Preparing for a freeze

Just in time, we managed to get over to Quo and drain down the hot and cold water systems.

The engine cooling and central heating systems have anti-freeze in them, so are OK to leave over winter, but the hot and cold water pipes are vulnerable to freezing and have to be carefully drained.

It was this time last year that we took over Quo, but the weather was very different, it was the big freeze-up, and Whilton Marina had already winterised her so all the water tanks were empty.

I started the drain-down by just opening a hot and cold tap until the main cold water tank ran dry, then using my spare pump to drain every last drop from the tank, and an old towel to dry it out.

To my surprise, the hot water tank was still full of water ... hmmmmmm .... back to the drawing board. 

Luckily, my second attempt to drain it worked, I took the outlet off the boat's water pump and fitted it to the inlet of my spare pump, then opened the boat's hot taps and started the spare pump ... Bingo ... the tank dutifully emptied, and Quo is now ready to face whatever this winter brings.

We popped over to check on her on Christmas eve, ran the engine and mopped up a small quantity on water from the engine bilge ... I suspect a small leak from the gutter that drains around the engine cover ... I'll check it out when the weather is a bit warmer .... otherwise, she's in good order and we noted that the water level was up in the marina, boding well for a cruise in the near future.

It is the tuesday after Christmas, and we went for a walk along the towpath near Newton Harcourt, and noted that the water levels at Spinney Lock were fine, with water running down the spillways. 

Hopefully it won't be too long before we can get Quo out and about again.