I was planning to keep the boat in the water for a while up here in
Boston. I was thinking about draining all the fresh water out and
replacing it with anti freeze. either I am either too lazy or worried
that if I disconnect and bypass the hot water heater I will mees it
up. I am wondering if anything will happen to the antifreeze in the
next month or 2 if it gets heated by in the water heater. I am
planning not to do much at this time to the waste water sytem as I
like having some conforts.
What do you think? can I just put antifreeze in the fresh water sytem
or do I really need to disconnect the water heater from the loop?

thanks

There are two materials used for anti-freeze these days, ethylene
glycol, which is widely used in automotive applications, and propylene
glycol, which is sold for many marine applications.

Ethylene glycol is a little cheaper and more widely available. It is
poisonous to humans in large doses and to some animals in small doses.
On the other hand, propylene glycol is approved by the FDA as a food
additive and should be your choice for this use.

Either can be used as an antifreeze and coolant in engines, so
occasional heating in a hot water heater would be no problem at all.

Be careful to get the water heater actually filled with a mixture that
will freeze below -10F (for Boston) -- simply putting the freshwater
pump intake into a bucket filled with a -10F mixture and opening the
faucets one at a time might leave the water heater with mostly water
inside. Better to drain everything and then fill with -50F mixture.
This will cost a couple of bucks more, but what's a new water heater
worth?

Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com


(Richard Malcolm) wrote in message om...
I was planning to keep the boat in the water for a while up here in
Boston. I was thinking about draining all the fresh water out and
replacing it with anti freeze. either I am either too lazy or worried
that if I disconnect and bypass the hot water heater I will mees it
up. I am wondering if anything will happen to the antifreeze in the
next month or 2 if it gets heated by in the water heater. I am
planning not to do much at this time to the waste water sytem as I
like having some conforts.
What do you think? can I just put antifreeze in the fresh water sytem
or do I really need to disconnect the water heater from the loop?

thanks

Richard,
No need to go without your creature comforts.
You need to install a water heater bypass. This will save you 6 gallons of
antifreeze if you plan to fill or flush the system with antifreeze. You can
further simplify things by installing a drain valve on your water tank and a
bypass valve with a long flexible tube to suck antifreeze directly from a
jug, just before the pump. You also need to install a bypass to the pump or
a low point drain to allow the lines to drain. Then run the pump to deliver
antifreeze to the faucets and head (if it uses fresh water). If you have a
shoreside water hookup fitting, you need to pump a little antifreeze thru it
or dislodge the check valve to break the suction while draining the system.
Takes about a gallon of antifreeze to winterize or re-winterize. No
antifreeze in the tank or water heater. Easy line flush in the Spring. If
you have an electric water heater. turn it off so you don't burn out the
element. It sounds like a lot of work to set up, but if you really want to
join the "Frostbite Fleet" it will be worth the trouble.
Jim
"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message
m...
I was planning to keep the boat in the water for a while up here in
Boston. I was thinking about draining all the fresh water out and
replacing it with anti freeze. either I am either too lazy or worried
that if I disconnect and bypass the hot water heater I will mees it
up. I am wondering if anything will happen to the antifreeze in the
next month or 2 if it gets heated by in the water heater. I am
planning not to do much at this time to the waste water sytem as I
like having some conforts.
What do you think? can I just put antifreeze in the fresh water sytem
or do I really need to disconnect the water heater from the loop?

thanks

It sounds like a lot of work to set up, but if you really want to
join the "Frostbite Fleet" it will be worth the trouble.

I *know* Richard is a member of the "Frostbite Fleet" - he used to go out
in Boston harbor in his little, totally open, boat all winter long.
BBBrRRR!

Hey, am I mistaken or it 100% anti-freez NOT as effective as when it's
mixed in the recommended proportions? Or it is just that is isn't
necessary?


Gary

I understand the same thing.

Specifically that 100% anitfreeze, in an engine cooling situation, may not
absorb or release heat quickly enough to adequately cool the engine.

The mixture is designed to balance the lower freezing temperature with the
ability to absorb and release heat at an effective rate.

Hey, am I mistaken or it 100% anti-freez NOT as effective as when it's
mixed in the recommended proportions? Or it is just that is isn't
necessary?

I *know* Richard is a member of the "Frostbite Fleet" - he used to go out
in Boston harbor in his little, totally open, boat all winter long.
BBBrRRR!

Hey, am I mistaken or it 100% anti-freez NOT as effective as when it's
mixed in the recommended proportions? Or it is just that is isn't
necessary?


Gary

Hey Gary
I think that might be true in engines, where it should be called
antifreeze/antiboil but I am not sure that it would be the same for
the fresh water system. from what I understand is that you use
it('pink stuff' -50degrees)at full strength.
But that is why I put the question on this site to learn more.
good to hear from you-hope that all is well/ let me know if you want
to go out in the cold weather. still awfully nice.