Why pull boat in winter versus leave in water ?

capejt · Oct 4, 2014

I generally alternated between in the water and on the hard. Yes, it is cheaper to leave it in the water, but if you're going to have to do the bottom in the Spring, you still have to pay for hauling. Another point is that the boat will be safer on stands in the yard rather than at the dock during winter storms and the occasional hurricane (don't ask how I know). Something else that I heard, though never researched or proved, I heard somewhere that it's a good idea to let the boat "dry out" from time to time. I think it might have something to do with the formation of blisters.
If you use good quality bottom paint, and applied it properly, you can sometimes get up to three years in the water.
IMHO, alternating years of in and out is your all around best bet.

Bill Roosa · Oct 4, 2014

Check the brown wooly worm for your winter weather forecast. this year he is indicating a mild winter. If it "freezes the bay over" then you need to have some sort of ice mitigation strategy for your slip. Some marinas do this for you, some don't. I use the 3 winters in and one out of the water method. Fouling on the CB is not that bad so your bottom paint can be pushed 3 years ($$$) between haulouts. YMMV

BioAndy · Oct 4, 2014

I have done both wet and dry winter storage over the years with several boats in NY. If money were no object, I would pull the boat every season. Not sure if there was much savings by leaving it in when I factor in all the additional wear, tear and repairs from storm damage and piling bashing. I live 1/2 mile from my boat and can check it daily if needed. Granted, NY winters are more sever than MD, I just think it's a rough ride thru the winter with the boat in the water if you have an alternative.
Andy

thinwater · Oct 4, 2014

I prefer to stay in. My reasons:

* I'm a little further south on the Chesapeake, and on a light winter I can sail all winter. In a bad winter I might lose 1 month.

* I get less damage in the water. No blocking dents, no strain on the keel (compression vs tension, the boat stays warmer (cabin won't go below ~ 25F in the water), equipment is not out-of-use so long, less corrosion, less mold, and money saved, of course. I had several thousnad dollars worth of damge one winter due to improper blocking; the yard paid-up, but it was still a drag. I have NEVER had damage in the water.

* Safety is probably equal IF you visit the boat. I've seen a lot of wind and cover damage on the hard too. Entire rows of boats blown over. Since there is no difference in insurance, whether I haul or stay, I figure the companies have considered this.

* I'd be careful if it was an area known for moving ice. The locals will know.

* Ice melters are cheapish. Get one with a thermostat. That said, I have one but have not used it in 10 years; thin ice is not a danger. On the Bohemia, I would get a melter (that's is nearly fresh, Deale is 30% seawater).

I haul every 2 years for about 2 weeks only; why loose sailing time? If hauling and storage were free I would STILL stay in the water. I nice calm January day can be a treasure, when cabin fever is running high; A few scotters on the water and few boats.

Some folks say they haul so they can work on projects, but the truth is most projects require paint or adhesives and temperatures in the 70-80s, so they end up not launching until early summer. Ick. I haul mid-summer, work fast, and enjoy the spring and fall.

Ian McGain · Oct 5, 2014

Here is your reason to winterize and go on the hard. Tolchester Marina 2004

Crazy Dave Condon · Oct 5, 2014

One thing to check on but I fear this winter will be rough will all the signs being seen and early frosts in the mountains. Generally it will mean waters in the northern part of the Cheasapeake will see ice this winter. A few friends of mine, dealers, are fearing the same thing this winter.

Mike Culik · Oct 5, 2014

I'm just down the road from you and I will be in the water again this winter. Normally a good time to get cabin projects done

ITMaster · Oct 6, 2014

I am way far south of you. I leave the boat in the water all year long and haul out to clean and replenish bottom pain and conduct other work that can not be done in the water.

We sail all winter long down here in the south end of the bay. We go out and spend Thanksgiving and have a Turkey and all the trimmings on Thanksgiving, spend Christmas on board and New Years also. There have been days during Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb when the day temps get up in the mid 70's and when I am out there then, the entire water is all mine since nobody else is out there. We have heat on board and find it very nice and cozy and a very special time of the year to be on the water.

BobT · Oct 6, 2014

ice & snow & blisters & mold

Spent 2008 thru 2012 seasons in the Bohemia. Most of them saw significant ice for some period of time. I hauled every year.
If you're close enough to go clear snow off the boat when we get a big one, the yard has good bubblers and someone will check your lines weekly, and the boat has barrier coat or new enough to resist blistering, and you can get enough air through it to fight condensation, then maybe you can not worry too much. I would still want to winterize the engine & water systems, so I think the casual mid-winter outing is not as carefree as it is further south.

RichH · Oct 6, 2014

This year is again shaping up to be a quite cold winter on the Chesapeake with probably again of lots of ice. On the upper eastern shore, when the bay is thickly frozen, its not uncommon to have huge flows of drifting ice choke the harbors and creeks, especially after the NW'er winter gales.

The reason I dont store my boat in the water on the Upper Chesapeake is that during wintertime storms, power is easily lost ... and that includes power to the 'bubblers'. If there is a severe 'ice storm', the power may be out for more than a few days.
I can remember one winter season (2004?) that the upper bay froze so hard and thick, that the CG had to daily break open the shipping channel to the C&D Canal .... and of course the power was out several times for more than a few days. The ice breakup in late winter/early spring that year caused a lot of damage to boats and exposed dock bulkheads at Worton Cr.; last year the same ice damage occurred but not as severe.

Roverman · Oct 6, 2014

3 and out for me

Mike Culik said:
I'm just down the road from you and I will be in the water again this winter. Normally a good time to get cabin projects done

I live in Saint Inigoes (Southern Maryland) and keep my boat at my backyard pier. I prefer the 3 and out. I did the bottom this year and plan to keep it in. I work from home and can see the boat pretty much all day long.

DougM · Oct 6, 2014

Because I keep my boat considerably farther North than Chesapeake Bay (northern Michigan), the idea of leaving the boat in the water is completely out of the question. Between winter storms and ice thickness, there wouldn't be much left of the boat. Besides, storage on the hard is relatively inexpensive compared to Chesapeake Bay. I live in Virginia in the winter and I've seen some Nor'easters that could do some damage as well as heavy snow. I think despite the added cost, if my boat was here, I would still elect to haul it.

Cwoody · Oct 6, 2014

Hey Delaware,
I pay year round for the slip so I Started my year round in the water plan last spring with a two good coats of fresh bottom paint. I plan to pull out every other summer for a week and repaint when the boat yard rates drop.
Only problem last winter we had a lot of waterline paint scraped off due to ice on the West River. Had to pull this past spring to repaint the water line and start over.
Planning to leave in this winter but I now have a deicer ready to drop in the water should things start to freeze up again.

MLampner · Oct 6, 2014

I live a ways south about 20 miles as the crow flies and like you are a ways up my local river from the open bay. I personally favor 2 years in and 1 year out. We use ablative paint and usually even with the best some areas are showing through at the end of two years as we do clean the bottom at least twice a season. A note we alternate colors on the bottom so you can see the thin spots, blue one year red the next time etc.

When we have it on the hard we can do a better job of washing and waxing the topsides particularly near the water line than is possible with it in. I like to think this helps her appearance and keeps the chalking at bay. It is also a good time to check the condition of through hulls etc below the water line.

One of the other tasks we do when its on the hard is to drill a few weep holes in the rudder to let it dry out some. Given the age of my boat and most of the other Cherubini's if the rudder is original its waterlogged. While I haven't done it, and may this year it is also a good time to do things like drop the rudder and replace the stuffing box flax and for that matter servicing the shaft log as well.

As someone else pointed out make sure the marnia you use either provides some protection from being frozen in or do it yourself and also make sure you properly weatherrize the raw water feed for cooling.

The big plus of staying in is you are ready to go when ever the weather permits it. I have not, but know people who have decided it was worth reweatherizing the engine if we get a protracted January thaw and go out for a few days of winter sailing.

Captain Freddie · Oct 6, 2014

In & Out Every Other Year

Delawaredave said:
Newbie. 27 footer. Bohemia River, Chesapeake Bay, MD.

Seems most people in our marina pull boats - yet some leave in water.

Why would you leave boat in water? Cost? Convenience? Access?

We pulled our boat the first year, last year. But I'm always looking for "least expensive route."

Thanks!

At the South Jersey shore my 42 foot'er stays in her marina slip 1 year [ two summer seasons] and out the following winter. Its a matter of what I think is best for the boat and obviously of a very significant cost saving At my marina location, I have never experienced the water freezing and a good percentage of boats remain in the water. Granted there can be some risk, as there might be on the hard also, but I consider the risk quite manageable.

Then too on the hard it seems to get colder than on the water and I have had more problems with cracked heads, pumps deck stress cracks etc than when the boat is stored wet.

While winterizing the engine and systems cost is about the same, consider that in hauling the boat out the bottom is typically pressure washed clean which I'm guessing blasts off all that expensive multi-season antifouling paint that was applied the previous Spring; so I'd be forced to repaint the bottom storing the boat on the hard. ....needless to say what that costs to do and the cost of yard storage. [ I would note though that in the fall while in the water I hire a diver to clean the bottom and re-zinc]; but that's a nominal expense.

Captain Freddie
S/V Millipede
Catalina 42 Mark II

russell talisman · Oct 6, 2014

depends how protected your marina is if it receives big chop, unprotected, I would pull. I am in a safe lagoon and pull every 3 years if you use a good bottom paint and dive to clean the hull I do it twice a year change anode too its better for the boat less stress especially on a sail boat

kaptainkenny · Oct 6, 2014

Agree with Thinwater 100%. Hate to miss sailing opportunities over the winter and can still do all the winter projects in water. Pull it just when required for maintenance and repairs that must be done on the hard.

cb32863 · Oct 6, 2014

Obviously, this is a regional thing but.... here in MN. We have our reasons to haul the boat for the winter.

Stargazer3 · Oct 6, 2014

I've always felt a great temptation to leave my boat in the water for the winter - and have friends who do. That six-month chunk out of my year to have the boat hauled out and winterized hurts - not to mention all the money it "costs" me to have it just sitting there! But - our winters here can be brutal. I can't afford to be a "snow-bird" as much as I might like to be. It takes a special brand of hardiness to stay on your boat when it's below zero outside! Capt Bill on STARGAZER

Why pull boat in winter versus leave in water ?

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