Trojan Boat Forum

Should I just drain all the water?

Boat Winterizing Checklist

* Winterization Tank - This is a gravity feed system that allows you to safely run antifreeze into your system without damaging your water-pump.
* Fuel Stabilizer - Prevents fuel from deteriorating in to varnish and then gumming up your carburetor.
* Fogging Oil - Fogging the engine prevents rust in the cylinders and crankcase.
* Gear Lube - Changing the gear lube on your outboard or stern drives at winterizing is recommended. Even a little water trapped inside the gear-case can cause damage, especially if it is allowed to freeze.
* Antifreeze - Be sure to use environmentally safe antifreeze to protect the environment.
o Pink Antifreeze - (-50) Used in fresh water systems, holding tanks, water heaters, toilets, ballast systems, and many other applications.
o Blue or Green Antifreeze - (-100) For use in engines because this antifreeze contains rust inhibitors.
* Oil Change Pumps - Take the hassle out of changing you oil with one of our convenient fluid extractors.
* Boat Cover - Is your cover in good shape, do you need a new cover, or just a couple of products to make sure it keeps your boat clean and dry this Winter?
* Waterproofing Compound - Recommended yearly by many manufactures to keep your cover in perfect working order.
* Cover Support Systems - Keeping your boat cover supported properly will make sure your cover makes it through the Winter.
* Mildew Control - Prevent mold this Winter with one of these great options.
o Electric Air Dryer - Damp air is heated to the point that moisture is held in suspension. This electric dehumidifier is the most effective way to fight moisture.
o Mildew Control Bags - Dries air to a level where mildew and associated musty odors will not form. Formaldehyde free non-toxic.
o Manual Dehumidifier - Keeps your boat or RV fresh, dry, and clean smelling by absorbing more than its own weight in moisture.
* Bottom & Hull Cleaners - Clean the the slim and grassy marine growth off your boat bottom the easy way with or hull cleaners available for fiberglass and aluminum.

Draining it is probably the easiest, but you need to make sure you get ALL the water out of the lines.
If you have access to an air compressor, you can blow all the water out.


Would be safer to fill the lines from the pump with pink antifreeze. Either put a bucket-full into the hose and run the pump with all the faucets open, or force it through the lines via some kind of pump.

I don't recommend pumping Antifreeze into your Hot Water tank.
Drain the tank via the valve on the bottom (unhook the lines), and leave the pressure relief valve open.
Done.
It's not the freezing that cracks and breaks stuff, it's the expansion. So, by leaving the pressure valve open, it allows the tank to breathe, even if you have a little water left in the bottom.