This is my first year with the 240, and for keeping a boat in a slip. I am trilled with both; however, from everything I have read I realize that I must pull my boat out of the water before it freezes. Does anyone know if that means before it dips to 31 degrees for 5 minutes of outside air temp or are we talking 20 degrees for 24 hours or more? I would really like to get in a few more weeks of sailing and it looks like that might be possible if it's the later. Thanks for your thoughts/experiences. Don
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No worries
Don't know where you are, but you've got time. The ballast tank will need a multi-day deep freeze to ruin your day. I've left my 240 in the water until Thanksgiving to years in a row and have had no problems, even with a couple 25 degree nights thrown in for good measure. Dealer has told me as well, get it out before "real" winter kicks in, but don't worry about the odd freeze followed by a warmish day.
Don't know where you are, but you've got time. The ballast tank will need a multi-day deep freeze to ruin your day. I've left my 240 in the water until Thanksgiving to years in a row and have had no problems, even with a couple 25 degree nights thrown in for good measure. Dealer has told me as well, get it out before "real" winter kicks in, but don't worry about the odd freeze followed by a warmish day.
Water Ballast Freezing
Thanks. This has been the "family baby", so I really appreciate all the imput I can get. Don
Thanks. This has been the "family baby", so I really appreciate all the imput I can get. Don
Ambient Temp.
The party line from Hunter is that the hull will "insulate" the ballast from the warmth of the water beneath the boat - it's the air temp you gotta watch. It takes a while to freeze several hundred gallons of water, but keep in mind, if the ballast tank freezes, the boat goes to the chopper.
The party line from Hunter is that the hull will "insulate" the ballast from the warmth of the water beneath the boat - it's the air temp you gotta watch. It takes a while to freeze several hundred gallons of water, but keep in mind, if the ballast tank freezes, the boat goes to the chopper.
Personal experience
I've owned a 260 for 2 years and counting. I keep it in a slip on a lake just south of Oklahoma City. First winter I pulled it since I had not anticipated year-round berthing when I purchased it, and needed to get some bottom paint. I debated the second year, but left it in the water. We had some pretty cool weather this past winter, but not a problem with freezing (knock on teak). This year, the lake is down 8 feet and I probably couldn't get it out even if I wanted to, so it looks like we are rolling the dice this year too. The insurance policy may be a cabin heater that I purchased late last year, and can set on "freeze protection" to limit the current draw. Didn't have it in time to use last year, so it may not be necessary. On the other hand, it will periodically get down into the single digits in that part of Oklahoma.....
I've owned a 260 for 2 years and counting. I keep it in a slip on a lake just south of Oklahoma City. First winter I pulled it since I had not anticipated year-round berthing when I purchased it, and needed to get some bottom paint. I debated the second year, but left it in the water. We had some pretty cool weather this past winter, but not a problem with freezing (knock on teak). This year, the lake is down 8 feet and I probably couldn't get it out even if I wanted to, so it looks like we are rolling the dice this year too. The insurance policy may be a cabin heater that I purchased late last year, and can set on "freeze protection" to limit the current draw. Didn't have it in time to use last year, so it may not be necessary. On the other hand, it will periodically get down into the single digits in that part of Oklahoma.....
Freezing Ballast Tank
From the Hunter 260 Manual: "The temperature of the surrounding water will not (because of the insulating qualities of the balsa core) prevent the tank from freezing when the air temperatures go below the freezing point" "Heating the interior of the boat is not recommended by Hunter Marine because of safety and reliability considerations"
From the Hunter 260 Manual: "The temperature of the surrounding water will not (because of the insulating qualities of the balsa core) prevent the tank from freezing when the air temperatures go below the freezing point" "Heating the interior of the boat is not recommended by Hunter Marine because of safety and reliability considerations"
Point well taken
"Heating the interior of the boat is not recommended by Hunter Marine because of safety and reliability considerations" Which is one of the reasons I didn't use the heater last time. However, unless we get enough water back in the lake to be able to get the boat on the trailer without dropping the trailer off the end of the ramp, it may be necessary. Pretty sure I won't sleep well at night as long as the heater is plugged in on the boat berthed 60 mi away.
"Heating the interior of the boat is not recommended by Hunter Marine because of safety and reliability considerations" Which is one of the reasons I didn't use the heater last time. However, unless we get enough water back in the lake to be able to get the boat on the trailer without dropping the trailer off the end of the ramp, it may be necessary. Pretty sure I won't sleep well at night as long as the heater is plugged in on the boat berthed 60 mi away.
Water Ballast Freezing at what temp?
Deciding when to pull the boat for the season is a crap shoot in most years. Many people in the Great lakes only sail from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I think the more important question is how much do you like standing in 40 degree water trying to get the boat on the trailer? Ever tried to pull a boat when the ramp is starting to freeze? How much do you like cleaning the boat when it's 60 degrees?
Deciding when to pull the boat for the season is a crap shoot in most years. Many people in the Great lakes only sail from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I think the more important question is how much do you like standing in 40 degree water trying to get the boat on the trailer? Ever tried to pull a boat when the ramp is starting to freeze? How much do you like cleaning the boat when it's 60 degrees?
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