We have put Wind Horse into sleep mode for the winter. Following are a list of items to which we attended. This looks long, but takes us about two days, plus a day of work by one of the mechanics at Berthon’s. Most of this is preventive in nature, so when we launch in the spring we are ready to go as soon as we do a quick systems check.

Engine Room:

• Change engine, transmission, and genset oil and filters.
• Clean engine air cleaners.
• Remove raw water pumps and rebuild (both are OK, this is preventive).
• Remove and inspect alternator drive belts, check bearings on idler, spring tensioner, fresh water pump, and alternators (all OK).
• Replace alternator drive belts (inspection is fine, but they have 2000 hours on them).
• Grease various Zirc fittings.
• Replace zincs on engine, transmission, and hydraulic heat exchangers.
• Close engine room air intakes, fuel shut off valve, fuel system breathers (on day tanks).
• Hook up trickle charger to genset battery.
• After engine and genset exhausts have dried seal exhaust pipes.
• Check bolt torque on steering system (tillers, drag link, hydraulics).
• Check bolts on alternators, engine mounts, engine mount feet, CV axles, thrust bearings.

Outboard:

• Grease various Zirc fittings.
• Flush with fresh water.
• Spray inside cowling with protective coating.
• Run gas out of carburetor.
• Remove gas tanks and stow in swim step lockers.
• Disconnect battery and move to engine room, place on trickle charger.

Dinghies:

• oars, seats, loose gear and stow.
• Pull power dink emergency gear and awning and stow.

On Deck:Remove

• Remove awnings.
• Rinse with fresh water,dry, stow in forepeak.
• Organize forepeak, rinse with fresh water.
• Grease windlass.
• Clean windlass clutch cones
• Coat windlass motor and terminals with anti-corrosive spray.
• Tear down, clean, and lube deck winches.
• Reverse anchor chain (required cutting shackle off – use better anti-seize next time).
• Pressure wash deck and superstructure.
• Clean and polish stainless.
• Fit storm covers to hatches.
• Remove diesel heater chimney and seal pipe.

Basement:

• General cleaning.
• Check plumbing connections.
• Work all valves.
• Change Perry water conditioner on heating system (done yearly).
• Inspect stabilizer mechanisms.
• Have service tech check four Marine Air compressor units (first time since launching – one of four units slightly low on refrigerant.

Miscellaneous:

• Remove batteries from all devices (flashlights, portable GPSs, meters, dinghy running lights, cameras.
• Set up dehumidifier on galley sink (drains directly overboard).
• Open closet doors, various access hatches to promote ventilation.
• Deflate and stow extra ball fenders (used in rough docking environments).
• Check fire extinguisher pressure gauges (all OK).
• Defrost both freezers, clean boxes, wipe doors and gaskets.
• Check clean freezer operation with infra red remote temperature sensing of evaporator plates.
• Clean all strainers.
• Run warm water with bleach through sink and shower drains (kills odor).
• Pump fresh water and a little mineral oil through manual head (lubrication and odor control).

Winterizing:

• Run propylene glycol mixed with fresh water – 25% ratio – through plumbing as antifreeze.
• Fill strainers on bilge pumps with propylene glycol mixture and pull into pump bodies.
• Recirculate propylene glycol in water maker membranes (preserve and freeze protection).
• Install two small strip heaters – engine room and forward cabin – set at 40F (5C).