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Winterize

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C25BC
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Canada
203 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/30/2017 : 10:25:49

After a excellent first summer of sailing Tempus it's time to start thinking of the pending winter . Is there a drain for the water tank ? Or is it recommended to use a potable anti-freeze ? On my C22 I just poured a cheap bottle of rum in the water tank always kept from freezing up plus made for intersesting coffee in the spring . The C25 tank is somewhat larger .

Angus
S.V.Tempus
#4748
1984 Catalina 25 SK/SR/Trad.

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2017 : 11:25:24

Two bottles???

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2017 : 15:50:40

Although the cheap rot gut is interesting I would empty the tank then pump some pink antifreeze into the lines. 3 ways to empty the tank is to pump the faucet for a day. Well maybe not a day but it will seem like it. Another if you have an inspection port on top of the tank just pump it out or if not disconnect the hose at the bottom of the tank and let it drain to the bilge then ppump the bilge dry.since your in Canada I would get all of the water out.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - islander on 09/30/2017 15:52:40

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5351 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2017 : 18:23:53

It's funny, I pumped my sink faucet for about 5 minutes until the water started spurting and gurgling. I thought the tank was empty. Then the next day, I did the same exact thing. There was still water in there. It seems like air is getting into the line somewhere.

Some time ago, I decided I no longer want to use the tank because it's prone to generating green gunk. So I removed the starboard settee cushion, removed the seatboard screws and opened the tank access area.

On top of my tank is a bung with a hex head, so I opened it up using a pipe wrench and suctioned out the water using my kayak bilge pump. There was about 2 quarts in the "empty" tank.

After I pumped it out with the kayak pump, a bit of water remained in the bottom of the tank, so I pumped that out using the faucet handle and dried it using a sponge.

While the tank is not usable for me, I still need water for washing and drinking aboard. For the former, I fill several 1 gallon jugs that I fill at the marina and keep on the floor of the head area.

For drinking water, I have four 60 oz polycarbonate OJ jugs that I fill at home and recycle often.

I also purchased a blue Coleman 5 gallon water jug for long trips. It has a built-in spigot for dispensing water. Works great for weekends and overnights. After the trip I empty it and bring it back home.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 09/30/2017 18:34:29

bigelowp
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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 06:36:56

While I love the concept of using cheap rum for winter "Prep" and spring "cheer", the cheap rum, like any booze, will separate from the water so you will have alcohol on top and water settling to the bottom, which makes it a very inconsistent brew that could cause ice and damage where and when you least want it. I would think that draining thoroughly like Bruce discusses above would be a preferred route to take.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Edited by - bigelowp on 10/01/2017 12:50:56

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 07:55:55

Peregrine is stored on the North shore of Long Island where it does freeze in the winter. Some winters are colder than others.
I stopped worrying about the water tank years ago with no consequences. I fill the tank every spring and use that water for washing dishes and showering after cleaning the bottom. This uses enough water that the frozen water has room to expand. There has never been any problem with the hoses.
Water expands 9% when frozen So if you have used just 1 gallon of water over the summer you should have enough room for expansion.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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C25BC
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Canada
203 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 07:59:23

It was probably lucky are winters were relatively mild , last winter was exceptionally severe and temperatures were well below zero for a extended period . Lucky enough we sold the 22 in November and bought the 25 end of February. I'll do it right this fall.

Angus
S.V.Tempus
#4748
1984 Catalina 25 SK/SR/Trad.

C25BC
Navigator

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Canada
203 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 08:01:37

quote:
Originally posted by Peregrine

Peregrine is stored on the North shore of Long Island where it does freeze in the winter. Some winters are colder than others.
I stopped worrying about the water tank years ago with no consequences. I fill the tank every spring and use that water for washing dishes and showering after cleaning the bottom. This uses enough water that the frozen water has room to expand. There has never been any problem with the hoses.
Water expands 9% when frozen So if you have used just 1 gallon of water over the summer you should have enough room for expansion.

That's a very interesting statement and does make sense .

Angus
S.V.Tempus
#4748
1984 Catalina 25 SK/SR/Trad.

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 08:13:38

I do recommend pumping out more than 1 gallon.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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C25BC
Navigator

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Canada
203 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 08:19:54

It should be down that much , I will check it out . It's the water that was in the tank when we bought it . The lake where it's at hasn't frozen where the marina us in years . It's shallow in that area but drops to 900 ft in some areas

Angus
S.V.Tempus
#4748
1984 Catalina 25 SK/SR/Trad.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9075 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 08:46:54

I would expect that the alcohol in your rum evaporated over the winter, and the tank withstood the freezing as John describes--it's relatively flexible. RV antifreeze doesn't evaporate--ever. Most things in your system can probably take the pressure of freezing--except your pump faucet--it might break. Best to pump the lines until you're sucking air.

There are two kinds of "pink stuff" on the market these days--the cheaper being a mixture of ethanol and propylene glycol, and the slightly more expensive (like by a buck) being pure propylene glycol. Articles I've seen strongly recommend the latter to preserve things like rubber seals and other internals in pumps. P-G is literally a lubricant--good for the seals in a head or pump. Alcohol is sort of the opposite. Look for "Pure Propylene Glycol".

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/01/2017 12:41:52

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 11:46:26

Water in the tank can freeze without damage as long as it's not full and there's room for expansion. Ice trays don't crack because they are open at the top. The problem is in enclosed areas without expansion room such as the faucet or valves and will crack in a hard freeze. The hoses are vinyl and are likely able to expand without damage.Imho why take the chance. It's just not that big of a job for the peace of mind.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - islander on 10/01/2017 11:49:35

C25BC
Navigator

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Canada
203 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2017 : 18:58:09

There is a Culligan water filter mounted at the outlet of the water tank , how would the glycol affect the filter ? I would imagine you have to pull the cartridge .?

Angus
S.V.Tempus
#4748
1984 Catalina 25 SK/SR/Trad.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9075 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2017 : 12:26:47

quote:
Originally posted by C25BC

There is a Culligan water filter mounted at the outlet of the water tank , how would the glycol affect the filter ? I would imagine you have to pull the cartridge .?

It would seem so.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2017 : 13:44:56

The filter probably need a new filter come spring. Yep, Open it up, Dump the water and remove the filter. Put a new one in come spring.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

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