Winterizing CD-25

[mkendrick]

This is my first winter with my 2006 CD-25 and need a step by step procedure for winterization. So far, I have:

1. Drained the water tank and added 3 gals of RV antifreeze.
2. Turned on the cold water until antifreeze comes out sink faucet.
3. Pumped out holding tank until clear water runs out.
4. Added 2 gals of antifreeze to holding tank and ran some thru to
the toilet bowl.

What I am not sure about is what I have done to the hot water heater which is as follows:

1. Opened the hose coming from the water heater
2. Had to turn on the water pressure to get the water to escape
through the thru-hole.
3. I have not opened the hot water faucet.

Although the water came out and went into the creek I also had
water come into the cabin bilge and drain out onto the floor. Not
sure how that water came about.

What else should I be doing. Thanks for any help.

 

[localboy]

If you open the over-pressure valve, then open the drain hose, the water heater will self drain into the shower bilge which will then pump it overboard.

I added a heater by-pass kit so I just drain the heater and I don't need to fill it w/ anti-freeze. The by-pass kit is available at most RV stores. Then I run the hot lines until the pink stuff comes out the hot water lines (sink & shower) too. The heater remains empty via this method and come spring I just re-fill it when needed.

I also run anti-freeze thru the water pump, the bilge pump and the mascerator.

 

[Sea Angel]

Sea Angel is a 2005.
Winterizing kept simple for this simple 'yankee' using only the water pump:

1. Open cold water faucet at the sink, pump out all water till air starts to appear; then close the faucet.

2. I add 6 gals of 'pink' antifreeze to the main water tank.
(NOTE my hot water tank holds 6gals and this will accommodate that demand.)

3. Open the cold water faucet at the sink again waiting till pink water appears - then shut the faucet off.

4. Open the cold water faucet to the shower 'hose' and repeat step #3.

5. Open the hot water faucet to the sink till pink water appears - then shut the sink faucet off.

6. Open the hot water faucet to the shower 'hose' and repeat step #5.

7. DONE with water system, now the rest.

8. Pump out holding tank and add 1 gal antifreeze thru head.

9. If the boat is out of the water, open all seacocks to drain standing water and empty any strainer(s), such as to an a/c unit; then close all seacocks.

I find I can do this in a very short period of time and I have not had to break any of the factory seals on any plumbing.

I do have a heater bypass kit, but found the factory seals secure enough, I think they must have used '5200', that I looked for another option; which I have shared above. For me to break the factory seals will generate extra expenses for replacement of the fittings, etc.; besides the water heater still works fine.

Here in Virginia Beach we do get periods of extended freezing periodically, but not nearly as much as my fellow Brats in PNW and other non-boating areas. Since 1988, I have been able to boat all but a few weeks of the year as long as I refraim from the shallow creeks that will for surface, razor, ice.

Hope this helps.

ART