Need to Winterize

[JLR]

Just question out of left field. The boat is in New York for the winter. Although I have always winterized all systems, I am curious whether I might be able to extend the season (so to speak) and not winterize parts of the boat. What would be involved if I wanted to leave one salt water head as is and did not winterize it? While I would also like to keep the reverse cycle A/C in operating condition to use for heat, my guess is that with the water temperatures falling as low as the 30's, the system would probably not pump out enough heat to be any better than an electric space heater. So, just for an occasional weekend stay, how would I keep that salt water head from sustaining damage? It would be the only part of the boat that I would not winterize.

 

[captainwjm]

As long as the water temp is 45 or above, your reverse cycle AC will provide heat, but that's not economical if all you want it to keep a single head from freezing. Here, where water temps will drop into the mid-30's or below by January, I don't winterize at all [except opening all faucets before I leave]. I put a hot-oil electric radiator style heater [$30 or so at a big box store] in each head, and in the ER. The ER one is set on low heat, while the ones in the heads are set on the "don't freeze" cycle. I check on the boat every weekend, and there are folks around at other times to alert me if there is a power outage. I keep a light on in a window, and the neighbors/marina personnel know to call if it isn't on. The only freezing I've had in over 15 years of doing it this way is once in a loop on the water line to the refridgerator's icemaker during a week long cold spell with below zero temps.

 

[MikeP]

I lived/winterized in NY/LI Sound for 10 years. I would not leave ANY system on the boat un-winterized. The salt water head system can freeze up in Jan/Feb. The standard reverse cycle heating system will not provide any heat because the water temps will be too low - as in below freezing.

If you really wanted to be on the boat occasionally/use the head, I would put at least a gallon of pink into the head via the seastrainer every time you leave - essentially winterizing the head every visit.

An electric heater of the normal size won't really keep you comfortable though it would be fine if you are just on the boat during the day to do some work. But overnight you will need a serious elec heater for it to be manageable.

 

[34Hatt]

I lived/winterized in NY/LI Sound for 10 years. I would not leave ANY system on the boat un-winterized. The salt water head system can freeze up in Jan/Feb. The standard reverse cycle heating system will not provide any heat because the water temps will be too low - as in below freezing.

If you really wanted to be on the boat occasionally/use the head, I would put at least a gallon of pink into the head via the seastrainer every time you leave - essentially winterizing the head every visit.

An electric heater of the normal size won't really keep you comfortable though it would be fine if you are just on the boat during the day to do some work. But overnight you will need a serious elec heater for it to be manageable.

As Mike said you should do it each time so why not just make it easy!
Add a tee with a valve on the thru hull then you close the through hull open the other valve keep a bucket there with a case of pink. Flush toilet till you see pink done should be able to do it in a few minutes.
I do this setup with a tee and a plug and screw a pipe to hose adapter with clear hose on all my tru hulls winterize the hole boat in about a hr.