My Freedom 38 is on the hard with a two year old Fairclough cover on it. The mast is up, the hatches and ports are closed. So, I went to the boat yesterday (it had been a couple of months) and found 4 inches of frozen in the bilge. All I can think is that is somehow worked its way down the mast. Greatly surprised how it could have gotten there.
Looking for a warm up to get it out. Had disconnected the batteries so the auto bilge pump couldn’t help on this.
Ideas?
Thanks
Are all your water tanks drained and winterized? Is the raw water system drained and winterized?
I’d bet that it came down the mast and drained into the bilge.
– Geoff
everything was drained and winterized.
So, how does it come down the mast? The collar seems pretty complete, filled with some silicon type stuff (PO) but that’s allt hat I can image also.
thanks for the suggestions.
Geoff; is there someone you recommend for the installation of radar if I went that way this spring? I’m on the Narragansett.
regards,
Water can always get inside of the mast through the holes in it for the halyards and sheaves. That has to go somewhere.
As far as an electronics installer, I don’t have any recommendations. I used to use Key Electronics, but they’re expensive and it’s been a long time since I’ve used them.
– Geoff
Ed,
Has to come down the mast. My 38 is on the hard in the Chesapeake and I always find water in the bilge after a heavy rain. It’s the same in a slip. When I’m at my mooring the bilge stays dry. BTW it isn’t coming down around the mast collar.
Jim Demerest
F36/38 Lady of Remes
Ed,
Same boat, same cover, same problem…and the same conclusion…down the inside of the mast. I use a suction sphere to get the water out every couple of months. It’s a pain.
I’ll confirm what everyone else has said. Same boat, same cover, same conditions, same water in the bilge.
Brien
F36/38
Mattapoisett, MA
Glad I’m not odd man out. Was afraid my boat was sinking on dry land. Think I will throw some salt in the bilge to melt the ice and pump it out.
Thanks guys.
I thought about putting salt in but thought it might damage the sump pump. Then I was thinking of pouring car washer fluid, but thought that would leave a stain. Maybe alcohol would do the trick…I have some gin left over after Christmas
That would be alcohol abuse! 
As I pull the batteries while it is on the hard, leaving the boat no reasonable way of draining this water, I have developed a habit of pouring a gallon of the lowest freeze point potable antifreeze in the bilge as a final winterization task. My thinking has been that if I am going to get some water in here anyways, I would rather lessen the possibility of it freezing. Hasn’t seemed to have caused any issues, although I normally don’t check to see if the resultant water has frozen none the less.
i have heard of two instances of boats properly sinking on dry land , water up to the bunk cushions in both cases, leaves in the cockpit drains being the culprit i think. also watch shes propped right as the boat wont drain if trimmed bow up / bow down , though i once had a boat we deliberately propped bow high as she drained better.
phil
In regards to electronic work I have heard Bayside Navigation, Sam Stiness does a good job.
I have this email addy Baynav1@aol.com
I have a freedom 30 and have always had shrinkwrap. No problems, however I have not looked at it this year and now you have me figuring I better check it out.
Same problem on a freedom 28 in Bristol I go every couple of weeks if not frozen and pump it out manuly with hand pump
Next season after haul out i have a canvas bag gonna go to the top of mast and try to secure it with a couple of bungee cords ,