I have a 1972 Stardust Cruiser with fresh water holding tanks. I do not have a fresh water connection for pressurized water. I have to fill up the tanks, and turn on the pump when I want water. What is the best way to winterize this configuration? And if I put RV anti-freeze in the tanks and pump it through to all faucets, do I have to worry about the RV anti-freeze getting in my water heater? I have an RV and it has a bypass to prevent running anti-freeze through it's water heater. Sure could use some advice. Thanks in advance.

Bill

how about a good guess?

I use the same configuration but it's not cold enough here for me to worry about it. I guess if we had an unexpected extreme cold spell I'd just run a couple of heaters inside my boat just to be safe.

Your case made me think. I assume your area must get really cold but your water doesnt freeze over or else you'd probably pull your boat. I also assume keeping the boat heated must not be much of an option either. In that case I think I'd drain my water sytem each winter. If RV antifreeze doesnt require lotsa effort to rinse out to make your system potable again then that should be an option too. Cutoff the water to your heater if your worried about it. Sorry, not much help, maybe try boatfix.com.

The RV & the boat stores have a anti-freeze for drinking wanter tanks

Pump the water out, drain the Water Heater tank (the overflow)

mix the solution to factor speck and pour it in and run engage water in the to take up some of UN diluted water.

This water is DRINKABLE, does not taste so good, won't hart Water Heater.

in the springer drain it and keep drain it wile you put some water in it.

The taste will go away, it is not perm. the fill your takes and you are ready.

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You should drain and bypass your water heater and run as much water out of your fresh water tanks as you can. If you don't bypass the water heater it will take too much potable antifreeze to protect the system. Camping World and others sell a kit for the water heater that you can install so you just have to turn a valve to bypass. This saves removing the tank fittings and using a short hose and fittings every time you want to bypass.

After you get the water heater empty and bypassed and the fresh water tanks empty, simply dump some potable antifreeze in the fresh water tanks and run each water faucet and toilet (including showers) untill the flow out of the faucet shows pink. If your heads use sea water you will also need to close the sea cock, remove the hose from it and use it to suck antifreeze out of the jug until you are sure the lines are full. Of course all holding tanks must be empty when you start all this.

After all that rambling, I hope I haven't missed anything.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions.  All the replies are very helpfull, and I really appreciate it.