"Reactive" Winterization???

[risctaker]

Hi. Newbie here. Name is Steve. Just bought a 1970 Trojan Tri-Cabin from someone who never should have owned a boat. This old girl is in the water and has NOT been winterized! I am now scrambling to see what I can do to mitigate any possible (further?) damage. I have already located and closed all 12 seacocks but the intake / discharge hoses are still full of raw water. The engines were never run dry and the hoses are also filled with sea water. Why I haven't seen any burst hoses up to this point is a miracle but I want to get done what can still be done to get her through the rest of the winter. My thinking is to simply install a few portable heaters in the various mechanical spaces and wait until spring when I can haul it out. Any comments from the old timers?? Thanks!

[rbcool]

Welcome to the forum Steve!!!
First thing........ can you start the engines??

Ron

[risctaker]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the welcome!. No, I would not venture to start the engines at this point. Brief history. The guy I bought the boat from got it in April 2008 and took it up to NJ from Maryland. All engines, Genset, etc were running fine at that point. This guy, however, only wanted the Trojan as a liveaboard so never ran the engines or genset again. I had the gas tested in all the tanks and they are loaded with water! So...MUCH work has to be done to rescue this old girl! Since the engines were never run again in the past 3 years, and were not run dry at that time, I have to think the Carbs would have to be re-built.

[jimbo36]

Welcome to the forum,

The carbs are the least of your problems, as are the hoses. The expensive issue would be engines, drives and V-drives. Did I understand you to say this boat has been in the water for 3 years? So, it could have frozen in past years? Sounds like a money pit. You should be aware that it's present value is low. In fact, the cost of one engine could exceed it's value. Jimbo36

[risctaker]

Understood. The boat has been in the water for two years but has had the zincs replaced via a diver at the marina. The guy I bought it from lived aboard so had the boat heated past 2 winters. This is the first winter the boat has been sitting empty and cold. The boat had a reasonably good survey and sea trial in April 2008. I'm hoping to pull the plugs on the engines and genset, fog the cylinders and spin the motors to see if they still move OK. If so, I plan to re-build the carbs and try to get them fired up with a jerry can in the spring until I can pump the tanks clear of the bad gas. I do all my own work, so no outside "expensive" help needed. For point of reference, I paid $930.00 for the boat so I think I have some room to play. Hey Ron, do you boat on Lake Ontario?

[alexander38]

Welcome along side . I'd just get the heaters on her and pray. And start making a list of stuff to do to her. And if you have a list of questions we'll give a list of answers. And be careful of King Paul and Ron they're smarta$$es

[risctaker]

Thanks! Heading down there tomorrow after work with several heaters to place in the mechanical spaces. When I closed the seacocks the water in them was not frozen and none of the hoses show signs that they had been frozen (i.e. bulging, splitting, etc) So..I'm hopeful that my investment in time will pay off and the engines will spin free and fire in the spring with some encouragement. I would be more than happy to lean on the combined experience of all you Trojan Guys and Gals out there. I'll need all the help I can get.

[rbcool]

The IQ of my A$$ is 141 thank you

Be carefull of heaters in the bilge, gotta make sure no gas fumes. Maybe a fuel shut off at the tank??
What engines do you have?? Closed cooled??
I think you have me confused with Jimbo, he might boat on that lake. Might take me a few hours to get there I'm on the Great Chesapeake Bay.

Ron

[prowlersfish]

Please use a safe heater rated for a marine engine room

[Torcan]

Welcome aboard, from your posts and comments, it is obvious that you are certainly not a newbie to marine and engines. However, there is a huge knowledge base here of some really smart guys. Good luck on the old lady, she probably deserves some TLC now.

[alexander38]

Yes don't use house heaters in the engine room but I'd guess you know that, thought on hoses and the water in them , chances are after setting for 3 yrs the only water in them is even with the water line . Pull them at the seacocks and get has much out as you can.

And Ron your a$$ can't be that smart.

[k9th]

Welcome aboard Steve. I hope you can get her taken care of. I have a '79 tri-cabin and love it.

[Peter]

welcome and good luck with the rehab....oh and the Nics suck

[risctaker]

Thanks to all you guys for your welcome and comments. I like this forum already!. I bought this boat as a challenge to my 30 years of boat ownership ranging from 12' to 52' gas, wind and diesel. The low purchase price gives me some wiggle room to buy parts to make her healthy again (if feasible). As you all correctly pointed out, the first order of business is to get some (safe) heat into the machinery compartments. As soon as I can I will determine the viability of the motors, genset, A/C etc. If the damage is deemed to exceed the cost and effort, I will part her out and move on to another project. I'll keep you guys & gals (if any?) Posted. Thanks again. Steve (BTW - Yeah the Nics do suck)

[prowlersfish]

risctaker
If you have 330 hp then you have 440 cid the marine 383 was 280 hp could cause some parts issues