Greetings from a newbie/lurker who has enjoyed and learned a lot on this forum over the last few months. I recently bought a Catalina 36 (1987) and have stored it in the water (now a few inches of solid ice) outside of Annapolis. Not that there is anything to be done about it at this point, but is there any danger to the boat in this situation? There are lots of boats in the water/ice in and around Annapolis, so I have to assume that it's basically OK, but would appreciate any thoughts or experiences anyone may have. Thanks in advance!
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Seaworthy...
Tom - BoatUS insurance publishes a newsletter called Seaworthy that you can probably access through boatus.com. The last issue had some warnings and case histories about winter storage, most importantly, ice freezing within an open seacock. Hopefully, your marina is using 'ice eaters' to keep the water around your hull liquid. Not that your hull would crush, a la Shackleton in the Antarctic, but I think the sharp edges of the ice can damage the gelcoat or at least scrape away at the boot stripe. Good luck.
Tom - BoatUS insurance publishes a newsletter called Seaworthy that you can probably access through boatus.com. The last issue had some warnings and case histories about winter storage, most importantly, ice freezing within an open seacock. Hopefully, your marina is using 'ice eaters' to keep the water around your hull liquid. Not that your hull would crush, a la Shackleton in the Antarctic, but I think the sharp edges of the ice can damage the gelcoat or at least scrape away at the boot stripe. Good luck.
Congrats on the boat!
Hey Tom - Great choice... you'll love the C36! I'll leave the ice advice to others in the know, but I'll bet you are REALLY looking forward to spring this year! Welcome aboard, Trevor
Hey Tom - Great choice... you'll love the C36! I'll leave the ice advice to others in the know, but I'll bet you are REALLY looking forward to spring this year! Welcome aboard, Trevor
cheap insurance
Hi Tom If your marina does not provide bubblers I would definatly invest in one they are basicaly fans that move the warmer water up and around your boat it would be a shame to find damage in the spring .living in michigan I have witnessed the distructive power of ice . why take a chance' good luck hope for a early thaw TimHuss ,twentynickels
Hi Tom If your marina does not provide bubblers I would definatly invest in one they are basicaly fans that move the warmer water up and around your boat it would be a shame to find damage in the spring .living in michigan I have witnessed the distructive power of ice . why take a chance' good luck hope for a early thaw TimHuss ,twentynickels
Been there
Hi Tom, I'm just a little south of you in Solomons. Last winter was my first as a boat owner, and I panicked a bit when I saw how thick the ice was getting at the docks. But like you, I looked around me and no one else seemed to be very worried. My marina's owner lives on the property, his boat is docked next to mine and he wasn't worried either. Just to make myself feel better I went and chopped ice away from the boat every few days. The only damage that occurred was the anti-fouling paint being rubbed off my rudder. (I have ablative paint) No damage to the rudder, but it did allow a couple barnacles to get a foothold there during last summer. I figured I was in for more of the same this year, but the owner was nice enough to put a bubbler in between his boat and mine. It's very effective; the water is stirred up and ice-free around his boat, mine, and the boat on my other side. It seems that it isn't quite necessary, but for a couple hundred bucks you can get one of your own at West Marine, Boater's World, etc. It's a bit expensive, but if it buys you peace of mind for the winter I'd say it's worth it.
Hi Tom, I'm just a little south of you in Solomons. Last winter was my first as a boat owner, and I panicked a bit when I saw how thick the ice was getting at the docks. But like you, I looked around me and no one else seemed to be very worried. My marina's owner lives on the property, his boat is docked next to mine and he wasn't worried either. Just to make myself feel better I went and chopped ice away from the boat every few days. The only damage that occurred was the anti-fouling paint being rubbed off my rudder. (I have ablative paint) No damage to the rudder, but it did allow a couple barnacles to get a foothold there during last summer. I figured I was in for more of the same this year, but the owner was nice enough to put a bubbler in between his boat and mine. It's very effective; the water is stirred up and ice-free around his boat, mine, and the boat on my other side. It seems that it isn't quite necessary, but for a couple hundred bucks you can get one of your own at West Marine, Boater's World, etc. It's a bit expensive, but if it buys you peace of mind for the winter I'd say it's worth it.
Glenn, I've seen the PBS production of the
Shackleton story. His heroism is right at the top with the bravest humans in all of history.
Shackleton story. His heroism is right at the top with the bravest humans in all of history.
thanks to all
Thanks to all for your responses. The ice is melting, hopefully for good, and spring is getting closer . . . . I checked on the boat last weekend and everything looked fine. I plan to haul next winter but will probably alternate after that, and will definitely look into a bubbler, just for peace of mind. Cheers!
Thanks to all for your responses. The ice is melting, hopefully for good, and spring is getting closer . . . . I checked on the boat last weekend and everything looked fine. I plan to haul next winter but will probably alternate after that, and will definitely look into a bubbler, just for peace of mind. Cheers!
Been alternatiing for years
I leave the boat in the water every other year not out of laziness or saving money (one doesn't) but because I hope there wil be a few decent weekends even in January when one might go for a sail. Not last year nor this. The ice is not a problem, salt water ice anyway. Windowpane freshwater ice can cut up your gelcoat. The salt water stuff gets slushy first and actually builds a barrier on the hull. That combined with 8 foot tides prevents any damage. As Seaworthy says, the main problem can be weight of snow that pushes above the waterline through hulls below water level where water in them may freeze and break them. Then your boat sinks. So check the boat after snow falls.
I leave the boat in the water every other year not out of laziness or saving money (one doesn't) but because I hope there wil be a few decent weekends even in January when one might go for a sail. Not last year nor this. The ice is not a problem, salt water ice anyway. Windowpane freshwater ice can cut up your gelcoat. The salt water stuff gets slushy first and actually builds a barrier on the hull. That combined with 8 foot tides prevents any damage. As Seaworthy says, the main problem can be weight of snow that pushes above the waterline through hulls below water level where water in them may freeze and break them. Then your boat sinks. So check the boat after snow falls.
Just Passed World's Fair Marina
I just past the worlds fair marina friday afternoon on the way to a wedding in manhatten and was surprised to see boats still in water,everything on long island is frozen,all the bays and creeks and did a lot of damage to docks all over,this is the winter from hell. Hopeing for early spring. nick
I just past the worlds fair marina friday afternoon on the way to a wedding in manhatten and was surprised to see boats still in water,everything on long island is frozen,all the bays and creeks and did a lot of damage to docks all over,this is the winter from hell. Hopeing for early spring. nick
At World's Fair Marina
more people seem to have left their boats in the water this year than usual. Possibly because the area left of r land storage is a lot less than it used to be. We hauled this year, at College Point Yacht Club. And it sure has been the winter from hell. First time I have seen sea smoke on the East River in many years.
more people seem to have left their boats in the water this year than usual. Possibly because the area left of r land storage is a lot less than it used to be. We hauled this year, at College Point Yacht Club. And it sure has been the winter from hell. First time I have seen sea smoke on the East River in many years.
Welcome to the Catalina Family
Your boat will be ok. Just make sure all your Thru hulls are closed. Also have the proper size plug next to the thru hull, just in case. Have you registered your boat at the WWW.catalina36.com international site?
Your boat will be ok. Just make sure all your Thru hulls are closed. Also have the proper size plug next to the thru hull, just in case. Have you registered your boat at the WWW.catalina36.com international site?
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