Four seasons boat

[allreadythere]

With winter coming the question is to winterize or not too winterize? I would like to use my carver 370 all year long is there anyway to safely do this during the cold whether.

[RGrew176]

Yes, there are many here in Michigan who are liveaboards. They live on their boats year round. Not having done it I have very limited knowledge as to how its done. One of the things they do use are bubblers to keep the water from freezing around their hull.

Hopefully someone here who has year round experience and has lived through the winter months could better explain all the nuances of winter boating.

[waybomb]

I think you'd be ok in Arkansas. My biggest worry up here would be the freeze-thaw cycles keep repeating. Any water in any exterior crevice or void would cause havoc.

[Jeff Thornton]

Here is a link to a couple that have survived their first year living aboard a Carver 42 in down town Chicago. They document and share some of their trials and tribulations.

http://waterwethinking.blogspot.com/

[Already There]

4 Extrem bilge heaters. 1 in forward bilge, 2 in engine compartment, 1 in aft bilge. leave your cabin heat on. My electric bill was only $60.00 a month this winter. Cover your bilge blower vents. Monitor temp with remote thermometer. As long as the your boat is in the water your bilge should not get colder than the difference between cabin temp and lake temp if it gets below 40deg the heaters kick on mine never did. I kept my cabin at 55deg. But do keep an watchful eye. Also keep sea cocks closed when not in use.