Finally succumbed to this winterizing thing...
16 January 2013 | HHN
Ko Barrett:40's and steady rain
So, here it is mid-January, with snow predicted for tomorrow. I guess it is time to winterize Little Wing.
I hired Brian from Zimmerman's to winterize while I was on the boat so I could learn the ropes. Best decision I could've made - I learned more about the boat today than I learned on my own all summer. Sure, I watched as he replaced the fuel filters and treated the diesel with stabilizer and biocide. And yes I learned how he changed the oil and transmission fluid. Oh, and I saw how to run antifreeze through the engine and air conditioner/heater and water lines and refrigerator and head. But even better than all of that, I now know what everything is on my boat. I know where the fresh water pump is. I know that the foot pump in the galley pumps fresh water. I learned that the mystery item with its own special access point from the cockpit is the upper coolant tank. I finally found the strainer for the air conditioner. I got my busted water globe valve fixed. And I cleaned the bilge...twice. Freakin' good day.
I've embraced the idea of leaving Little Wing for a few months to tend to other things - looking forward to coming out every once in a while but in full force in the Spring. A break will renew my enthusiasm for all the projects I've already piled up for March and April and May.
All in all, I wouldn't trade this year for anything.