Winterize or not?

[Majetak]

Hello everyone, I am just getting my 2003 Carver 366. I am currently in the Annapolis MD area and wanted to get recommendations for what most people do for the winter with their boats in this area. I'm a first time boat owner so I am looking for some recommendations on what to do for the winter. Is the Annapolis area ok to just leave it in the water as long as I have the boat in a slip with power and water and run the heaters and take it out a few times a month this winter or would it be better to get it pulled for the winter and winterized?

[tomschauer]

You can pull it or leave it in the water if the marina allows and has bubblers, but either way it needs to be winterized. If you have freshwater cooled engines and install a bilge heater you MAY be able to get away with not winterizing your engines but many of your domestic water and a/c water lines run through areas that are exposed more to the outside temps than the inside and will freeze. Then you have to consider what happens if you lose power for a few hours.
Talk to others in your marina for advice and also your insurance company. Make sure you are covered if it freezes while in the water.

[tomschauer]

Also you say with power and water. The marina will shut down the water. Usually before thanksgiving, earlier if the weather turns.

[waybomb]

I lived on Kent Island for a few years. The first year I left the boat in the water.
Never again.
Nothing went wrong, but I was at the boat anytime it got to freezing, and then losing sleep all night worrying about something happening to it.
Also worried about vandalism since the marina was mostly empty.
After that, I had it taken out and brought to my house.

[g36]

I dont live in your are but in tennessee. However . We get plenty of freezing temps here also. I keep bilge heaters and a couple cabin heaters around 45 degrees. I don't live far from my marina either. However for piece of mind I have setup ip cameras that I can check from anywhere. ( which might help you) . that I can monitor the docks power and view my remote thermometers for the bilge and cabin temps that way any problems I know about it and can take care of it . Just fyi