Some people think that all they need to do in order to winterize their water heater is drain the fresh water supply and open up the drain valve on the water heater. This is often not the case.
1) After opening and draining the water heater, attach a compressor to the fresh water supply side and blow air thru the heater. I am willing to bet you will then see additional gallons of water expelled thru the drain.
2) Many boats (mostly those that do not have a generator) will also have a separate pair of hoses that connect the water heater to an engine. This circulates engine (sea water) thru a heat exchanger inside the water heater. This will not drain unless you do it manually. I drain my engine block first and leave the plugs out. Next disconnect the hot water hose going to the intake manifold. Now use a compressor to blow air thru the hose and again you will see a large amount of water expelled from your engine block.
Every year when I do this procedure I am amazed how much water could have been left inside the water heater. Hopefully I have helped a fellow boater out. -Dave
1) After opening and draining the water heater, attach a compressor to the fresh water supply side and blow air thru the heater. I am willing to bet you will then see additional gallons of water expelled thru the drain.
2) Many boats (mostly those that do not have a generator) will also have a separate pair of hoses that connect the water heater to an engine. This circulates engine (sea water) thru a heat exchanger inside the water heater. This will not drain unless you do it manually. I drain my engine block first and leave the plugs out. Next disconnect the hot water hose going to the intake manifold. Now use a compressor to blow air thru the hose and again you will see a large amount of water expelled from your engine block.
Every year when I do this procedure I am amazed how much water could have been left inside the water heater. Hopefully I have helped a fellow boater out. -Dave