Winterizing live wells

[Zendoula]

I just bought a 2004 Lund Pro-V. Am I supposed to winterize the livewells and if so could someone explain the procedure,

Thanks Carl

[Manxfishing]

I've just blown out the drains with air and then put a little RV anti-freeze (red pop) in there.
I also run the bilge dry and dump some down there as well.

It's been working for me so far.

[BCLII]

Fall is also a good time to lubricate the valve cables, so they continue to work with ease.

[jasontrucks76]

Thanks for this post..... It made me remember I had not drained my livewell from the last outing.... three weeks ago:-( My drift sock was still in one of them and wet.

Take care!

[Waxy]

Here's the system I use, and I think it works great.

I use a an old chemical/fertilizer lawn sprayer - the style where you pour a couple gallons into it and then pump it up to pressurize it. I fill the sprayer with RV antifreeze, pump it up, and then connect the hose to the intake on the transom. The pressure helps the pumps draw the antifreeze and makes everything a lot simpler.

It's even easier if you have two people. One guy holds the tank and makes sure it's connected to the right intake, the other guy operates each switch in both positions (intake, recirc) and walks around the boat to make sure that they've completely drawn and circulated the antifreeze.

Pull the plug and run the bilge pump dry and you're ready to go.

I can winterize the livewells using this system for about $5 in RV antifreeze and about 10mins. It's so simple that you can do it every day if you're using your boat on those late Oct/Nov. days when you get a pretty good freeze at night.

Waxy

P.S. Don't forget the washdown pump if you have one on your boat!

[Explorer]

Forget all the chemicals. Take the top off your pumps and clean out any debris that might have been sucked in thru your inlet. You should have the screens on to keep out larger items. Blow out your pump with air along with your water lines and your all set till next spring. Have never had any problems with this method.

[duckbutter]

Don't forget to drain your washdown system too, if you have one

[The Bullhead]

I have never done anything aside from allowing everything to gravity drain (park a few minutes on the ramp), kick the pumps on for a few secs - for good measure.

Never had an issue.

[Dave G]

Around SE MN some dealers leave their new and used boats out all winter uncovered in the rain and snow, apparently without problems. I fish all winter at Pool 4 Red Wing MN and have used my live well without problems for 15 years in my Lunds. I just run the pump a few seconds when out of the water. So I suspect many boat makers have solved this problem.

[ffishman]

I replaced both my live well pumps about 3 years ago. I added about 3 inches of clear hose to each pump. Now, I can see if it is holding water ornot.

[budsbud66_w]

whats with the RV anti-freeze?



Make sure your not storing water anywhere in the boat...

drain your lower unit. trim motor all the way down to assure there is no water in it.


thats it, im not sure whats all the riff raff. after all most us only store are boats for 2 or 3 months.....

[Waxy]

whats with the RV anti-freeze?

Make sure your not storing water anywhere in the boat...

drain your lower unit. trim motor all the way down to assure there is no water in it.

thats it, im not sure whats all the riff raff. after all most us only store are boats for 2 or 3 months.....

Do you have livewells on your boat?

Would you leave your RV stored all winter without RV antifreeze? What's the difference?

If I did what you're describing, I'd be putting new livewell pumps and plumbing in my boat every spring. You just can't get all the water out that way, and you're rolling the dice with cracking something. I've experienced it first hand, and I don't ever want to deal with that hassle and expense again.

The other reason for using the RV antifreeze is if you plan on using the boat regularly during freezing temperatures. It means there's no worries about pumps or lines being frozen in the morning - meaning they work and there's no risk of damage.

$2-3 for a gallon of RV antifreeze (it's completely non-toxic) and 15 mins at the end of the day or the season makes sure there's no headaches.

To each his own, I'm just letting people know what has worked for me...

Waxy

P.S. The RV antifreeze has nothing to do with outboard.

[Vtec1]

I think this way is just a little easier than Waxy's.

Attach an old garden hose to livewell intake that's about 5 ft long. Shove a funnel on to the cutoff end, start up the livewell pump and dump a gallon of RTV from above the transom(standing on back of boat). You could save a little from the gallon and dump that into the bilge area too.