Heated Storage & Fresh Water Holding Tank

[Cork the Whine]

Hi all,

What is recommended for your fresh water holding tank when your boat is in heated storage? Our haul out is next week and I've heard people say empty the tank and other say fill it and treat it with a small amount of bleach. Like half a capful per 10 gallons? Just looking for recommendations.

Thanks!

John

[Tireless]

I store outside in Canadian winters, however, even if I was storing inside heated storage in cold temps, I would drain the water tanks. To take it further, a number of my friends that store inside heated storage drain engines at a minimum and some do a full winterization. They have concerns about a loss of heat in the building the are being stored in.

I would drain the water tanks, wouldn't want the water sitting there for 6 months. Just my view.

Greg

[Midnightsun]

Agreed, drain the tank as it will go rancid after such a long period of time and maybe blow out the lines. Will they cover any damage if things freeze? Here we had a major ice storm many years ago and some places were down a month or more. Could happen again or some other major disaster which could affect electrical supply or fuel supply or whatever they use to heat the place. If not, it would be wise to winterize. Heck this pandemic is a good example of things we never saw before and thought would never happen.

[bud37]

Also agree with the draining and blow out. The only thing I have done in the past would be to treat/sanitize the tank a few days before and run the treated water thru the entire system before draining. Don't forget your water heater. Good luck with your winter.

[Viper]

Ya even if you're going to be in heated storage, one should completely winterize all systems as if you were being stored outside. There have been failures of so called failsafe and alarm supported systems that resulted in major repairs ($$) and right-offs. Can't convince some people otherwise though, they still continue to do nothing to protect against the possibility of freezing.