2013 G23 Winterization

[nohlan_4]

I did a search and couldn't find anything specific to what I am looking for. Does anyone have a winterization procedure for the 2013 G23 with heater? First time I will tackling this myself as the nautique dealer is just too far since I have moved into a new house. I know its early to be asking about this but I want to get my ducks in a row because within a month it will be time to start getting prepped.

[SVXTC]

Super easy to winterize the G23 Nohlan. Any questions feel free to message me. North Dakota and Canada we have a similar winter and season

[nyryan2001]

Call PCM customer service and ask them to send you this yellow winterization chart for your specific engine setup.

[nohlan_4]

Call PCM customer service and ask them to send you this yellow winterization chart for your specific engine setup.

Will that cover the heater and ballast for the boat as well?

[Evening Shade]

I've never winterized my ballast, but I live in the southeast so not has cold here as Canada, but it definitely freezes here.

[nohlan_4]

I've never winterized my ballast, but I live in the southeast so not has cold here as Canada, but it definitely freezes here.

I remember reading something in the boat manual about ballast winterization....kind of confusing the way they word it in the manual. Just want some clarification.

[Jeb1974]

I remember reading something in the boat manual about ballast winterization....kind of confusing the way they word it in the manual. Just want some clarification.

It's a bit of a pain to winterize ballast pumps since they fill and empty below the waterline. I disconnect the hoses where they connect to the through-hull then poured some antifreeze into each hose and run it on fill for a few seconds. I make sure the bags are totally empty before doing this. This year I might try using fake-a-lake with a bucket of antifreeze and see if it works.

Some people don't bother putting antifreeze into their pumps but for the extra 20 minutes it takes I'll do it for my own peace of mind. Make sure you don't use RV antifreeze anywhere in your engine or ballasts. It eats away at seals.

Also, no need to do anything with the heater since it's part of the closed loop system.

[nohlan_4]

It's a bit of a pain to winterize ballast pumps since they fill and empty below the waterline. I disconnect the hoses where they connect to the through-hull then poured some antifreeze into each hose and run it on fill for a few seconds. I make sure the bags are totally empty before doing this. This year I might try using fake-a-lake with a bucket of antifreeze and see if it works.

Some people don't bother putting antifreeze into their pumps but for the extra 20 minutes it takes I'll do it for my own peace of mind. Make sure you don't use RV antifreeze anywhere in your engine or ballasts. It eats away at seals.

Also, no need to do anything with the heater since it's part of the closed loop system.

So heater core is full of antifreeze? You are sure on the 2013?

[Bobbysky]

I can confirm the heater is on the closed loop portion of the cooling system so no need to do anything with the heater.

[nohlan_4]

I can confirm the heater is on the closed loop portion of the cooling system so no need to do anything with the heater.

Thanks for the reply!

Does anyone know how to drain the transmission? In the PCM manual it talks about a copper tube on the bottom? Can you suck from the fill hole with an evacuator?

[Jlambe99]

Hi all! I picked up a 2013 G23 in and love the boat. Freak (somewhat although it is Canada) cold on the way so I’ve made a bit of a panic trip to the lake as my boat is out and on the trailer and we’re going to minus 7 Celsius (20 Celsius or so) over the next couple night. Don’t think it’s enough to do damage but don’t want to take chances so although a new boat to me I’m rush winterizing. Block / heat exchangers / ballast and heater no problem but can’t imagine how i’m going to get to the oil cooler or transmission cooler given their apparent placement on the water chart. I can touch then and wrap my hand around at best can’t imagine getting a wrench in either. Wonder if I’m missing something is there a way to run some antifreeze or something in lieu of getting at them to drain?

[Jlambe99]

XS550 engine by the way. Both coolers appear to be way down under the engine.

[scottb7]

Yeah, due to where placed on my g21 zr409 i can't get to my engine and tranny oil coolers either. What i do is suck in rv antifreeze first, then drain everything i can reach. I would just suck in rv av and not drain but on my engine it has exhaust manifold thermostat so i gotta drain manifolds as no way to know if exhaust manifolds have water or rv av. Kind of backwards to suck in rv av then drain, but that's what i do. gives me peace of mind when i see pink rv out the exhaust at back of boat and when i drain what i can reach.

also, what is nice is if you suck in av antifreeze you also skip the v drive drain plug.

p.s. also what i do is buy the freeze protection with my boat insurance...case i mess something up...

[nohlan_4]

Hi all! I picked up a 2013 G23 in and love the boat. Freak (somewhat although it is Canada) cold on the way so I’ve made a bit of a panic trip to the lake as my boat is out and on the trailer and we’re going to minus 7 Celsius (20 Celsius or so) over the next couple night. Don’t think it’s enough to do damage but don’t want to take chances so although a new boat to me I’m rush winterizing. Block / heat exchangers / ballast and heater no problem but can’t imagine how i’m going to get to the oil cooler or transmission cooler given their apparent placement on the water chart. I can touch then and wrap my hand around at best can’t imagine getting a wrench in either. Wonder if I’m missing something is there a way to run some antifreeze or something in lieu of getting at them to drain?

I so live in Alberta. What I have done last two years is the easiest way. Dry run ballast till no more water comes out. Then I have T’d into my main water seacock with a valve and a garden hose connector. Get about 8 gallons of rv and suck it all up and run it through the boat. Also before I run the rv through I run the boat till no more raw water comes out the exhaust, maybe 30 seconds. As far as exhaust thermostats I have taken mine right out of the circuit as it serves little purpose and caused me more issues than anything.

[scottb7]

Yeah, that is a good way to go too. You probably don't even need to bother running the boat to get the raw water out first. If I was doing your way I would skip that to keep the raw water pump primed. I gonna think about your way. I think I am too nervous not to pull plugs...but that's just me...