Knowing when to say No (Island Packet Sailing IP420) 

Hi Tim: Most water heaters do have a drain on the bottom. It does drain into the bilge. This can then be pumped out. The answer is to by pass the water heater with a couple of Y joints with ½ turn offs. I was able to do this using garden plastic “Y” s with turn offs. This worked fine for me. Then blow out the rest of the system. The water heater is eliminated.

Home truths are always difficult to share and I am sure your patrons are very appreciative to hear you get these worries off your chest Tim. If it were me I think your grandmother's house would be 2nd on my list to Crisalida and her family. That house is part of your family history. If it means giving Paquita a rest then so be it. Your time in Spain is in the sailboat and will always be there, even if she is given a rest for a while. We support you all the way.

I drain the hot water tank into the bilge then blow back thru the feed hoses with a foot pump. Then I use the a wet/dry vacuum cleaner thru the hand holes to remove the remaining water and wipe down what I can reach thru the hand holes. What is left will not damage the tanks if frozen. I use the water pump to blow out the supply lines then disconnect the hoses from the hot water tank and use a tire pressure pump to blow out all the lines.

Hi Tim, we have a Catalina 425 out of Marblehead. We haul every other year and have been wintering in the water in Charlestown (Ma) on the off years. Winterizing is a day’s work for us. The key is our 2 water tanks can drain dry to the bilge. If you can ensure the tank is close to empty, we bypass the hot water tank, blow out the lines with a compressor (keep driving pressure below 50!). I installed a “T” before the house pump and pump pink in the lines (hot and cold), with special attention to the heads, shower drains, sinks and gray water system. I dump some pink in the fresh tanks just to see it run to the bilge and disconnect the PEX so they can gravity feed. Pinking the engine, generator and AC are straight forward (keep running until solid pink comes out!) but winterizing the water systems does take around 12 gallons. If we are in the hard, we vacuum out the bilge / bilge line and keep it dry. The boat sweats in the spring and fall so it is a struggle to keep her dry. If I’m the water, we run freeze protection (ac heaters) in the engine room and forward head set to at least 35 degrees. In the spring we flush the tanks 2 times after shocking with a cup of bleach. The water aboard is clean and after filtering, potable. DM me if you want my winter work list to copy.

This is why I love professionals and hold my colleagues in esteem. Life isnt just the job. All these events make the man and the stern calm you see in distressful and tight situations are bred from the balance we make in our priorities.

Tim, Thanks for being honest and open. As a previous power boat owner I know there was always something needing attention. Here up north when the 'Ramblin Rose' was high and dry in the winter, I would still open the cover and climb aboard to do something. Sometimes with an electric heater I would just be 'on board.' They own you, you don't own them. When I sold her I had tears when I delivered her to the new owner but never looked back and regretted the sale, Enjoy life and thank God for the years that you have.

Life is a trap! Love your Jib! It don't matter where you are in life, the world closes in on us! Do what you want, make good changes! Its up to you, boats, cars, Just enjoy your life! We as humans are looking for happiness, I sit here in a couch at 59 years old! Taking in all this joy of the sea? I live a great life in Alaska! Far from your life

Every complex system like a boat, an RV, or a house, requires a LOT of time, money and energy. We found that we can only handle one at a time, and that was after retiring when we had plenty of time. I feel for you, Tim. There are no easy answers!

Hey Tim, great video. I feel the same about using my boat as much as possible; it does become a bit of an obsession. I’ve had my Sabre 38 for six years. I winterize the water systems each fall by blowing them out. This includes the hot water heater which I allow to empty into the bilge, salt water wash down system, two sink faucets, and shower. It’s a two person job but not difficult. Regarding your water tank perhaps you could drop a portable submersible pump into the tank and pump most of the water out. I got as far as Swans Island this summer. I’m fortunate to have access to a mooring in Stonington on Deer Isle. I’m back in Keyport, NJ now and always enjoy both of your channels. CUOTO, George

Thanks for being so open! Sail on...!

Balance brother. Balance is simply finding peace in your decisions. It will get better when you’re retired because then there’s no rush to do anything. Don’t feel bad about stepping away to do other things. You have to do other things. You’ve taken the huge step of living aboard…people with houses go away and do other things all the time, and they also spend $$$ on their houses. So if your goal is to travel the world then just keep moving toward it with balance. Thanks for sharing your honesty and thanks for the shout out!

Emotional attachments, isn't that life? I only have a 6 seater boat on our private fresh water lake (20 acres) has 4 x12 v deep cycle batteries and a Minn-Kota 48v electric motor but it's my love. Before I retired I new many boat owners and some said the acronym BOAT means Bet On Another Thousand. Thanks for your videos, I love them.And I love SV Paquita, a beauty.

Very well said Tim.

What a great share! Thank you Cap for putting out there what a lot of boat owners feel but don't talk about much. This is exactly why I am a supporter of this channel. I am with you 100% and CUOTO! ~__/)__*

I know this video was a year ago… but just my thoughts. Think about the boat being on a mooring while You go to visit Your dad just as You would parking your car… or even Your house… You would leave that all the time… Peoples fear of leaving the boat is about loosing their investment… The house more than likely will be there when Your return, and hopefully so would the car, they feel like as an investment they are relatively stable… with a boat one has to do so much and if not always on it… it could fall into disrepair due to lack of maintenance… It could be stolen… or broken into and stripped of it’s equipment or the worst case scenario is, it could sink. Thanks Tim… we all learn so much with Your channel!

Tim, This how I winterized my IP-31 freshwater system. Now it is not a 42-footer but you may get an idea out of this. First I remove the feed line to the water pump at the tank and let the whole tank drain into the bilge. Only 70 gallons as opposed to your 250. Automatic bilge pump pumps it all over the side. Bilge gets a freshwater rinse. As one other commented, bypass the hot water heater by removing both the inlet and outlet hoses. The inlet will drain to the bilge. The outlet will allow air into the tank. With an additional hose connect cold to heater on the cold water manifold to hot water to the hot water manifold. Next hook up the water pump hose at the water tank. In my case I put one gallon of the pink stuff in the water tank. Turn on water pump. One at a time, open cold water to head sink, when pink comes out stop, next galley sink, next cockpit shower. Then repeat with hot water. Done with drinking water system. Next spring add only a gallon or two to water tank. open each tap one at a time until clear water flows or light pink. When pump loses its prime add more fresh water to tank and repeat until water is all clear at all taps, then fill tank. Good to go.

Lol, I think that RU-vid sent me to s/v Paquita because I've been watching all of the Tim B at Sea videos. Lo and behold you're a member of the Island Packet family too. (OK, some say cult.) I've enjoyed seeing both sides of your experiences and now have a whole new playlist to devour. Best regards, Capt Blackheart Charlie s/v Aurora, IP38-82 Key West / New England

Capt'n Tim, Howdy; Boaters and RVers have a lot in common. If there isn't a by-pass on the hot water heater get one installed. Drain and that's all that's required. As for the rest of the water systems you can blow them out then leave the taps open so no pressure can build up in the lines or the tanks. Then when you are ready to re fill the tanks use a small amount of bleach, fil'em up run some from all the taps then leave it set for 24 hours (approx.), then drain and refill. easy-peasy.

I disconnect the hoses from the tanks and let them drain into the bilge. In my setup they’re located at the bottom corner of each tank. I leave the tank outlet open and I doubt there’s more than a 1/2” of standing water left and “do not”put the pink stuff in the tanks. I take the main water line that feeds the pump off and add a long piece of hose. Then connect it to a bucket of the pink stuff. I bought a Rubbermaid small trash can and added an outlet at the base but a five gallon bucket will work just as well by simply placing a primed hose in it. Turn on the pump and work my way around the boat running the water until it looks like what’s in the bucket. It’s going to take six or seven gallons. If you drain the hot water tank you’ll greatly reduce the amount of antifreeze required. It doesn’t take long to flush it all out when you launch provided you don’t put any in the tanks. The lines in my case on a similar sized boat only take thirty minutes or so to clear the pink stuff. The AC unit is the same approach but in the spring you might need to use a hose to clear the pink stuff as the pump can’t generate enough pressure on its own. Engine is the same process but requires zero effort in the spring. Personally I hate what winter does to the boat and for some reason my boat always looks better when it’s used heavily vs stored. If you’re on it everyday (I am mostly) little things get addressed vs storage. Go south and skip the pink stuff 😂…

interesting talk Thank you tim

A lot of us are in the same boat. No pun intended. I did similar things. Sold my house, bought my IP. However, just as in a comment I saw earlier, houses have maintenance and repairs. One year I had to replace the AC, then a couple of years later the HVAC and one year I had a foundation leak. Plus regular stuff like yard work, trimming trees, repairing the fence or stuff after a storm. I had 1/2 an acre with 36 trees, bushes, rose bushes, etc. lol Sorry I don't have any suggestions regarding the "pink" stuff, but I saw some in the comments I like myself. I haven't had to put mine on the hard for any length of time and in Texas I don't worry about freezing, but one day I may when I go up north. Anyhow, like others said, balance is key.I have no doubt you'll figure it out. Great video!

Prayers going out to your friend. I'd stay away from the pink stuff, now i'm no expert or anything like that. Paquita is looking nice and I agree with you on how you feel about Paquita. By the way...is it possible to sail Paquita all the way to Costa del Sol, Spain?

Tim - interesting share today. I also have a 420 and have learned that there are times when you just need to take a break. I have been hanging out at home in Chicago for the past 4 months and just being a normal person. Having said that, I am looking forward to getting back to the boat in October. You are correct, life on the boat is quite different and demands all that you have to give but in the end, is well worth it. As far as your "pink stuff" question, my answer is to not need to do that ever again. But back in the days in the Chesapeake, here is the secret. Never put pink in the tank. Get a 5 gallon bucket and connect a hose to the fresh water pump inlet. Also, install a bypass at the hot water tank, never put pink in the hot water tank. With this setup, just run a few gallons of pink through the hoses and fittings. I use the same setup to run some Clorox though the hoses to get rid of that stinky smell once or two times a season. Look forward to seeing you out there - maybe Bahamas 2024. IP420 svLucille

Hey Tim, great to see you. Just a random thought, couldnt you winterise in FL where there is no winter? I know it would mean more travel to see Chris' but if you were having time off the boat would it make much difference? I figure travel to and from work is covered by the company so that would make no odds.

Tim you can use cheap vodka to Winterize your freshwater systems

Tim do not 2nd guess things. You want to have the boat and a goal of sailing around the world, but that doesn't mean that you need to let the rest of life pass you by. Take things as they come and stress less that way you will be able to achieve your goals without any remorse. In the end we only answer to ourselves and the best advise I would sent to you is not to beat yourself up over material things in the end everything works out and you will do what you were meant to do. No regrets, you have a solid boat maintenance will work out. Take the time to enjoy what life gives you and your loved ones.

The wash down pump is disconnected and drained. I pour af into the sea strainer while the engine is running, The ac circ pump uses a wiring harness from the 120V outlet to the pump connector so I do not have to run the ac compressor. Have funnel to feed the af into the sea strainer of corse with he thru valve shut.

Have you tried baking soda solution to get rid up pink taste and also a bypass for your water heater to cut down on amount of pink stuff required?

Tim thank you for sharing all that. Maybe you need a marina that does not freeze to keep Paquita or moored somewhere it does not freeze. And a trusted someone that knows and understands all the systems to keep a regular check on it. I don't think i am knowledgeable or trainable for that. Sadly they don't make boats like toyotas. I seldom have a problem with any of the four of them. For me i might take loose the hoses and drain the systems and pump all the water overboard. I hate cold so i will never be in this situation if i can help it. My sailboats never had all these systems so not all the problems that go with it.

Regarding bottoms and growth. Northern east coast US i know hard growth is a persistent problem. In warmer waters of Med and Pacific it seems to be soft hairy growth. Would a weekly or every two week wipe on the hulls be beneficial. (Ya know, like, mowing the lawn

👍✅🏝 Living the Dream LOL #boatmaintaincefun$$$$ #timBlifelessons Tks Tim, good food for thought for all of us.

Fwiw after draining all the water out of your systems use an air compressor to force air through everything. Water freezing won't break anything it has has nothing to expand against. If you you have p traps etc that are hard to clear/ need to remain full those are the ones that need pink anti freeze. Whoever told you to pump the system through with pink has no sense or too much spare cash(or both ). If freeze guarding your system will be an anual event, adding appropriate drains , sloping lines to drain points etc is how we make winterizing easier up here where it gets really cold.

Put a longer pickup in the water tank and use vacuum and installe a bypass, same on hot water. Air and and vacuum will do the rest

I think that you are making such a big job of thing, I used to deliver yachts WW, nothing smaller than Imoca 60, some times we would have to lift these yachts out of the water to survey or just check over, never ever used anti-freese on the tanks, thats sounds stupid, yes we would replace hoses quite often and sea cocks, etc, asfor the cleaning of the boats I used to get a diving suit on and quite often be scraping the bottom in the water before entering a marina for a client, its a horrible job and a knackering one too, but it would mean a lot less work when they were lifted out. I wish I was still sailing now, but now dying from Terminal Cancer, don't ever stop sailing, you will regret it.

We store our boat in warm storage so we don’t have to winterize it. Consequently, I can’t speak from experience except for winterizing buildings. I’d use antifreeze only where you need to and evacuate or blow out the plumbing where you can. The water heater drain valve is virtually inaccessible on our IP but it may accessible on your model? I once talked to a guy who kept his boat in MA during the winter and he added vodka to his water tanks. 😂 I can’t help but can certainly empathize with your other quandary. We already divide our time between two seasonal homes and the boat essentially raises the count to three. At best, we can only muster a couple of months to spend aboard the boat each year. We’re fortunate but by no means wealthy, it makes absolutely no sense and makes us feel a bit irresponsible. At some point we’ll have to simplify, but not yet…

Break out another thousand.. great clip. I hear exactly what your saying.. the problem with burning the candle at both ends is that you run out of candle faster.. Boats are going to cost time and money whether you use them or not. so we all get into the have to use them thing. hang in there retirement will soon be your saving grace and you will have all your ducks lined up ready to go. CUOTO...hope my little bit helps out.

Use pure ethyl alcohol in your water tank for antifreeze. That way you don't risk poisoning, there is no bad taste, and you can make margaritas from the tap.

Wow Tim! Now I know why I didn't hear back from you! Of course comes to mind the old sayings like "The 2 happiest days..." or "A boat is a hole in the water that...". I've never had a boat worth more than $500, but I've had to make the hard choices on things like aircraft, real estate and such. As to advice; "Family comes first" includes relationships too. (I can see you know this) Maybe consider leasing Paquita until you're truly $$$ free? (Was Paquita too much too soon?) Any chance of renting Abuela's place for some spare coin? (I know how hard it is to liquidate inherited properties) Perhaps RAN Sailing might offer some inspiration and solace. I'll hit you with another Super Thanks but maybe spend it on anti-fouling instead of grog!?!? Cheers and CUOTO!

I recognize New London, CT from anywhere!

Don't stop with letting us see you. I like seeing you. You're a great guy and a real human being. You, of course, are the reason you keep your fans and devotees. I've been wondering, actually, when you might hit the wall financially. I'm sure you do pretty well but I don't think you're a millionaire...and those boats are really made for millionaires and their spoiled, entitled children. lol I have every faith that you'll sort it out before you hit the auction block. Just kidding.

I've owned 4 boats in my lifetime nothing over 30ft and came to the realization they are a dent in the water you pour money into, the bigger the boat the bigger the dent, but I love being on the water.

Can’t you open the water tank, inspection hole, and get a wet/dry vac and suck the remaining water out? The water heater should have a bye pass valve so you could drain it, then use the pink stuff in the piping only. I know RV’s are set up that way even the instant hots. That’s my2 cents CUOTO’s

There are no good answers. Winterizing is a pain. Plus Paying money to have the boat covered with snow was a waste. Trouble is keeping boat in tropics = hurricane crapshoot and mildew, mold and uv damage…. Good luck…

Never cry over something that can’t cry for you.

I have daughters, 10 and 12…..I am the NO! Master

You could always switch to pink lemonade and then you won't notice the trace pink antifreeze residue. Seriously, if you triple rinse it should be pretty free of antifreeze. And it is food-safe, anyway.

Drain the water heater and put a bypass on the water heater so you don’t have to put antifreeze in the water heater. That’s what I do on my RV.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

I’d bet that your marine hot water tank has a drain to get it all out. But as the saying goes… dilution is the solution to pollution! So you might have to do 3 fills and flushes to get the ppm down to an acceptable level…

That is why they call it a BOAT Break Out Another Thousand

Tim your wise thinking is king. But your over rate the way a boat must be winter ready. It’s not true to put antifreeze everywhere. Just empty the water tanks blow air true if needed. But I most cases just empty the tanks and lines Salt water , close the inlet cock and fill is with fresh water add antifreeze. Let the generator run and so the engine, until the antifreeze is true. Als other saltwater system can be filled with antifreeze.. it does not have to be pink. Now the more important issues. Battery and moist. The AGM battery’s need a drip chargers system. Victron can do that. For lithium you may disconnect for while at 80% but it needs maintenance too. My fix for all issues is a webasto or eberspacher heater. We set it op to keep the temp just above freezing. Obviously the batteries must be on and charging. But it’s better than any other way or conserving a boat. We even keep the boiler on low but you can draining it as described above. We use a solar pannel and or shore power to keep the batteries charged. Diesel fuel .. store full tanks with winter diesel. Full tanks make no moist. If you have summer diesel add petrol ( benzine) the ratio is about 45 liter diesel about 4 liters petrol . This to prevent stolling . You will find you boat dry and ready every time you enter Never put stuf in your drinkwater system.

i never used the pink stuff my water drain for the water system drain valve was low in the hull used air to blow out the lines never had a problem drained the hot water tank as for the water tank small amount of water should be ok

You own the boat. The boat doesn’t own you.

$300,000 = 10% per year in maint. Minimum. Skip a year double then ad 10% to that.

Instead of the pink stuff, try vodka? Lol

Drain the tank as much as you can, then add Whisky...... At least you will enjoy the taste..

CUOTO!

.... " SV Mistress " .....

So many modern men seem to mistake hobbies for identities.

sell the house(s) and live on the boat when you aren't working

hire a diver to clean bottom.

Promo SM