Winter docking

[Robert Hoffman]

I have a slip with a yearly fee and want to leave my boat in water all winter. The lake freezes in January for about three weeks but bubblers keep the marina free of ice. Night temps can average around 22 degrees for about eight weeks. A few nights can be below O. What can be done about the water ballast freezing? Or is it wiser to pull the boat for the winter and how early must that be done? Can the ballast be emptied and then return the boat to its slip? Can antifreeze be mixed in the ballast and if so how much? Ideas or experiences welcome!

 

[Hank Bartosik]

Ice

Wow:What do you do to winterize your motor? Can't leave it in the water, how do you get it out of your boat. You can risk frost damage to it.Boat in water. Well the advantage of the Mac whatever the size is that it can be trailored, so take advantage of it and get it out of the water, cover it with double tarps, keep the water off the finish and thereby prevent hairline cracks around the edges and screw holes etc. I don't recommend sealed wrap as the rails make it difficult to prevent water pockets on it. Raise the mast high enough with 2>< 4's to make the 20ft >< 40 ft tarps create a large tent so that snow slides off easily and you can still crawl in during warm spells to clean, airate and repair during the winter months. Don't risk losing the craft in the water, it's a really neat boat.h.Bartosi@att.net

 

[John Allison]

More Winter Docking

I, too, am hoping to keep my Mac in the water through a hopefully brief potential freezing season. Plenty of people with non-water ballast boats do it in these parts, with great winter sailing success. Original author, or others, please reply here or to: kthomas@omnicast.net (John Allison) re: tips/hints on keeping the water ballast from freezing. Thanks!