[Public-list] Canvas Tarps/Winterizing Tip

[richard.hazlegrove at wachovia.com]

Several years ago I purchased a heavy canvas tarp from an internet vendor 
at www.tarps.com.  They come in various colors, sizes, and grades.  I 
think I paid about $80 for one that reached from the mast to the aft stay. 
 I then cut the width on both sides to match the beam shape,  sewed a seam 
back into the cut edges and placed grommets where needed.  Set up as a 
boom tent, it can be pulled very tight at various points along the genoa 
track,  shroud bases, winches, cleats, etc.  It has held up well for the 
last few winters with the boat in the water and I am sure some brisk 
winter winds. 

Regarding a question posed about a quick winterizing method that allows 
use of the boat during the winter.  I have installed a "T" and ball valve 
in the pressurized water line going to the galley sink.  This branch 
attaches to another "T" fitting in the engine raw water intake line. 
During the season I use this valve to flush fresh water into the raw water 
cooled BMW diesel on Quest after each use.  By simply turning off the raw 
water intake value, and opening the fresh water ball valve I pump fresh 
water through the engine.  To avoid pressurizing the engine water pump,  I 
also keep the sink valve upon to bleed off any excess water pressure. 
During the winter I put a few extra gallons of the pink stuff in the water 
tank after I have winterized the fresh water system.  If I subsequently 
take the boat out,  it's simply a matter of flushing the engine as I do 
during the season,  only now with additional antifreeze.  This system can 
also be used force back pressure out the raw water intake if it gets 
lightly clogged. 


 1132329327.0