Another winterizing question

[JoeLena]

I've read thru most of the winterizing threads and they seem to be all about winterizing for the entire season. I'm on a fresh water lake near Atlanta and sail year round mostly. I'm concerned about the upcoming cold snap and protection for a couple of days. Forecast is for around 6 degrees, the coldest it has been so far during my short ownership.

What should I do for protection for a couple of nights? I plan on going back out next weekend. It's a Catalina 27 in a marina slip with no electricity it that matters.

[marthur]

For a couple of nights, you need only worry about freezing up. Basically you have to replace the water inside the engine with anti-freeze. Don't forget the water lift muffler if you have one.

Most of the other winterization things are to prevent corrosion and fuel degradation. Those shouldn't be a problem for you.

DON'T FORGET your head and sink! Close all those through hulls!

[hanleyclifford]

In your situation the first thing I would do is ensure my two block drain plugs were out and clear and really did drain the block. The bottom of the block cooling chamber that surrounds the cylinder sleeves is where the greatest potential for danger lies. We have an active thread right now on the subject. Some water pumps also have a drain plug under the impeller housing. But the real solution in the long run is to have FWC with antifreeze in the block. Some members have also cobbled valves at the pump intake to draw antifreeze into the engine for winterizing. Whatever approach you take the objective shoud be to protect the block where it is most vulnerable.

[Marian Claire]

Is the boat in the water? Has your boat been set up to draw in antifreeze? Raw water or fresh water cooled? Easy access to the RW intake? Do you have a T-stat? Do you have access to power on the boat?
Dan S/V Marian Claire