Winterinzing a ballast system

[mvermeer]

I am new on this site and I recently purchased Kevin Middleton's Toyota Epic X22, which he has told me he was a regular on this website.  This is my first Toyota and so far I am very pleased with the boat.  I am from Iowa and fall is starting to show face here, so I am getting things ready to winterize.  I have printed the pictures of winterizing the boat and beleive that I can get that accomplished.  But this is the first boat that I had with a ballast system in it and was wondering if there was any special procedures to follow to winterize it or if it needs to be winterized at all.  Thanks for any input any of you might have for me.

[toyotafreak]

Welcome to the site!!! I can't give you any guidance on winterizing, but know others can (think Pete put together a procedure for it).

Are you anywhere near Afton or Creston? We get there every couple years for reunions.....

[mvermeer]

I am from northwest Iowa, about an hour north of Sioux City.  Creston is probably about 3.5 to 4 hours south and a little east of where I am at.  I am not sure if you ever heard of West Lake Okoboji, but it is a real popular vacation spot for a lot of people in the Midwest.  We are about an hour southwest of there.

I am pretty sure I got the winterizing of the motor down, I guess I am just wondering if anything needs to be done with the ballast system.  Thanks for your info.

[cyclone]

You just need to get the water out of the block an exhaust manifolds. You can either fill it up with antifreeze or do what I do for the two months I can't wakeboard, remove all water from  the boat during the winter. See the winterizing post for draining the exhaust manifolds and the block WHICH MUST BE DONE before freezing temps. It can be done easily with hand tools in about 30 minutes, same with all other routine maintenance on this engine. PULL THE THERMOSTAT before things freeze, it's three 12 mm nuts (studded!) and a rubber reuseable gasket. On the front of the motor, see the posts. For the ballast, there should be a gate valve near the forward water input in front of the motor. Open it, water will drain out through gravity. You definitely want to drain you speedo water, disconnect the small plastic tubes on the transom from the black plastic pitot tubes. There is a 5/16 brass nut holding them on, finger tight. They are under the swim platform. Disconnect the bag in the trunk and pull it for the winter. It will last longer.

See the other post for where the thermostat housing is, and where the block drains are. Don't worry, we will take care of you, and you bought an awesome boat that you will have so much fun with!

Let us all know if you have any questions. I know that boat, it is in top shape you will love it.

[toyotafreak]

So as far as the ballast system....I'd think just make sure the thing's as empty as you can. Could you try flipping on the exhaust pump and then helping it get the last bit by sticking a shop-vac over the exhaust hole? Guess the biggest thing would be to keep water out of the pumps. Could you just pull the pumps?

[cyclone]

If you open the seacock on the water inlet, all the water drains out of the system. You should flip the pumps on and off if you have the stock "Water Puppy" impeller pump, but all the other types (rule attwood, mayfair etc.) won't need that.