FreedomYachts.org

Hi group,

I'm looking for recommendations on an antifreeze for the raw water intake cooling system (the exhaust system, open loop). The green antifreeze, ethylene glycol base, has beneficial engine additives but it's also toxic and I winterize my boat in a community with drinking water wells. So I won't use the green. Is the pink RV type, propylene glycol, sufficient? After changing other engine fluids I plan on running 2 gallons through the system and shutting down. Are there any non toxic antifreezes that are better for the engine?

Thanks.

We use the non-toxic pink ATF here in NJ and it works fine. We use about 15 gals for engine, AC, water system, bilge pumps etc. I will admit to using 1 gal of the green in the holding tank - Robert
F36 Paradigm hull #83
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

I have been using the pink stuff for years. You can get it at Walmart for under $3 per gallon. At West Marine its a bit more. This year there has been some question with the formulation so I have used the more expensive in the raw water system and the cheaper in everything else. My 33 Cat Ketch usually takes 8-10 gallons.

Some of the pink RV/marine antifreezes contain alcohol. Avoid those. Be sure to read the labels. You want propylene glycol.

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback.