Batten down the hatches and put the antifreeze in.

[newt]

We are in the midst of a winter snowstorm,(Utah) but it is nothing like what is forecast for the east coast.  Get your generators ready for your homes and prep your boat for a storm! Good luck to all!

[Bob23]

Thanks, Newt.
   Koinonia got her winter anti-freeze concoction on the weekend. I don't use the sink or bladder but I do run anti through both bilge pumps.
   I was one of those Y2K guys so my house is wired for the generator we have. Just a Honda 3500 watt but we can pump water, have some kitchen lights and refridge on and maybe the stereo. My phone will work- still got an old rotary- black. Oh, yeah..works like a charm. It's funny to see kids come in, take a look at it and not know how to use it. Heat is via the Petitt Godin wood/coal stove we've had for almost 30 years. Keeps us toasty warm.
   Me, I'm leaving for Mexico (Cabo San Lucas) on Saturday morning. Forecast is high in the 80's and sunny. I'm only going for a week and hope to do some sailing there. Can't wait!
Senor Bob23

[kahpho]

Hey Bob23,

I think I have the same phone you do. I've used it for years. All other phones in the house have the ringers turned off 'cause the old "Ma Bell" phone can be heard anywhere. I've also enjoyed the humor of seeing the somewhat panicy look and slowly replaced handset when one of the youngins tries to use it, lol. Worth keeping just for that!

Oh ya, we've been dipping into the single digits lately. No water on the boat to freeze though. So no worries there.

mel

[Bob23]

   Those phones are the best! We have 3 of them but only use the black one. Somewhere along the line, I aquired a tan one and a classic pink one. My wife forbids me to use the pink one...can't understand why?
   Although I like the modern conveniences that modern technology brings, there is definitely a retro-grouch side of me that clings to the more simpler ways of yesteryear. I love my 1984 Honda Accord, my steel framed road bike, and my Converse sneakers. Maybe they remind me of living in a simpler time. Maybe I'm just a retro-grouch.
   Maybe that's why we sail. Even though the boats have changed over the years, it's still the same old wind blowing in the sails that makes us go.
Bob23- coffee time!

[newt]

I can't believe it bob, I will be down in Cabo the next week after you! We should have planned it better. I would have brought my 23 and we could have  had a ripping time. As it was, I just went down with the family on a cruise. Sold out to a 300 footer I am glad your getting out of this cold though, its pretty nasty. Starting to have songbirds die out there...

[Bob23]

Dang, Newt!!
   We could've shared a beer or two and a hulluva lot of stories. I'll let you know how I like it. It was a hard choice- NJ and freezing weather or Cabo and sunny weather in the 80's. Please, brothers, help me make the right choice.
   I hope we get a chance to meet sometime. I've only met a few of the site-folks here and it has been fun. For some reason, though, they seem to change thier phone number after our first meeting....can't figure that one out!
Bob23....brrrrrrrr

[brackish]

Please, brothers, help me make the right choice.

Hey, Bob if you need help with that one, you may be ready to be institutionalized. 

So you cold weather folks, this is my first ownership in an area that winterizing is actually necessary.  Boat will stay in the water, lake doesn't freeze.  I've drained the water tank.  Disconnected the lines and blown out the drain, sink pump and supply lines.  Motor is lifted out of the water and I've turned it over without starting a few times to make sure the water is pumped out of the impeller area.  Plan to go up and run it every few weeks.  Bilge is bone dry, in fact has never had a drop of water to my knowledge, pump is dry.  Porta potty removed and drained.  All stored liquids subject to freezing removed.

Have I missed anything?

Frank 2

[kickingbug1]

   my little boat sits in the garage come what may. ah the beauty of a cp 16

[nies]

Frank, the only other thing I can think of is ANY batteries, both dry and wet. Had dry cell batteries in my radio freeze and ruin radio....don't think that is suppose to happen but it did.......Phil

[Craig Weis]

To freeze a battery, dry wet or other the chemical reaction within the battery used to create electrons must be 'disabled' usually by allowing that battery to go 'flat'.

skip. So it be, ohhhh about  -2 deg F below zero with wind making it feel like -13 below. Absolute clear sunny sky. Ice Sailing anybody.

[nies]

Skip, By going "flat" mean very low charge or dead?.......10 below this a.m. ,but clear and 10mph winds ......Phil