Carver Owners Forum

Yes Viper, I found what your talking about, and West Marine does have it, about twice the price of regular RV/Marine antifreeze, but from what I read well worth it. Thanks for the new insight! Mike

If you boat on a budget, and most of us do, skimp on something else, not critical/expensive systems. Instead, look at the $500 paddle board and not the $1000 one. As long as you budget to keep systems properly maintained, fuel in your tanks, a full bar and great steaks, the rest is secondary and is where you can skimp on without spending a fortune on parts and labour as a result of cheaping out.

I think I got it all. Started out by draining the 70 gallon water tank under the rear berth. Then Used an RV adapter and placed it in the fresh water in fitting on the rear bulkhead and ran air through it until nothing came out the faucets. Flushed to get the water out of the lines also. Coupled the hot and cold line together at the water heater, and drained it. Used air at the cold port until air came out the drain shut off. Then added 1/2 gallon via drill pump into the cold section. Used some air until pink came out both open ports.

Now to the A/C units. opened the strainer and flushed with freshwater for 10 minutes. Then added 5 gallons of pink stuff until it came out the thru hulls. The starboard (rear) A/C needed some "help" Used some air (and it was regulated down to approx. 20 PSI) and had to blow line out and a BIG glob of crap came out. Now pink came out easily there. Took air to the fittings at the ice maker and got air out, then used the pump and charged It with pink.

Tried to add a winterizing valve to the domestic water pump but didn't have the proper fittings. So I added 6 gallons of pink stuff to the domestic storage tank and turned on the water pump. Ran each faucet AGAIN and pink continued to come out as it did the first time via the city pressure fitting.

Lastly, added a couple of gallons of pink to each toilet, Then flushed a few times to see the pink coming from the water lines. Hit the macerator button for approx. 5 seconds and saw a trace of pink come out, so it appears to be charged.

I am leaving the generator and the engines to someone else, someone who is a lot slimmer than I who can get to the engine room strainers. Sound like I got it all?

Sounds like you did good. Next year it will be easier and I am sure you have already figured out some way to make things even simpler. I see an addition of winterizing fittings, valves and hoses in the near future.

What kind of toilet do you have? Does it draw water from below the hull or your fresh water system?

I have Vacu Flush units. They draw water from the fresh water system. Best I ever had, NO odors and fast to draw in the pink stuff!

I suspected as much but I guess I was just a little confused about you adding "a couple of gallons to each toilet" when all that was needed was to push the pedal. Don't know if you did that or simply poured 2 gallons in the bowl from a jug. In case you didn't push the pedal to fill the bowl with antifreeze, that's the best way to do it to ensure antifreeze actually goes through the valve as well so it's protected.

Yes, mike, and viper, i just picked up a case of West marine brand antifreeze rated for plumbing and engine. "The pink stuff" I've used it for years with no prob. And Viper, it's funny that you mentioned that bottle test.... i thought i was the only one that did that kind of stuff. Your exactly right. The plumbing version crystallized first. Long b4 the dual purpose one i get west marine.

Something I almost always forget until I think I am done. The transom shower. I never really use it and almost always overlook until I think I am done and cleaning up.

Make up a cheat sheet for your specific boat and check them off as you go when it's winterizing time. Something always interrupts the process!