Remove ballast bags during winter ?

[Langwell]

This will be my first winter with my z3 , i was curious if i should pull and drain the ballast bags during winterazation. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys.

[lee]

It will help the boat dry out.

[hcooperrn]

I pulled mine just to be sure there was no risk of freeze damage and to let everything stay nice and dry. I'll be converting all of the fittings to quick connects while they're out to make it easier, those front bags aren't the easiest to get out.

[BCRider]

I pull all mine to get all the water out and let the lockers fully dry. Also gives me a chance to wipe the bags down as they get a bit slimy on the bottoms.

[007]

I still have the dealer winterize, but we don't take ours out.

[chpthril]

I would at least get all the water out of the sacs, especially those boats with Surf-XL (no sub floor hard tanks). Water left in the XL sac likely means water remaining in the drain pump. If you have older gen boats with the fly high style quick connects, I like to pull them and let the locker and sac dry as they sweat over the summer. If you have the tige sac without the quick connect fittings, at least fold them up or over the side as best you can and let everything dry before the long storage.

[MikeB313]

Just pour about half gallon of RV Antifreeze in each bag, cycle your drain pumps until it spits out pink and you're good to go.

[Jetdriver]

If you can pull them fairly easily do it then run both your fill and drain pumps to remove any residual water. Otherwise run some antifreeze through them as suggested above. If you don’t have quick disconnects nows a good time to install some. If I’m not using my boat for a week or two (god forbid!) I like to be able to periodically take them out and dry the boat out completely.

[IDBoating]

I pull all mine to get all the water out and let the lockers fully dry. Also gives me a chance to wipe the bags down as they get a bit slimy on the bottoms.

x2 on this. Plus you can use a shop vac to blow out the hoses and pumps once the bags are out.

I also lift the sacs with one fitting at the lowest point to insure all water is out. Obviously they are not "dry" inside but no sense in letting an accumulation of lake water just sit in there.

[Langwell]

Thank you guys for all your suggestions.