Hull deflection winter storage H35?

Sep 19, 2007
4
- - Little Current
I have an 88 Hunter Legend 35 on the North Channel of Great Lakes and time for winter storage on six pad cradle. Do the turnbuckles need loosening for hull deflection? I understand the aluminum mast will contract more than the stainless steel stays; but does the fiberglass hull flex on the hard and stress the rigging? Also plumbers antifreeze or automotive antifreeze in the Yanmar over the winter?
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,491
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
lots of stuff in the archives here about this already.
No need to loosen the stays. In fact, that will only exacerbate the flexing.
Best to use auto antifreeze in engine to ensure rust protection.
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
I agree. If I leave my mast up for the winter I don't do anything with the rig but remove the sails and lash or remove the boom. I run the cheapest auto a/f I can find through the raw side of the engine. A gallon of premixed should do it. Save the RV a/f for the potable water system.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,645
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I believe Auto antifreeze - Ethylene Glycol - is regarded as highly toxic to marine ecosystems and I would assume aquatic systems too. So considering that almost no one re-captures it in the spring it isn't doing your local sailing ground any good. Around our boatyard they call marine antifreeze "Non-Tox." Your call.