Store with mast up or down?

[David Smith]

I have a new 36 MKII on order and I need some advice on winter storage in Ohio. I have noticed many boats being stored with the mast up. The boat will be in the supplied steel cradle. Has anyone had a bad experience with the mast stored up?

 

[Ernie A]

Larger boats usually store with mast up.

Hi, Dave--Somewhere about 34' boats tend to be stored mast up. There are many variables, i.e., how tall, deck-stepped or keel-stepped, radar, etc.I've always laid up my boats (Hunter 34 and now Cat-42) with the mast up for at least a half dozen compelling reasons. First, it's less expensive. Second, much less of a bother. Third, less chance of damage to the mast if its left in the boat. (Most mast damage and hardware abuse takes place out of the boat.) Fourth, less wear and tear on the boat, especially if its keel-stepped. (Ever watch a yard crew step a big stick?) Fifth, wires can be damaged and need replacement -- only noted after the mast is up -- which may require unstepping and restepping. Sixth, if its keel-stepped, a waterproof seal of one year may turn out to leak the next time its stepped.I have a custom canvas cover so the lower fittings, boom, and turnbuckles are protected. The only downside is that a small amount of rain water finds its way into the bilge through mast openings.The only reason to unstep a big stick is to fix it. And, if it ain't broke...Cheers--Ernie AprilWindCatcher C-42 #618

 

[Gene Foraker]

Mast up?

Hi, David.Where in Ohio? We just got our new c-36 #1786 this Spring and have it at Battery Park in Sandusky.Compared to our old C-30 it looks much more complicated to pull and step the mast. I have always been against storing with the mast up, but might decide to alternate every other year or maybe pull the stick every third year for inspection and all. There has been so much new this year with the equipment, that I might let it slide this year. I'll be storing with new people this year, so will probably ask them.Gene

 

[David Smith]

Searching for Gene foraker

Please contact me at smithshi@sssnet.comWe are from Massillon, Ohio and used to boat our of Battery Park.We now boat out of Sandusky Harbor Marina just to the west of you.

 

[Chris Bloor]

Mast Up or Down?

David, when we bought our boat used, the owner had unstepped our keel-stepped mast for the winter. The marina kept postponing putting it in due to high winds -- if the wind catches a keel-stepped mast it will take out the inside of your cabin! We didn't get the boat delivered to our marina in Huron, Ohio until the middle of May that year -- guess it was a windy spring. This past winter, we stored it on land with the mast up -- no problems except the tape the shrinkwrapper used. No leaks, but permanent! I have to repaint where I scraped off paint using Scrubbies! Next year, we're going to bubble it with the mast up and make our own cover.Anyway, to answer your question, we're going to store it with the mast up except for every few years when we take it down for inspection. My concern was for the halyards, but they weathered the winter just fine -- we attach them to the deck hand holds, not the mast, so they don't slap themselves silly.By the way to you and Gene, we dock our boat at Harbor North Marina in Huron. Takes us a bit longer to get to the islands, but we don't have the weekend madness of Sandusky and Port Clinton. And we're a whole lot closer to Vermilion! We're also sailing within 15 minutes of leaving our dock! Anyway, if either of you would like to talk, you can reach us at bloorc@qn.net. Our boat's not there right now -- Bob took it to Chicago to do both Mack races. We'll be back in Lake Erie the week of the 26th for two weeks of cruising -- MY idea of a good time! The heck with this racing stuff! Ha!Good luck and happy sailing!Chris Bloor and Bob SheppardGreat Escape IIIC-42 #372

 

[Art Golden]

Mast Up go Down

I have a '93-36' and have wintered in Maryland with the mast up, sails removed and have had no problems.