishboxes.
---
mike
 
Papillon":2wh15n4u said:
If it were mine...I would put an electric heater 1300-1500w in the cockpit, crack open the fish boxes...and then put a tarp over the cockpit and secure it . It should hold enough heat to keep any hard freezing form occurring.

PS:...I would move further south at the first opportunity...afterward.
Click to expand...
Hello Mike,

I'm afraid it's a little too late for that now. And beside the load on the tarp would probably be too much.

But I am seriously considering your second suggestion. :)
---
mike
 
AstoriaDave":3ot4zuen said:
Heat up some water (quart or so) and add rock salt (cup or so) and stir to dissolve it. Take the hot salty solution out there and add it, with stirring, to the fish box. The salt will prevent hard freezing.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm. That's an interesting idea. If I can't get a couple gallons of the pink stuff, I might try that.

Thanks.
---
mike
 
If you have that much snow on top...you may be just fine...it should not freeze hard with that much insulation...keep the good thought...after all it's only a boat...nothing that money can't correct.
 
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