Winterizing in the pacific northwest

[evm1024]

It has gotten to 5 degrees in Portland every now and then. Big polar air mass descends down the east side of the cascades and the wind blows 60 out of the gorge. Your marina can lose power in those times. And if you cannot get to your boat any waterlines exposed to the inside air can freeze (think heat exchanger and fresh water lines.

I leave fresh water in my boat and do not winterize the engine coolant lines. i do however take a day or few off and head down to the boat when we have these cold snaps. At that time I flush the coolant lines with antifreeze and drain the fresh water tank and lines.

Most years I do not have to do this.

If there is a wind storm I might head down to the boat and sleep aboard to do the same if power goes out. (assuming that we are expecting below freezing temps)

Spent about 20 winters in the Portland area.

It has been a few years but my uncle drove a team of mules across the Columbia at Hood River when was a kid....

[davefromoregon]

I finally bought a low power heater/dehumidifier.

If it chews up too much power, I'll add the thermostat mentioned above.