Anybody have advise on Wintering aboard?

T

TJM

Member
Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
2909
Messages
498
95% sure I will be a winter liveaboard, probably in Essex on the Ct river. Essex Island Marina or Brewers Dauntless. Looking for advise or lessons learned.
Decisions still up in the air:
1. Clear shrink wrap myself or pay $900?
2. What type of heaters? I think the oil filled radiators to keep the boat around 60В° F while I am away at work but then do I use Propane for the morning boost ? If so, what type have people used that work well. I was thinking one of those Vent-free fireplaces from the HD stores. They look great, my old porch had one that cranked.
3. Definately will add CO and Fuel sniffers and alarms.
 
First thing is to check your insurance policy and the marina policy as to what type of heaters THEY will allow.
 
Here is my advise.... Don't do it. Some may say I don't have the right to do that, or it wasn't nice but that is JUST my opinion WHICH WAS ASKED FOR IN A PUBLIC FORUM. I have lived in CT and I have lived in Georgia. I wouldn't even want to live aboard in Atlanta Georgia over the winter so I know I would not want to live aboard in CT. I think the Main issue may be the Marina's shutting down your H20 supply due to freeze conditions or the power being out. Your mileage may vary depending on how many liveaboards are present. I am sure you have a good reason for doing what you are doing. Best of luck.
 
You may want to post this in Ask the Captn. There are Many RO's that live on their boat, 'the other gary' is one and he's in Canada
 
Also check your insurance policy and make sure you have no restrictions on in water time, no haul out required.
 
Advice about the legal/insurance part is quite valid. Hope you are a hardy dude for this. Kind of depends on the sort of winter we have. We've seen the river frozen solid - and have pictures of cars driving across to Nott Island across from Essex. Many years the Coasty Cutter breaks up the ice during the winter. Sometimes the river never freezes at all during the winter - one never knows.

If you choose to do this, would check with both places (EIM and Dauntless) to see what/if they have a resident care taker over the winter to help you with water supply, bubblers, fuel, ice removal, what if, etc.

Have many friends at Dauntless - let me know if I can help. Best of luck in your decision.
 
I would try for a slip on the south side of a big building! Its not uncommon for it to be 45 degreess and kinda comfy when I`m still at work only to hear from my wife at home next to the river how windy and cold it is. The winds from the north really rip thru the valley.
 
In an express?

Anyway, when we stretched the season out up in Kingston NY we used three oil filled radiators. We have a diesel boat so I was not concerned with explosion proof radiators. One in the bilge under the salon, one in the aft cabin and one up front. The engine room vents were plugged up with insulation. If you have gasoline power, and you wrap the boat up I'd look for explosion proof radiators of some sort. I'd stay away from any combustion heaters if you wrap the boat up.
Water and electric will be a concern because they can and will fail in foul weather.
You will also have to shovel the dock and chip ice away from the boat occassionally. I know people that have wintered over up here. They had pick axes and shovels around to maintain the dock and distance from the ice to the boat.
If the marina does not bubble the docks forget it. Don't do it.

If you have a harsh Winter this could be one of the worst experiences of your life. Especially if there is no one else Wintering over on the dock with you.
 
All good info. I didn't think about the South side of things. I will ask to be secured on the starboard side of a high bulkhead with the bow facing West. The entire port side will then see the sun all day. Engines will be winterized so no real need to keep the ER from freezing. I will be using immersion heaters in the water tanks to prevent freezing ( set to 45° F) and the only water supply will be to the Head-shower and sink. All othe rlines will be shut off and blown out.

Any suggestions on how to handle the shower sump? Currently it drains into a small 2 gallon open topped reservoir in the bilge then it gets pumped overboard. I am a little concerned about the open top spilling water into the bilge and freezing. I have a few ideas but what do you guys think?

My genny will be all set to go if the dock power gets interupted and I could do without water for weeks. Gyms and work showers are very accomodating
 
You are going to have no water at the dock at all?

No cooking meals on the boat, no cleanup?

If you stay at EIM how are you going to manage getting back to mainland?

Sounds like I'd be looking for a nice warm apartment for 4-5 months.
 
By having a heater in the bilge we had most water lines warmed. If you are in an express the task of preventing a freeze in plumbing will be a bit more challenging.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top