04 Sailfish Winterization Question

Legend

Legend

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
1,480
Reaction score
205
Points
63
Location
Southern New England
Model
Sailfish
When I dropped off my Boat at the dealer I tried to save on the winteriztion by doing a few things myself.

Poured 3 gallons of the pink stuuf into the fresh water and ran the system until pink came through all faucets hot and cold

Poured pink stuff into the head and flushed through the system. I left the boat in the water for the dealer to haul. I shut the seacock on the head and ran the electonic head with the knob to the left and to the right until pink ran through the system. The question I have did I not complete the process by running pink staff from the hull to the head?

Thanks
 
Did you pump the fresh water tank dry before adding pink? Any remaining water will dilute the antifreeze, raising it's freeze point. Did you drain and bypass you water heater (thinking you have one). If not, you need to do that, or the water heater tank/lines will freeze. Mine is located under the forward bunk.

Did you empty the holding tank, then flush plenty of pink thru the head, so the pump, valve and lines will not freeze?

When the boat is hauled, open the seacocks to drain any water left in the system. Tape a piece of cloth rag or your wife's old nylon stocking over the thru-hulls and hose-bib, to all any water drain and keep bugs out.
 
Capt Bill said:
Did you pump the fresh water tank dry before adding pink? Any remaining water will dilute the antifreeze, raising it's freeze point. Did you drain and bypass you water heater (thinking you have one). If not, you need to do that, or the water heater tank/lines will freeze. Mine is located under the forward bunk.

Did you empty the holding tank, then flush plenty of pink thru the head, so the pump, valve and lines will not freeze?

When the boat is hauled, open the seacocks to drain any water left in the system. Tape a piece of cloth rag or your wife's old nylon stocking over the thru-hulls and hose-bib, to all any water drain and keep bugs out.
Click to expand...


I drained the hot water tank and pumped out all of the fresh water before adding the anti freeze. After adding the anti freeze I ran the system until all faucets ran pink with anti freeze including the hot. I had to add several gallons to get it through the hot water. Sound like I should have by passed the hot water tank?
 
for what it's worth, i asked gw about installing a bypass (my first year with a water heater). they said they specifically recommend AGAINST installing a bypass. didn't get into the "why's" with them; it was done as far as i was concerned -- added an extra 6 gallons of antifreeze. ron
 
Why ?- we need to know!

Bypasses are all too common on mobile home hot water heaters.
 
BobP said:
Why ?- we need to know!

Bypasses are all too common on mobile home hot water heaters.
Click to expand...

understood. but for me, it's a brand new boat under warranty so i wasn't going against the grain. l'll try to get back to him and see if they have any particular reasons. ron
 
I would think dealer's reasons for not wanting a bypass installed:

1. his "techies" would not know proper procedure to winterize heater. e.g. KISS
2. without the bypass, he gets to sell more pink antifreeze. ;)
3. he's concerned that you or someone else, may turn on the breaker for the water heater, and burn up the element (since the tank would have been empty).

Maybe all three?

In any case, I am sure that installing one wouldnot void any warranty.
 
Capt Bill said:
I would think dealer's reasons for not wanting a bypass installed:

1. his "techies" would not know proper procedure to winterize heater. e.g. KISS
2. without the bypass, he gets to sell more pink antifreeze. ;)
3. he's concerned that you or someone else, may turn on the breaker for the water heater, and burn up the element (since the tank would have been empty).

Maybe all three?

In any case, I am sure that installing one wouldnot void any warranty.
Click to expand...

just to clarify, i didn't go to the dealer. i was corresponding directly with gw customer support. ron
 
I think they are trying to avoid a burn out, then claim it under warranty(makes perfect sense). A good way to avoid this, put a sticker on the breaker to remind you the next season.
 
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS said:
I think they are trying to avoid a burn out, then claim it under warranty(makes perfect sense). A good way to avoid this, put a sticker on the breaker to remind you the next season.
Click to expand...

had that thought in the back of my mind.
 
Perhaps the dealer charges more (labor) to do bypass drain, vs. just adding 6 more gallons in Fall, and he also has to charge an added expense in the Spring to refill HW heater via valving.

This may be one only DIYers can save at, but cost more at dealer.

Same warranty issue goes with mobile homes, but I bet more DIYers do it instead of hauling camper into dealer, especially if not so nearby.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.