Winterizing for in-water winter

[DCatSea]

We're doing the Alexandria VA Parade of Lights again this year in December and I'm thinking to leave Mazboot in the water afterwards for the coming winter. This would be a first as she usually comes out for the cold months, but I kind of like the idea of some chilly cruising.

Hopefully the Potomac will not freeze over; I have a bubbler and probably will get a bilge heater unless someone thinks this is bad idea. I'll also be doing a good engine service in the late Fall, and applying the usual new fluids, draining tankage etc.

Do you northern Coldweather Albineers have suggestions for helping us weather the storm?

Thanks

[RockAndReel]

Bilge heaters work great, until we have a storm and the power goes out.
Just something to think about..

[tego]

Doug, I've wintered in the water in Mass. for 3 years and didn't have a problem. You've lived there long enough to know the odds of an overnight power loss-but you can safe-side it with a "little Buddy" propane heater and a few small cannisters of propane. If the river doesn't freeze there, the odds are very much in your favor that you'll be OK. Ben

[GSSeattle]

PNW here so we tend not to get a lot of hard freezes that last more than a day or two. I leave the boat in year round. Oil change and zincs in the fall. For the winter I use the Caframo 'Pali' 400W bilge safe heater in the ER, and then in the cabin I have a davis dehumidifier and an electric heater that has an anti-freeze thermostat setting (40 degrees I think). I just make sure the bilge heater and cabin heater are on separate circuits so they don't trip a breaker if they both come on at the same time.