Winter ashore with no electric hookup

[sprocker]

For a boat that is ashore (MDL mercury) with no mains power connection, is there any tried and tested method of keeping the engine bay above freezing?

As she is now lifted I no longer have shore power hookup available to run the tube heater, which was on a thermostat set at 5degs, so I am a little concerned given the recent dip in temperatures.

I have done all the usual things like brimming the fuel tank, ensuring coolant anti-freeze levels are correct, draining fresh water system as far as possible, leaving all taps open etc. (I can't drain the black water tank but I am assured that it is/was empty).

This is our new (To us) boat so I'm still feeling my way around her.

[BruceK]

Congrats! Tell us more Your best bet is to make sure she has no water in her at all. I would not rely on any heater, you never know when they may be inadequate against the weather or power outage etc (because you know someone will borrow your source for the weekend to do some work before politely plugging you back in etc) and they lend a false sense of security. Dry air doesn't freeze. I empty all including Anti Freeze which I drain to a bucket and run through the raw water systems to an external bucket

[sprocker]

Congrats! Tell us more Your best bet is to make sure she has no water in her at all. I would not rely on any heater, you never know when they may be inadequate against the weather or power outage etc (because you know someone will borrow your source for the weekend to do some work before politely plugging you back in etc) and they lend a false sense of security. Dry air doesn't freeze. I empty all including Anti Freeze which I drain to a bucket and run through the raw water systems to an external bucket

I'll take some photos when I go to do some work on her at the weekend and post them.....although forum members are probably familiar with her anyway.

Would you be able to explain your method of running the anti-freeze through the raw water system? Mine are VP D3/190's, so I assume the principle will be the same as yours?

[BruceK]

On the main heat exchanger there are two hose pipes / outlets, see pic, just under airfilter housing and coolant resevoir. One is raw water and the other antifreeze water.



Drain both. Close off raw water again. Take antifreeze water you collected and pour down the raw water strainer above the impeller catching it in a bucket below the outdrives AFTER first giving a liberal flush out with fresh water to rid yourself of any salt deposits. Open the heat exchanger raw water feed again and drain again. Look for the hoses lowest on the engine that feeds the thermostat housing (Antifreeze and raw). Decouple and drain the last of the raw water and Antifreeze out.

Note: Our winters do not really require the draining of the antifreeze, but it does have a additive shelf life and the stuff has got as complex as engine oils and nearly as expensive too. I think the recommended interval is 3-4 years. Which is about the same in average hours as an engine oil change. We change oil seasonally and so I change antifreeze too, just because. Either way, I'd flush out the intercoolers with AF just to be safe. Make sure you put the correct recommended anti freeze back in when the new season comes.

[BruceK]

Pics are good. Just tell us what you bought though. Pleased for you what ever it is and may you have many happy memories and sea miles in her.

WHAT IS IT????!!!!

[mlines]

Mercury has shore power in the car-park, are you too far away from that?

Had a nice afternoon on your boat in the sunshine in Studland Bay earlier this year.

[BruceK]

gah! More suspense.

[sprocker]

Mercury has shore power in the car-park, are you too far away from that?

Had a nice afternoon on your boat in the sunshine in Studland Bay earlier this year.

Martin - That's interesting, thankyou for your info. I was told there was no power by one of the girls in the office, but I have since found out she is new so looks like
she gave me false info. I'm going over on Saturday so I will sort it out then.

Bruce - She is a Sessa C30 which, after we had viewed and expressed an interest in her, discovered she was owned by a forum member before he upgraded to his current (Very nice!) boat. A neighbor in our marina has a C30 and we have always admired it for it's size/layout etc. For a 30/31 foot boat she just 'feels' bigger, very deceptive. The sea trial was a bit of an eye opener too, she handled the flat out run on a very choppy Southampton Water with ease, much better than I expected and very much better than I am used to. Unfortunately buying at this time of year means apart from a couple of short trips out, we won't get to use her until the New Year when we cruise around to Torquay.

[mlines]

Sprocker,

As you have now declared your hand I feel I can post a picture or two....





The power is around the edges of the car park so could be all taken by "regulars"

[sprocker]

Thankyou Martin, those are two that I haven't seen before. I have to say that 'M' has been an absolute gem with all the info that he has supplied to me.

Just going to get her serviced then back in the water and await a decent weather window for the trip around Portland Bill!