Putting TUI to bed at season-end.
It is extremely important that the engine is serviced prior to winterizing.
The contact for the mobile mechanic is below. The engine takes approximately
6.25 – 6.5 litres of oil.
When preparing for wintering over, it is useful to have a checklist to go through. If Tui is going up on a hardstand (for example at the Allemand yard at Agde) then it should be placed slightly stern-down to assist rainwater drainage, and the tarpaulins (baches in French) used.
Obviously, some of this will not apply if TUI is going to be stored on water or in a shed.
It can take 2-3 days to complete the wintering over checklist if going up onto an open Hardstand, about a day if in the water or going into a shed.
Early in the process take linen to the local Laverie Automatique, or use machine on board, then pack it away when dry in the large sealable plastic bags with the air excluded.
- Clean out any oil/water from the engine compartment.
- Top up engine header tank/radiator with anti-freeze solution.
- There is a ‘Kill’ switch next to the starting battery in the engine compartment which could be turned on. We just discovered this in 2022!
- Empty water tank completely – mop up any water in bilge by water tank.
- Leave diesel tank full. Drain small amount of diesel off to ensure no water in fuel tank.
- Pump out bilge whilst in the water and remove all fluids from bilges.
- Clean shower trays and disinfect.
- Empty fridge and clean. Remove ALL food from the boat, open fridge compartments and leave doors propped slightly open,
- Disconnect engine and house batteries – don’t use the switch, physically unbolt the wires at the battery terminals.
- Clean out recesses in rear deck that the locker lids fit into.
- Remove, clean and store mooring ropes.
- Clear starboard side deck drain
- Wash down roof and decks.
- Clean out rear port locker and store anything of value that may ‘walk’ inside the boat (except residual fuel). This includes the Generator, the bikes and the boat-hooks.
- Check that locking device for the engine locker and rear port locker is properly deployed and working OK. This is a rope that connects through the catches in the locker lids into the rear bathroom side wall storage recess. If the boat is wrapped in plastic, don’t bother to secure rear deck locks from internally.
- Turn off gas at supply bottles and at stove.
- Secure fenders to deck.
- Check that rat preventers are in place (at the bow end of sliding lounge windows).
- Remove any water from bilges (syphon with the green hose which is to be stored in the rear left locker).
- Seal the rear locker recesses and the two filler caps with orange tape.
- Tape up all windows and anywhere that you think that rats and mice can enter. Put down rat poison.
- Remove battery from smoke detector
- Turn off house batteries (red switch under the Dash).
- Draw curtains all round. Apply curtains to front and rear windows, and bedroom windows. Cover the Dash. Shut all windows.
- If out of water it is a good idea to waterblast the hull as soon as it is lifted out as the fouling comes off easier when wet.
- If out of water check integrity of rudder and prop and shaft.
- If tarping, tie down the Tarpaulins securely with the front first, back second and middle third if on a hardstand.
- Leave keys with the manager of the Yard/Port/Shed.
Happy travelling !
Canal Boat Tui 