Where can I get instructions? Price?

T

Thompson gunr

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exMember
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I am looking for the instructions on how to winterize a 1988 Thompson Carerra 245 with the OMC 5.0L. The previous owner RUINED the old engine because he didn't know how to do it correctly. I just bought the boat and don't want to go through this problem when it is my turn. What do you have to do to winterize the fresh water holding tank and sink? This is my first larger boat so I am not sure how this is done. My previous boat with a 140 OMC stringer was VERY easy to winterize. It appears that this is much more complicated than that one. If this is not a do it yourself thing or you don't suggest me doing it myself, how much is a reasonable price for having this done. If it matters, I live in the Cincinnati Ohio area. Thanks!
 
First time I hired a pro and watched very very closely. Best investement I made in the boat! Now it's easy to do myself.
 
First you have to tell us all the systems you have that need to be winterized. ie: engine, air/heat, fresh water system, black water system, grey water system. You get the idea.
 
Sorry. I need the fresh water tank for the sink, the black water for the sink, and the engine cooling system. It does not have the closed system and uses the river water for cooling. Thanks.
 
Do you have a head with a holding tank? Most galley sinks drain directly overboard and not into a holding tank.
 
This might be very helpful for you. http://www.boatfix.com/how/winterize.pdf BoatFix is a great place to get your supplies, too.

For your fresh water tank, drain it dry by running the taps until it is empty. Pour in a couple gallons of non-toxic antifreeze (like pink RV stuff), then run the taps until you see pink coming out of them. Make sure you open every tap (galley, head, transom washdown if you have it, etc).

If you have a head with holding tank, just pump out the tank, then pour a couple gallons of pink into the toilet and pump it through the system.
 
I by-pass the water heater so I don't fill it with anti-freeze. Once it's by-passed, I drain the water out. After you pump anti-freeze through the toilet and get some into the holding tank, it's a good idea to run the macerator to pump anti-freeze through it and the discharge lines. I leave all my seacocks open when I'm on the hard so they wil drain and not freeze. As far as winterizing the engine, read the manula and follow all the steps. Some people just drain everything in the engine but I like to add anti-freeze for corrosion protection and added safety.
 
Oops, right -- better bypass the water heater or a couple gallons of pink won't be enough!
 
Thanks all. I appreciate it! I just don't want to go through the engine replacement routine again next year! I will do it right unlike the previous owner!
 
As far as the engine was cvoncerned I was thinking I would run it on the "muffs" to get it up to operating temp to get the thermostat open then make a garden hose with a funnel I can pour antifreeze into it with. This way the muffs would be feeding antifreeze to the cooling system. I was thinking if I kept pouring in the antifreeze until I saw it coming out the drive I would be good. Then drain the system. That way any remaining water would have the additional protection of antifreeze. Does this sound like a logical solution or what? Pros/Cons? Thanks!
 
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