Before you store your boat for an extended period of time during which temperatures could fall below freezing (such as during winter), you must properly winterize it. Winterizing your boat removes all water from its various systems. If this water froze, it could cause extensive damage to the boat and its systems.
Carver Yachts recommends that you hire a professional to winterize your boat and its systems. Carver Yachts also recommends that you place your boat in dry (out-of-water), as opposed to wet, storage. Some of the winterizing procedures can only be completed when the boat is out of the water. Dry storage also gives you the opportunity to thoroughly inspect your boat's hull and underwater components for any maintenance needs.
Lifting
To lift your boat from the water, hire an experienced professional who has the proper equipment and is trained in lifting yachts. The boat's hull must be properly supported during the lifting operation to avoid serious and permanent hull deformation.
CAUTION: Do not place a lifting strap around the boat's shaft or any other underwater component.
Use approved lifting straps. "SLING" tags are located on the sidedeck of the boat. These are the only places where lifting straps should be positioned for lifting.
WARNING: Never go under the boat when it is suspended in a lift.
Blocking
When your boat is placed in dry storage its hull must be properly blocked to avoid damaging it. You can either use a cradle or blocking supports.
If you are using a cradle, the forward end of the cradle should be slightly elevated to position the boat in a bow-high attitude. This allows any water in the bilges to flow to the back of the aft bilge and drain through the hull drain.
All of the blocking supports should be setup to prevent the boat from shifting while it is in storage.
Winterization - Systems
The following paragraphs explain how to winterize the systems that require it.
CAUTION: Your boat must be properly winterized before storage. Failure to winterize the boat could result in damaged pipes, valves, faucets, tanks, hot water heater, and other components.
Engines
Refer to the OEM information for details on winterizing the engines.
Generator
Refer to the OEM information for details on winterizing the generator.
Marine Satcom Unit (MSU) Storage
If your boat is equipped with a MSU, during off-season storage the unit should be deactivated. During winter storage the unit should be turned "OFF."
CAUTION: If the boat is not stored in a heated facility you will need to remove the internal battery to prevent freeze damage. Refer to the OEM information for details on removal of the unit.
Air Conditioning System
Refer to the OEM information for details on winterizing the air conditioning system. Carver recommends that you have a qualified marina winterize your air conditioning system for you.
Fresh Water System
Refer to the Fresh Water System of your Owner's Manual for a description of your boat's fresh water system.
CAUTION: When winterizing your boat's fresh water system, drain the entire system including the water heater.
Draining the System
1. On the AC Control Center, switch the Water Heater circuit breaker "OFF."
CAUTION: Do not supply power to the water heater when it is empty. Doing so may damage the unit's heating element.
2. On the Safety Breaker Panel:
a. Turn the Accessory Battery master disconnect switch to the
"ON" position.
b. Switch the Main - One circuit breaker "ON."
c. Verify that the Shower Sump circuit breaker is "ON."
3. On the DC Control Center:
a. Switch the Main circuit breaker "ON."
b. Switch the Water Pump circuit breaker "ON."
4. Open all sink and shower faucets on the boat, including the faucets for the
optional cockpit hand shower and cockpit fresh water washdown.
5. When there is no more water coming from any of the sink taps, shower heads,
or washdown, switch the Water Pump circuit breaker "OFF."
6. Drain the water heater. Refer to the OEM information for details on draining the water heater.
Winterizing the System
1. Pour 25 gallons of nontoxic recreational vehicle antifreeze into your boat's fresh water tank.
NOTE: If the fresh water system loses pressure during this procedure, you will have to add more antifreeze into the water tank.
CAUTION: You must use a nontoxic, non-alcohol, RV-type (pink) antifreeze in your boat's fresh water system. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can damage the fresh water system. The repair of such damage is not included under the terms of the Carver Limited Warranty.
2. Close all faucets.
3. On the DC Control Center, switch the Water Pump circuit breaker "ON."
4. If your boat does not have the optional grey water holding system, place a large bucket under the sump discharge fitting and galley sink drain fitting. This catches the antifreeze pumped out in the next step. Refer to Thru-Hull Fittings in your Owner's Manual for the exact location of these fittings.
5. Open the galley sink cold water faucet. When a steady stream of antifreeze flows from the tap, close the faucet. Repeat this step for the galley hot water faucet, then for each cold and hot water faucet on the boat, except for the optional cockpit hand shower and cockpit fresh water washdown.
For the cockpit hand shower, place the shower head in a bucket before turning on the shower faucet. This catches the antifreeze, which can be reused. Proceed as described earlier in this step.
For the cockpit fresh water washdown:
a. Remove the hose from the fresh water washdown fitting.
b. Place a bucket under the washdown fitting to catch the antifreeze, which can be reused.
c. Open the washdown faucet. When a steady stream of antifreeze flows from the fitting, close the faucet.
6. If your boat does not have the optional grey water holding system, pour
one quart of antifreeze into the shower and each sink drain. Otherwise, refer to the Grey Water Holding System in your Owner's Manual to winterize the shower and sink drains.
Preparing the System for Use Again
When you remove your boat from storage and prepare to use it again, flush the entire fresh water system with fresh water. Nontoxic antifreeze is colored, so the water system is adequately flushed when uncolored water flows from all of the faucets and shower heads. You may need to fill the water tank more than once to flush the system.
Raw Water Washdown
Before performing this procedure on the optional transom raw water washdown, your boat should be pulled from the water.
Refer to the Raw Water Washdowns in your Owner's Manual for a description of your boat's raw water washdown system.
1. Close the seacock that supplies the raw water washdown pump with seawater.
2. Disconnect the end of the hose that is attached to the washdown side of
the seacock.
CAUTION: You must use a nontoxic, non-alcohol, RV-type (pink) antifreeze in your boat's raw water washdown system. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can damage the raw water washdown system. The repair of such damage is not included under the terms of the Carver Limited Warranty.
3. Place the disconnected hose end into a bucket that contains about a gallon of nontoxic recreational vehicle antifreeze.
4. Remove the hose from the transom raw water washdown fitting.
5. Place a bucket under the washdown fitting to catch the antifreeze, which can be reused.
6. On the Safety Breaker Panel:
a. Turn the Accessory Battery master disconnect switch to the "ON" position.
b. Switch the Main - One circuit breaker "ON."
7. On the DC Control Center:
a. Switch the Main circuit breaker "ON."
b. Switch the Washdown Pump circuit breaker "ON."
8. When a steady stream of antifreeze flows from the washdown fitting, switch the Washdown Pump circuit breaker "OFF."
9. Reconnect the hose to the washdown fitting.
10. Reconnect the hose that was disconnected in Step 2.
Bilge
Refer to the Bilge System Section in your Owner's Manual for a description of your boat's bilge system.
1. Open the hull drain. Leave the drain open while your boat is in storage.
2. Remove all water from the bilge.
3. Clean the bilge as described in the Bilge System Section of your Owner's Manual.
Sanitation System
Before performing this procedure on the sanitation system, your boat should be pulled from the water. Refer to the OEM information for more information on winterizing the sanitation system.
Refer to the Sanitation System Section of your Owner's Manual for a description of your boat's sanitation system.
There are two types of sanitation systems: the standard system and the overboard discharge system.
Standard Sanitation System
1. Empty the waste tank as described in Emptying the Waste Tank Section in your Owner's Guide. Remove as much of the fresh water used in flushing the tank as possible.
2. If the toilet uses seawater to flush, follow steps a - d below; otherwise, proceed to step 3.
a. Close the seacock that supplies seawater to the toilet.
b. Disconnect the toilet seawater hose from the seacock.
c. Flush the toilet until all water is drained from the seawater hose.
d. Reconnect the seawater hose to the seacock. Leave the seacock closed.
CAUTION: You must use a nontoxic, non-alcohol, RV-type (pink) antifreeze in your boat's sanitation system. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can damage the sanitation system. The repair of such damage is not included under the terms of the Carver Limited Warranty.
3. Flush 4 gallons of nontoxic recreational vehicle antifreeze through the toilet and allow it to remain in the waste tank while the boat is in storage.
4. When you remove your boat from storage and prepare to use it again:
a. Pour 5 gallons of fresh water through the toilet.
b. Empty the waste tank as described in Emptying the Waste Tank Section of
your Owner's Manual.
c. If the toilet uses seawater to flush, open the seacock that supplies seawater
to the toilet. Flush the toilet a few times to prime the sanitation system.
d. Charge the waste tank by adding deodorizer. Use the brand of deodorizer
recommended by your Carver Dealer.
Overboard Discharge System
1. Empty the waste tank as described in Emptying the Waste Tank of your Owner's Manual. Remove as much of the fresh water used in flushing the tank as possible.
2. If the toilet uses seawater to flush, follow steps a - d below; otherwise, proceed to step 3.
a. Close the seacock that supplies seawater to the toilet.
b. Disconnect the toilet seawater hose from the seacock.
c. Flush the toilet until all water is drained from the seawater hose.
d. Reconnect the seawater hose to the seacock. Leave the seacock closed.
CAUTION: You must use a nontoxic, non-alcohol, RV-type (pink) antifreeze in your boat's sanitation system. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can damage the sanitation system. The repair of such damage is not included under the terms of the Carver Limited Warranty.
3. Flush 10 gallons of nontoxic recreational vehicle antifreeze through the toilet.
4. Under the boat, place a large bucket under the overboard discharge fitting to collect antifreeze pumped out later in this procedure. Refer to the Thru-Hull Fittings in your Owner's Manual for the exact location of the overboard discharge fitting.
5. Open the overboard discharge seacock.
6. If your boat has the optional grey water holding system, turn the Y-valve to select the waste tank.
7. On the Safety Breaker Panel:
a. Turn the Accessory Battery master disconnect switch to the "ON" position.
b. Switch the Main - One circuit breaker "ON."
8. On the DC Control Center:
a. Switch the Main circuit breaker "ON."
b. Switch the Waste Pump circuit breaker "ON."
9. Turn the overboard discharge pump switch "ON."
10. When a steady stream of antifreeze flows from the overboard discharge fitting, turn the overboard discharge pump switch "OFF."
11. Close the overboard discharge seacock.
12. On the DC Control Center, switch the Waste Pump circuit breaker "OFF."
13. When you remove your boat from storage and prepare to use it again:
a. Pour 5 gallons of fresh water through the toilet.
b. Empty the waste tank as described in Emptying the Waste Tank section of your Owner's Manual.
c. If the toilet uses seawater to flush, open the seacock that supplies seawater to the toilet. Flush the toilet a few times to prime the sanitation system.
d. Charge the waste tank by adding deodorizer. Use the brand of deodorizer recommended by your Carver Dealer.
Grey Water Holding System
Before performing this procedure on the optional grey water holding system, your boat should be pulled from the water. Winterize the grey water holding system only after you have winterized the fresh water system.
Refer to the Grey Water Holding System of your Owner's Manual for a description of your boat's grey water holding system.
There are two types of grey water holding systems: the standard system and the overboard discharge system.
Standard Grey Water Tank System
1. Empty the grey water tanks as described in the Grey Water
Holding System section of your Owner's Manual. Remove as much of the fresh water used in flushing the tanks as possible.
2. On the Safety Breaker Panel, verify that the Shower Sump circuit
breaker is "ON."
CAUTION: You must use a nontoxic, non-alcohol, RV-type (pink) antifreeze in your boat's grey water holding system. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can damage the grey water holding system. The repair of such damage is not included under the terms of the Carver Limited Warranty.
3. Pour 3 gallons of nontoxic recreational vehicle antifreeze through the shower and each sink drain.
4. When you remove your boat from storage and prepare to use it again:
a. Pour 5 gallons of fresh water through the shower and each sink drain.
b. Empty the grey water tanks as described in the Grey Water Holding System section of your Owner's Manual.
c. Charge the grey water tanks by adding deodorizer. Use the brand of deodorizer recommended by your Carver Dealer.
Overboard Discharge System
1. Empty the grey water tanks as described in the Grey Water Holding System section of your Owner's Manual. Remove as much of the fresh water used in flushing the tanks as possible.
2. On the Safety Breaker Panel:
a. Turn the Accessory Battery master disconnect switch to the "ON" position.
b. Switch the Main - One circuit breaker "ON."
c. Verify that the Shower Sump circuit breaker is "ON."
CAUTION: You must use a nontoxic, non-alcohol, RV-type (pink) antifreeze in your boat's grey water holding system. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can damage the grey water holding system. The repair of such damage is not included under the terms of the Carver Limited Warranty.
3. Pour 3 gallons of nontoxic recreational vehicle antifreeze through the shower and each sink drain.
4. Under the boat, place a large bucket beneath the grey water overboard discharge fitting to collect antifreeze pumped out later in this procedure.
5. Open the grey water overboard discharge seacock.
6. Turn the Y-valve to select the grey water tanks.
7. On the DC Control Center:
a. Switch the Main circuit breaker "ON."
b. Switch the Waste Pump circuit breaker "ON."
8. Turn the overboard discharge pump switch "ON."
9. When a steady stream of antifreeze flows from the overboard discharge fitting, turn the overboard discharge pump switch "OFF."
10. Close the overboard discharge seacock.
11. Switch the Waste Pump circuit breaker "OFF."
12. When you remove your boat from storage and prepare to use it again, flush and pump out the grey water tanks to remove the antifreeze.
Exterior
Wash the exterior of the boat, particularly the underwater portions. Remove as much aquatic growth as possible while it is still wet. Once the growth has dried it is more difficult to remove.
Check the zinc sacrificial anodes for deterioration. If the zincs show signs of deterioration have them replaced before spring launch. Check stainless steel rails and fittings for signs of rust. Remove rust prior to winter lay-up. Inspect the underwater portions of the hull. Review anything that looks out of the ordinary with your Carver Dealer.
Interior
Air out the cushions and make sure they are dry. Storing damp cushions leads to mildew. Position the cushions so air can circulate around them. Purchase and position moisture accumulators throughout the boat. These help reduce the amount of moisture that accumulates during storage. Remove everything from the boat that could spoil or freeze while the boat is stored. Also remove all dried food. Food attracts mice and insects.
Storage
To give your boat the maximum protection while it is in storage, Carver Yachts recommends that you place your boat in dry, as opposed to wet, storage.
Dry Storage
Protecting the boat from the elements during winter storage is advised. Have your marina shrink wrap the boat or have a winter storage cover made. Occasionally check on the boat while it is in storage to make sure that it is in good condition.
If your boat will be in outside storage, properly support a storage cover and secure it over the boat. Do not secure the cover to the boat too tightly. Allow adequate ventilation to protect against dry rot. Do not store the boat in a damp storage enclosure. Purchase and position moisture accumulators between the shrink-wrap and your boat's enclosures to help prevent moisture from accumulating. Excessive dampness can lead to mildew, electrical problems, corrosion and dry rot.
NOTE: Do not use the bridge enclosure canvas in place of a winter storage
cover. This canvas is not designed for long-term storage purposes. The life of the enclosure canvas may be significantly shortened if it is exposed to harsh weather
for prolonged periods.
