Winterizing 2006 SSI 21ft. 5.0

[Rick E]

Hello, I just purchased this boat and planning to winterize it. I an not familiar with the water system and want to make sure I a properly draining the motor. I can find one "blue" drain plug at the front to the right of the motor. All hoses seem to tie into this drain plug. There is also a long rod that has drain water on it at the top next to the oil filter. I could not find any other drain plug on the block or in the manifolds. Is this single blue drain plug empty the entire cooling system? I removed the upper hoses, pored marine AF in and it came out of the bottom drain plug.

Thanks in advance for your help. I am happy with my Chaparral purchase and look forward to getting it on the water next season for the first time. South Jersey waters. This is my first Chaparral boat.

Rick E.

 

[Iggy]

With the blue plugs, I take it a Merc and not a Volvo. I also take it, thats its raw water cooled. Yes?

 

[Rick E]

Yes, Merc, 5.0 and raw water cooled. I included two pictures.

thanks for offering help.

Rick

 

[BPTS]

You have what is known as the “Single Point Drain System” which is great……in theory. It is a single point drain to make winterizing easy but it does not take into account the very real possibility of blocked hoses from the water jackets. My dealer calls it “The Single Point Crack System”.
Trace the hoses to the water jacket and there should be quick disconnects on them-unhook them and make sure they are clear and drain freely. I blow mine out with my compressor.
I am going to guess you have an Alpha One drive- if so the raw water pump is in the lower unit and basically self draining. If it is a Bravo drive the raw water pump is on the lower left side of the engine and there are 2 blue drain plugs on it. If it is fuel injected you may have a fuel cooler on the lower right side of the engine which has a blue plug on it as well.
I unhook each hose I can and make sure they all drain.
It is a PITA but so is replacing an engine.