Come again soon!

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ex-admin

For many of us in the colder climes, the boat has been hauled or prepped for wintering over. Some are tied up in far away slips, while others are as close their owner's driveway. Some feel that boats don't do well when the owner's are away; others think that the boat will do just fine all by itself. How often do you visit, or check on, your boat in winter? Do you visit often to make sure all is well? Do you ever go to the boat "just to be there?" Do you only visit the boat after a "weather event" occurs? Will you next visit involve a maintenance task, i.e., prepping the boat for spring launch? Or do you feel that the boat is just fine to sit out the winter in it's slip or sitting on the hard until it's time to sail once again? How to think about your boat over the winter? Share your thoughts here then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Warren Milberg)
 
Dec 2, 2003
210
Hunter 34 Forked River, NJ
Our Marina

is closed to owner's visits in January and February. We are not allowed on our boats!!!
 
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Andre K

almost weekly

My boat sits in front of the house (Hunter30), so it is easy for me to just climb aboard and "do thinghs". I tackle one project at the time, even if it is -5 or -10 out there. I even talko to my boat(sometimes). The Admiral thinks that I am nuts, but she quickly changes her opinion when it is time to go sailing, everything is beautiful and well maintained and admired by others... and myself of course. Can't wait til spring.... and not have to wear gloves when doing something.... Happy sailing - for those all year around, I envy you....
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
Need my fix

I visit the boat every couple of weeks or when a "winter event" has occurred. Last week I found that my main halyard came loose after the outhaul shackle pin fell out (probably from wind vibration). The halyard streamed over to the third boat (downwind) and wrapped around his shroud. Yesterday, I went down and retrieved it and re-secured it. It pays to be diligent when you live a short distance away. But just visiting her to rub her belly and get my "boat fix" occurs about every 2 weeks.
 
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Dana Smith

jkksail

I don't think I would have a storage that did not allow people to their boats for two months. ouch!!!
 
Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Just have to touch and caress her!

Was on the boat yesterday having lunch while tidding up after moving some batteries and re-wiring. My wife says it improves my health to visit the boat often. It helps me sleep at night since I don't pull on the sheet lines as much in my dreams. Jim S/V Java
 
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Howard

Winter Visits

Visit about once a month to make sure all is well there. I just love to be in the yard with the boat....however, many times I've found that something needs to be done: fix the tarp, air out the interior, etc.
 
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Dave

Going to boat

I'm amazed at how infrequently most of my sailing friedns go to their boats over the winter. Most don't visit at all. Most are surprised to find water in the their boats when they do visit. I like to visit every couple of weeks. There is always something to do there. Sometimes its maintenance, sometimes its to just sit in the boat and have lunch, sometimes its to think about spring!!!
 
Jun 3, 2004
3
Catalina 30 Chester,N.S
Drop by

We go over to see our boat every couple of weeks and for sure after any weather event. You never know whats taking place at the boat. So we feel its better to be safe than sorry. It's still too cool to start any projects although now that the sun is getting stronger we'll find it warmer under her cover.
 
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Mister_j

must be nice...

It must be nice to be close enough to visit your baby frequently! When the distance is great, the snow is deep, and work is heavy, I find I'm going full-time to put away money for the spring spruce-up and sail. I'm there every night in my dreams, though....
 
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Jack Rudolph

Most Every Weekend

I visit and sail my boat almost every weekend ... due to the realative weather here. I have both heat pumps (2) and diesel ducted heat so that I do not have to run my gen set while anchored oot at night. I sail rain, snow, ice, sleet...it is a real adventure!!!! Jack
 
Jan 18, 2004
221
Beneteau 321 Houston
Twice a Week, generally!

Went sailing today. The wind t'was a bit on the light side, but the 80 DEG weather was nice. Satursay was great, about 62 with 12 knots out of the south. Ah Hmmmm. Jon
 
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Ray Ortega

Not often enough!

Around here, winters have generally been mild. Generally, I try to check on the boat every week or two. Sometimes, we get really nice days and checking turns into sailing. Now that Feb. is half over, I'll charge up the battery, put on the sails and covers and dare my boss to give me a hard time on a nice afternoon.
 
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Don

Almost daily, but.....

only because she's a trailer sailor and in the warehouse. I can do a few little repairs that don't require much warmth. On the days I'm not at work the cat stands watch. Only three more months till she moves under sail!!!
 
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Bert Neville

She's in sight......

All I have to do is look out my kitchen window and there's my Mac26X sitting in the driveway, mast raised and halyards silenced nicely so they don't keep my kids awake at night in their bedrooms. Winters are when I do my mods and cleanups on my Mac, and they're short indeed so I have to hurry. Tough, huh.....having to move fast because the sailing season comes so quickly? It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling to see her every day. Nothing like pride of ownership.
 
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Tom L.

every day on the way to work

I walk to work every day.My repair business is 30 yards from the house door & the M26X is in between, ah the the best way to have it.I bring her in the shop during slower times to get her ready for the thaw.It's -15 c here 8 F for those south of the 49th, we thought it was a pretty nice day here in Wandering River 150 miles north of Edmonton About 900miles north of the 49th
 
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Pete

Come Again Soon

I always feel guilty about not getting to my boat enough in winter. I usually only make one visit and find that there is almost always lots of stuff that needs attention. Maybe next year....?
 
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ex-admin

Security in Numbers

My general rule of thumb is to make every effort to check on my boat (H31) at least every two weeks. And since I live an hour to and hour 15 mintues drive from her those winter checks need to be on the weekends. Sometimes weather or work prevents from my "normal" every two weeks. That's why for my piece of mind I make sure I have all lines doubled during the winter. If one fails I have backup. My winter routine usually involves checking lines for chaffing, checking bilge/bilge pump, checking water level in batteries, making sure a leak has not occured somewhere since my last visit and basically just an overall "visual" inspection from deck level of the running/standing rigging. So far this routine has worked just fine for me. The weather here on the lower Chesapeake Bay should start improving over the next several weeks & I can begin spring maintenance-haulout prepartions. Here's to everyone who's had to indure a cold and land locked winter like myself. Get out there and do some sailing this Spring!
 
Aug 31, 2004
84
Oday 322 St Clair Shores
dreaming

I am storing my new sailboat on my brother's property - about 50 miles away. Since it arrived so late in the fall I was unable to sail it before I put it up for the winter. I get up to visit the boat every few weeks to dream about putting it in as soon as the ice melts and to deal with the accumulation of ice and snow. My brother thinks I am just getting up to visit him more often....
 
Dec 5, 2004
77
Glander Tavana Mexico Beach, Florida
Canal sailing!

Yes, we regularly visit our boat. She is berthed in the Mexico Beach Canal right now. We do what we call "canal sailing". A few beers, a little music.... We are also doing quite a few renovations on her (A Glander Tavana 33). Everything from new wireing to complete cabin and deck painting. So, we are down there a couple times a week. Of course, it isn't too bad when the weather is in the 70s. I don't think we would be quite so energetic witht he project if we had to contend with three feet of snow.
 
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