Drain the Water Tanks in the Winter?
- Thread starter Jeff_e_d
- Start date
We drained the tank when we were not using the boat for a few weeks. We fitted a Par Jabsco diaphragm pump so that it would suck water right out of the "T" in the water line as it went across the boat on the floor. Anytime that a frost is predicted I would want my water lines empty, unless the boat was heated.
mikeporterinmd
New member
A frost won't necessarily cause damage, but once it's that cold, it
can be darn annoying to get the water lines thawed to the point
where they do drain.
A small amount of water in the bottom of the tank won't cause a
problem (think ice cube tray), but you do want the lines empty
or filled with anti-freeze when a good freeze comes on.
For that reason, we never dump anti-freeze into the tank, we drain the
tank near empty, disconnect it, and then pump anti-freeze
through the lines. That way, your tank doesn't end up with lots of
anti-freeze taste in the spring.
The C-Dory manual has ideas for how to drain the tank when you
have a foot pump...basically, siphon it out. If the siphoning works
well enough to drain the line and pump, then I would dispense
with antifreeze.
Mike
can be darn annoying to get the water lines thawed to the point
where they do drain.
A small amount of water in the bottom of the tank won't cause a
problem (think ice cube tray), but you do want the lines empty
or filled with anti-freeze when a good freeze comes on.
For that reason, we never dump anti-freeze into the tank, we drain the
tank near empty, disconnect it, and then pump anti-freeze
through the lines. That way, your tank doesn't end up with lots of
anti-freeze taste in the spring.
The C-Dory manual has ideas for how to drain the tank when you
have a foot pump...basically, siphon it out. If the siphoning works
well enough to drain the line and pump, then I would dispense
with antifreeze.
Mike
flapbreaker
New member
I installed a wash down pump in the water line so I'll use it for emptying the tank. Forget using the foot pump for 20 gallons.
Last year I didn't drain the tank and wouldn't you know it we had unusually cold weather for about a week it was 20 degrees. That was enough to freeze the water lines. Fortunately there was no damage done. This year I'm going to empty the tank which means we will have a mild winter :smilep
Last year I didn't drain the tank and wouldn't you know it we had unusually cold weather for about a week it was 20 degrees. That was enough to freeze the water lines. Fortunately there was no damage done. This year I'm going to empty the tank which means we will have a mild winter :smilep
The siphon trick works well with the foot pump. When the boat is on the trailer, I stick one end of a plastic tube over the spout of the faucet, throw the other end out the window. 4 or 5 steps on the foot pump to get the air out of the tubing, put the outside end inside a cup or other container (below the level of the tank) to keep bubbles out of the line, then ignore it for a while and the tank empties itself.
Guess each of us have our own ways. I travel a bit...and we never know when that freak...or not so freak real cold spell will hit....like when yer out in Seattle enjoying the boat show and C-Dory folks for a week....
So... I did the wal-mart pink anti-freeze gig....and made sure I had ran it thru the lines good prior to leaving the boat. Then, just flushed everything out good with city water (enough chlorine to choke a good horse) wiped it all out and also removed "most" of the pink stuff taste.
I generally only used the tank water to wash dishes with...or shower... and really made a hard effort not to drink my shower water.
Used gallons of bottled water for drinking and cooking too.
Bottom line...do something to keep your rig in working order... many options, just pick one. Many work just fine based on what YOU like and dislike and how you use yer stuff.
Byrdman
So... I did the wal-mart pink anti-freeze gig....and made sure I had ran it thru the lines good prior to leaving the boat. Then, just flushed everything out good with city water (enough chlorine to choke a good horse) wiped it all out and also removed "most" of the pink stuff taste.
I generally only used the tank water to wash dishes with...or shower... and really made a hard effort not to drink my shower water.
Used gallons of bottled water for drinking and cooking too.
Bottom line...do something to keep your rig in working order... many options, just pick one. Many work just fine based on what YOU like and dislike and how you use yer stuff.
Byrdman
The last couple of years I've drained and pumped the tank out and then added some RV antifreeze, although the foot pump still appeared to freeze solid during the winter. I think the pump is just a rubber flapper valve and so this year I have just drained and pumped what I could but am going to skip the antifreeze step. I don't think what little water remains is going to do any damage to the rubber pump and plastic tubing.
Al
Al
Instead of anti-freeze, dump in a bottle of tequilla. Same purpose, no "objectionable" taste in the spring. In the spring time, add a couple bottles of margarita mix and by the time you get to the ramp, drinks are ready. :cocktail
Seriously though, I just leave a heater in the boat over the winter. If you get one designed for RV's or boats, the low temp setting keeps the boat bove freezing without using much power (here in the NW that is).
Seriously though, I just leave a heater in the boat over the winter. If you get one designed for RV's or boats, the low temp setting keeps the boat bove freezing without using much power (here in the NW that is).