For 30 years I have sailed on freshwater lakes. During the past two years I have enjoyed some saltwater sailing on a well protected bay. I have been offered a mooring there which would be very convenient. I have always trailered. Are there any issues I need to be concerned about? Is it going to harm the boat to be in saltwater for 4-5 months? It's 26 years old with original equipment, expected wear but in working order. What do I need in equipment and knowledge to anchor this boat in the river? I am sure I can find this info on my own but if anyone cares to jump in, please, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
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R.W.Landau
Steve
This is a question of what do you want. Sounds like you are migrating to salt water so you may as well do it. Boat Maintenance is still boat maintenance. Keep up on it and the boat should be fine. Anchoring.... it is an art. Go out some day and spend the day anchoring. Learn how to drop the hook is a small area, try differant scopes on the anchor line. feel the anchor line as is drags ( if it is shaking, it's dragging)and as it holds. It will tell you alot about the bottom you are anchoring into. The anchor, is what is easy to store. The Danforth is a good anchor and holds in many bottoms. If you size up abit from recommended you will not have to worry if you get caught in a nasty blow. I would say 8 to 13 # would work good for you. & to 1 scope. That is if itis 10 feet deep put out at least 70 feet of line. 3/8" would be a good size. 10 feet of 1/4" chain would help holding power also. First of all, SAIL! r.w.landau
This is a question of what do you want. Sounds like you are migrating to salt water so you may as well do it. Boat Maintenance is still boat maintenance. Keep up on it and the boat should be fine. Anchoring.... it is an art. Go out some day and spend the day anchoring. Learn how to drop the hook is a small area, try differant scopes on the anchor line. feel the anchor line as is drags ( if it is shaking, it's dragging)and as it holds. It will tell you alot about the bottom you are anchoring into. The anchor, is what is easy to store. The Danforth is a good anchor and holds in many bottoms. If you size up abit from recommended you will not have to worry if you get caught in a nasty blow. I would say 8 to 13 # would work good for you. & to 1 scope. That is if itis 10 feet deep put out at least 70 feet of line. 3/8" would be a good size. 10 feet of 1/4" chain would help holding power also. First of all, SAIL! r.w.landau
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Mooring
Steven - Mooring your boat out will not harm it but you will need to bottom paint it. You get more exposure to winds and wave action but if everything is stowed properly at the end of each sail that should be no problem. Mooring is great because it frees you up for shorter sails that wouldn't be worth it if you had to rig and unrig the boat. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Steven - Mooring your boat out will not harm it but you will need to bottom paint it. You get more exposure to winds and wave action but if everything is stowed properly at the end of each sail that should be no problem. Mooring is great because it frees you up for shorter sails that wouldn't be worth it if you had to rig and unrig the boat. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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steven
Thanks Guys!
Thanks guys, I did not know about bottom painting and the anchor information is just what I was looking for. Justin, you are absolutely right about taking more short sails, the trailering and tides at the launch site really limit my opportunities. Looks like I will accept the offer! Steven
Thanks guys, I did not know about bottom painting and the anchor information is just what I was looking for. Justin, you are absolutely right about taking more short sails, the trailering and tides at the launch site really limit my opportunities. Looks like I will accept the offer! Steven
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hbdement@pdq.net
Look for a better solution!
The best of both worlds would be to find a marina that would let you leave your boat on its trailer with the mast raised. I looked until I found one and enjoyed my best sailing experience for 3 years. There is no substitute for hopping aboard and taking off. Saltwater causes a lot of headaches that can be managed, but if you can find a way to eliminate all that bottom maintenance, it will be worth a lot. Bottom maintenance is not cheap, even if you do it all yourself. Paying such a marina with secure storage will be worth the money. I would strip most gear from my Rhodes 19, sails, rudder, motor and take it home. Left nothing of value to be stolen that I couldn't easily replace. I used a cover that didn't invite people to look for things to use on their boat. Daysailers are by far the most fun.
The best of both worlds would be to find a marina that would let you leave your boat on its trailer with the mast raised. I looked until I found one and enjoyed my best sailing experience for 3 years. There is no substitute for hopping aboard and taking off. Saltwater causes a lot of headaches that can be managed, but if you can find a way to eliminate all that bottom maintenance, it will be worth a lot. Bottom maintenance is not cheap, even if you do it all yourself. Paying such a marina with secure storage will be worth the money. I would strip most gear from my Rhodes 19, sails, rudder, motor and take it home. Left nothing of value to be stolen that I couldn't easily replace. I used a cover that didn't invite people to look for things to use on their boat. Daysailers are by far the most fun.
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Rod Johnson
Widgeons are great on a mooring!
I owned an O'Day Widgeon (1969 model) for 8 years, I sailed her on Buzzards Bay and kept her on a mooring near our cottage every Summer. My typical season was launch the first Saturday in May, haul the Saturday of Columbus Day Weekend. I used bottom paint (Interlux Fiberglass BottomKote) and would remove the centerboard each Fall (always seemed to leak a bit of water, would dry over the winter). In the Spring, I would paint the centerboard before putting it back in, and always rolled the boat upside down to paint. My Widgeon had the lever-operated CB, if you have the line-operated board..removal is not as easy, however you will get enough paint on it if you extend it all the way with the boat upside down. Be sure to paint the inside of the CB trunk. One "problem" with being on a mooring is that the Widgeon is not self-bailing, mine filled with rain in one bad storm and the wind blew her over. However, that was one storm in 7 full seasons! I always brought the sails ashore during the week (when I could not sail), and had a line on the rudder (stowed laying across the stern seat) "just-in-case". All loose gear that did not come ashore with me was stowed in a compartment that I added between the forward flotation tank/seat and the seat that the mast steps through. If you have not already purchased an anchor to use when you stop at a beach or to fish, or whatever, I'd suggest a 2 1/2 pound "Danforth" anchor, I used a 4#, but the 2 1/2# held fine. I assume that the mooring that you will use is all set, be sure that if it is a mushroom mooring, that it is at least a 50# or larger.
I owned an O'Day Widgeon (1969 model) for 8 years, I sailed her on Buzzards Bay and kept her on a mooring near our cottage every Summer. My typical season was launch the first Saturday in May, haul the Saturday of Columbus Day Weekend. I used bottom paint (Interlux Fiberglass BottomKote) and would remove the centerboard each Fall (always seemed to leak a bit of water, would dry over the winter). In the Spring, I would paint the centerboard before putting it back in, and always rolled the boat upside down to paint. My Widgeon had the lever-operated CB, if you have the line-operated board..removal is not as easy, however you will get enough paint on it if you extend it all the way with the boat upside down. Be sure to paint the inside of the CB trunk. One "problem" with being on a mooring is that the Widgeon is not self-bailing, mine filled with rain in one bad storm and the wind blew her over. However, that was one storm in 7 full seasons! I always brought the sails ashore during the week (when I could not sail), and had a line on the rudder (stowed laying across the stern seat) "just-in-case". All loose gear that did not come ashore with me was stowed in a compartment that I added between the forward flotation tank/seat and the seat that the mast steps through. If you have not already purchased an anchor to use when you stop at a beach or to fish, or whatever, I'd suggest a 2 1/2 pound "Danforth" anchor, I used a 4#, but the 2 1/2# held fine. I assume that the mooring that you will use is all set, be sure that if it is a mushroom mooring, that it is at least a 50# or larger.
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