Winterizing Ballast System Without Removing The Bags

I was wondering if any one knows how to winterize a ballast system (pumps & bags) without removing the bags?

My '17 Mondo was easy as I removed the bags and then cycled plumbing antifreeze through the lines until it ran out from the bottom of the boat.

Now, with my '20 Kaiyen there are now multiple sub-floor bags which are not a concern in the stern and mid-ship, but I am worried that I won't be able to reach the lines for the sub-floor bag in the bow through the small hole at the very front of the bow.

My dealer says that they leave all bags in customers boats when winterizing as the want their boats to be key ready when they pick them up in the spring. Although I would prefer to have the bags removed, knowing this, I don't have a problem myself having the bags left in over the winter.

Questions:

1. How would I be able to easily get antifreeze through the systems using the intake on the bottom of the boat?
2. Is it possible to pour antifreeze through the vent lines that exit the hull, then run the pumps until antifreeze exits out the bottom?

Your expertise would be greatly appreciated.

The ballast pumps should be self draining as they are typically mounted high and pointing down to gravity drain.

You should only need to run pumps and watch until the hoses run empty and hear the pumps unload. Might need to tilt boat fire or aft to get the most water out.

Other than that, some residual water in the bags is ok.


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Larry, thanks for the advice on this. This partially answers my questions I posted in another thread. Is there any documentation that you know of that confirms this method?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sloane

Larry, thanks for the advice on this. This partially answers my questions I posted in another thread. Is there any documentation that you know of that confirms this method?

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I doubt anything is documented, but once you understand the bags are flexible, the pumps don’t hold water and the hose/fittings would need to be 90% full for freezing to burst a hose/fitting.


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You could try putting a fake lake over the intake, then using a sump pump in plumbing antifreeze suck some up into the bags, then empty

I just did this. I poured 2 gallons of pink antifreeze per bag and ran pumps till they offloaded and pink came of ports on bottom of boat. I manipulated the bags to get most of the fluid out. I did the same for the bow bag, but used 4 gallons to make sure the center tank had enough pink antifreeze in it.

I went ahead and pulled my bags so I could clean them and deep clean the boat. Previous owners let some mildew grow and now was the time to clean it all up.

Wasnt very hard, just time consuming. Winterizing the engine was a lot quicker.