[QUOTE=Creedence623;254]I recently moved to Norfolk, VA and was wondering what your thoughts are on winterizing my boat. I've only ever owned boats in warmer climates (Hawaii and Florida) so the whole winterizing deal is new to me. Do you think it is necessary in my area if it is kept in its slip for the winter? I plan on sailing it occasionally during the off season, and hanging out onboard at the slip at least once every other week or so, a day or two at a time. I know the spectrum of winterization is vast so I was hoping to get some guidance on what steps are necessary and which ones I can get by without. As always, thanks![/QUOTE]

I'm just up the bay in Deltaville, but I have always winterized and hauled my boat for the winter and can't add the voice of experience to your situation.

However I can tell you will get freezing temps for several days at a time in Norfolk, so some precautions are probably needed. I'd likely winterize the head and fresh water system for sure, and use shoreside faciites when just hanging out.

Since you plan to use the boat some during the off season, winterizing the raw water cooling system gets tricky. If you want to be sure nothing is damaged by freezing, I'd think you'd need to re-winterize it after each use.

I am just down the waterway from you in Washington, NC. I leave my boat in the water for the winter. I drain the water tanks, but do not put in antifreeze ( the non toxic stuff)in them as it is difficult to get the taste out in the spring. Others have suggested vodka which will get into the lines at the pump and keep the freezing point high. A plus, is that in the spring your water will have a nice martini taste for awhile. I do put anitfreeze in the drain lines after closing the seacocks. I also hang lightbulbs in the v berth, main salon, and in the motor compartment. I also use that white water soaker mixture in each cabin. This and the light bulbs help to keep the moisture down. I have also run antifreeze thru the motor water intake to keep the motor safe.

Since Norfolk is north of here, you will get some colder weather, so I would definitely do all the above to avoid any disasters in the spring. It generally doesn't get below freezing for many days in a row, but better safe than sorry. If the water doesn't freeze, then everything below your waterline should be ok. However, there have been thoser strange times when things can get extremely cold, and we get 20 inches of snow.