To pull or not to pull for the winter!!!

[Jerry Woznicki]

To pull or not to pull for winter? I have a 1986, 31' and would like to keep her in the water during the winter. The bottom has a good 6 month old paint job and I see no other reason to pull other then inspection. We have rather mild winters here in Del/MD and my marina has the bottom water fans to keep the ice away. Is every other season pulling an acceptable schedule?? Please advise of your opinions.

 

[G. Richard Stidger]

I haul out every other year in Rhode Island

For 15 years I have left my boat in the water every other year. Until 3 years ago I had a Morgan 30, now a Hunter 40.5.Ice is not an issue with me because of the tide range and the proximity to open water. We might get a slushy surface or some light skim ice but that's all.Be sure to check your rigging each year. This may mean taking a ride in a chair up the mast to check the shroud ends. I believe that the rigging, mast, and all take more of a beating with all the extra handling when taken up and down than just leaving it up.There is a LOT LESS work to decommission an recommission when the boat is in the water. You might want to short haul to wax your topsides and change your zinc.Be sure that someone checks your boat at least once per week and preferably every day or two. Use double docklines and chafe gear, and be sure that your boat is tied in such a way that it cannot touch anything. Winter-long use of fenders is NOT acceptable. They will leave marks that cannot be polished out. Be sure every thru-hull is closed and that the stuffing box is not leaking. Pump antifreeze into the inside of the seacocks and be sure to eliminate every pocket of water that can freeze. Pay particular attention to water trapped on top of closed seacocks.Winterize everything just as if you were hauling out.Have a nice winter.Rich

 

[Bob Zolczer]

I haul every other year in CT

I also store my boat wet over the winter. Our marina has a bubbler system instead of the propeller driven ice eaters. Just winterize everything as if you were storing it on the hard. Remember to change engine and transmission oil and top off the fuel tank (add fuel stabilizer also). I don't have a custom cover, so I jury rig some tarps. Others use shrink wrap. Ice forming around the boat will not cause problems unless it's solid to shore or another dock. I've had a ring of ice around my hull, broken all around by open water caused by the bubblers and have had no problems.