Winterizing 2020 GS 22 on boat lift

[rwrose]

With our local dealer pushing $600 for a basic winterization (no oil change or other services), I am going to do it myself this year. I would like to run anti-freeze through after I drain the raw water side of the system. I believe I have the quick drain system since this is a 2020 ZR4, so draining the raw side water should be simple enough. To flush with antifreeze I can't use a fake a lake, since the boat stays on a boat lift. My question is what is the best way to run 5 gallons or so of anti-freeze through the raw water side. Is it possible to tie into the raw water pump directly? The boat is 1.5 hrs away, so hoping to get the right fittings before I drive up there. Thanks in advance!


Bob

[Rednucleus]

How cold does it get there? Do you have power at the lift?

[rwrose]

It is in the N. Ga Mountains, so we can get multi-day stretches below freezing. I have power in the boat house and run a heater in the bilge, but the power is prone to going out when the weather gets bad up in the mountains.

I'm extra cautious on winterization since I lost an engine to freeze damage in our Chaparral. It was a Mercruiser 496 MAG which had partial closed cooling and I did not realize the anti-freeze on the closed side of the system had leaked and been replaced with raw seawater. Luckily, I had a freeze damage endorsement on my insurance policy.

[hal2814]

Drain is all you need. Antrifreeze is a waste of time and effort and no longer recommended by PCM. But if you insist you can just remove the hose going to the sea strainer and run a hose from there into a bucket of antifreeze.

[rwrose]

Ok, thanks for that perspective.

[Scooter G]

How does one capture the anti-freeze coming out the exhaust and not going into the drink. I could probably lie awake at night and drum up a few ways.
Mrs. Kravitz next door has her binoculars out and speed dials her Cousin at the EPA. Probably not the right thing to do anyway.
I've used 5 gallon buckets to catch the overflow on land, but might be a little more difficult on a lift, maybe not. Just curious

[rwrose]

In the past I always used the "non-toxic" marine/rv antifreeze...That said, I have not really dealt with this since we bought the house with the boathouse and lift. I paid the dealer to do it. Another good reason to skip it, I suppose.