Packed up and winterized

[alsantini]

I have been out of the water for a few weeks now due to a cruise up the East coast and generally things that get in the way of sailing.  We have decided on a leave date heading south to Florida after Christmas, so I needed to winterize the Yanmar.  I decided that this winterizing would also include a fuel filter change (two) and a new impeller for the raw water pump.  The first fuel filter with water separator was cemented on!  Not really but I could not get it off with my normal filter wrenches.  Apparently, the previous mechanic did not want that baby to fall off or suck air, so he TIGHTENED it!  Eventually I got it off with the help of filter pliers.  No water in the separator and clean fuel in the filter said things are OK.  Replaced the filter, filled it with clean diesel and re-installed it, after coating the gasket with diesel.  The on-engine filter was a breeze to replace.  I pumped the fuel pump manually until no bubbles came out of the bleed screw hole and called it done!  I needed to bypass the raw water inlet since I am not in the water and wanted to use a 5 gal bucket with a garden hose fill.  Once my replacement 3/4 hose was in place and the bucket filled, I started up the iron genoa.  It coughed a bit but after a few tries ran as usual.  Apparently just a bit of air to run out of the system before all was good.  Once I checked for leaks (none) and the 5 gal of water ran through I added 2 gal of antifreeze to the bucket.  Last thing was the impeller.  I replaced the old one with a new silicone grease coated one tightened all the bolts and put the stairs back.  What a great feeling.
Now I can pack the boat which will leave grease in the hubs and air in the tires, bolt check and light check and I am ready.  I hope all of your winterization goes well too.  Sail On  AL

[crazycarl]

I always hated having to winterize motors when we lived in the midwest. Here I paid a mechanic to winterize the boat my first year with it. Afterwards he told me it wasn't needed since I keep a cabin heater going all winter. Well, January/February. I do pull the  Compac, winterize the o/b, clean the bottom, and revitalize the exterior teak. Too busy this fall updating the Orion, so the Compac may not see attention until the years end.

[alsantini]

Yes, it is a pain but I think it beats the alternative.  LOL  We frequently head for FL in late Oct, like today.  Then we fly home for the holidays.  The Admiral hates flying and since we flew to Boston and back this year, the vote was taken and I lost 2 to 1.  So, we will head South after Christmas.  Not knowing the weather for December, I figured better safe than sorry.  Did you ever sell the other big boat?  Sail On,  AL