removing the plug...

The little depression in our bilge has about 1/2" of water right now, and with last week's temps, it froze. I pulled the pump out of the strainer and ran some pink anti-freeze through it however, PRIOR to the big freeze, so it'll be fine. I don't think the 1/2-1" of ice will harm anything; JMO. And the bilge is always an experiment in mildew production due to the constant wetness there etc...

I blew out all the lines, so that's taken car of; the water pump? Who knows? Only other thing I worry about is the water heater; did I manage to drain enough out? Hard to tell, but the pump stopped, so it should be "drained".

I do have a small oil heater on in the house along w/ a fan from W. Marine so at least the "wetness" there is kept at bay.

Ah....winter... :evil: :thdown
 
My plug is a 1 1/4" brass. I have painted the exposed face first with white then fluorescent red paint. It can easily be seen from a long distance so I can check on it when walking after parking my truck towards the boat at launch time.
I also purchased a 1 1/4" plastic pipe cap, drilled a hole in it and bolted it in a conspicuous place on my motor bracket. That is where the plug is stored when not screwed in the hull and it can be seen also when walking back towards my boat at launch time. Works for me so far.
There is a very steep hill from the boat launch back up to the highway so the hull drains very well.
 
Super ideas. And really so easy.
In the meantime, my brother installed an outlet near my boat yesterday afternoon, so now I can take care of this a little easier. I will use my wet-dry vac to suck out any remaining water, (hopefully it has thawed) and then I will go with the anti-freeze idea. When I pick-up the anti-freeze, I'll also pick up the materials to help me never forget to put in the bilge plug.
It is so great to be able to tap into the experience of other owners.
Thanks.
Amanda
 
With regards to winterizing the lines, water pump and water heater I just run out all of the water and fill with 5-6 gallons of antifreeze and run through the system. I've done this the last three years without bypassing the water heater and have not had any problems. I did move the water pump from the bilge floor to the battery shelf a couple of years ago.

I also have a through hull cruisair ac. Last year instead of running antifreeze through it, which was a pain, I kept a small space heater on the floor near it. I keep the space heater on low to keep the cabin around 45-50 degrees and this seemed to eliminate the need to winterize the ac unit.

I'm on the boat almost everday since it's near my office so I check on things regularly plus the marina staff keep a close eye on things.

Dick
 
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