Winter in the water or out

Bill Roosa · Dec 20, 2010

and as usual, it depends

Mostly the bay does not freeze so you don't need to worry about that, if she does (monitor TPL water temps on weather radio or the web site) just use a bubbler.
The real issue is cost, when I leave my boat in I don't have to pay dry land storage fees, your mileage may vary.

richk · Dec 20, 2010

your choice in mid-Chesapeake, IMHO...

Plankton said:
I sail in the mid Chesapeake bay. Over the years I've heard numerous arguments over whether it's better to haul a boat during the winter or leave it in the water. I've come to the conclusion that each has its advantages and disadvantages and seems to be a case of "six of one, half dozen of the other." Just wanted to see if others have come to the same conclusion I have. Hope all have a Merry Christmas!

I sail in the mid chessie as well...I prefer to haul every other year...less expensive than every year and gives me a chance to perform out of water maintenance. Many of my friends (in same mid-bay marina) stay in over winter and just do a short haul for bottom prep and painting plus other maintanance. Whenever my boat's in water over winter I worry...about snow loads, through hulls. Last winter it was especially difficult to get to the boat b/c of the horrendous snow in Feb.

Good news is, at least where I haul, they haven't raised the rates in 3 years b/c the economy sucks.

Warren Milberg · Dec 20, 2010

Lots of stuff written on this issue. I don't think the main concern is saving money by staying in the water over the winters here on the Chesapeake (or anywhere where there is real potential for a solid freeze and/or multiple feet of snow, i.e., last winter). To me, the main concern is concern. That is, if the weather turns really crappy here, how concerned -- or not -- will you be about your boat? In my case, I have fewer concerns about my boat being on the hard, covered with tarps, than I would if it stayed in the water. A very simple calculation that it's worth it to -- to me -- for the boat to be on the hard.

Shooter II · Dec 20, 2010

I leave her in and do a short haul in the spring.
Went down to see her yesterday following the debacle in Dallas.
The marina owner said they had one sink at the dock because
the thru hull had not been closed properly.
My boat was doing good and there was only minor ice in the marina.
Long as the plumbing and engine are taken care of, should be ok.

Barnacle Bill · Dec 20, 2010

In Minnesota and Wisconsin it gets a lot colder than it does on the good old Chessy. And bubbling boats over the winter is not an uncommon thing. One marina charges the same to leave the boat in the water as it does to haul it and store it on land. They put in the bubblers and watch it over the winter, so it is their responsibility. But, there are rules. One is, no unattended heaters or motors operating in the boat. One year a heater started fire to one boat and it burned up several other boats on the dock. A trucker saw the fire in the middle of the night and called 911. Other issues are frozen seacocks. There are, in many, weep holes plugs that can be opened after the seacock is closed to let any water out so it doesn't freeze and crack the through hull allowing the boat to sink. Otherwise you want to close the seacocks and put antifreeze in them. But, like I said, it is common in frozen areas, so not to be feared.

Ed H · Dec 20, 2010

Bill Roosa said:
(monitor TPL water temps on weather radio or the web site)
.

Bill- Would you please clarify what this means ? Thanks. Ed H

Salty · Dec 20, 2010

There are advantages and disadvantages of hauling out or leaving in but I think the advantages of hauling out outweighs that of leaving it in. Of course your latitude will play a major role. I haul out every year because it gives me the opportunity to do a lot of maintenance (clean & repaint the bottom etc).

jsalley · Dec 20, 2010

I've started hauling/storing on the hard every other year, more to facilitate maintenance/upgrades, and staying in the water with a spring short haul to clean the bottom, change zincs, and wax topsides in alternate years (though all those things could be done in the water after it warms up). It hasn't frozen in the lower Bay in quite a while - though having said that, it now probably will!

Ed Schenck · Dec 20, 2010

Ed, I think Bill's reference to TPL weather is to check this website: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=tplm2 .

Ketoj · Dec 20, 2010

Hands down, winter in-water is the choice for me

I currently winter in-water here in Canada and wouldnt change a thing. Before coming here 9 years ago I wintered in-water in Maine and then Mystic Connecticut for another 10 years. I'm a big fan and see the advantages as steching the bottom paint for two seasons with a quick haul and pressure wash in the spring. Having the boat warm and accessable for those projects you've been putting off is also a big benefit. Further and perhaps most importantly is the ability to spend some time at the marina with friends for those occasional "dock meetings". It's also a great getaway for the weekend and allows you to stay connceted to your pride and joy while forgeting those household chores. As for cost, I find its not much more expensive than on-the-hard. Yes, it does take a little more time to shrinkwrap in-water but hey, any time at the marina is good, right? Here's a couple of pics from a previous winter. Note that I'm standing on the ice taking a picture of the bow! Any questions please ask.

Jerry

Ed H · Dec 20, 2010

Ed Schenck said:
Ed, I think Bill's reference to TPL weather is to check this website: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=tplm2 .

Thanks Ed S. Great site to bookmark. Ed H.

jimmcgee · Dec 20, 2010

It's about peace of mind for me...

I stayed in the first couple of winters on LBI, but the winter storms on the bay can be pretty tough and there were a couple of occasions where there was damage to the marina (never my boat though). I worried a lot about her when the weather kicked up and I was going down every second or third weekend to check things over. BTW, icy docks are nothing to laugh at.

This is my second year hauling out and I sleep better. YMMV, you're probably in a more protected area than I was on the lower Barnegat Bay.

Jim

Buck420 · Dec 21, 2010

Ketoj said:
I currently winter in-water here in Canada and wouldnt change a thing. Before coming here 9 years ago I wintered in-water in Maine and then Mystic Connecticut for another 10 years. I'm a big fan and see the advantages as steching the bottom paint for two seasons with a quick haul and pressure wash in the spring. Having the boat warm and accessable for those projects you've been putting off is also a big benefit. Further and perhaps most importantly is the ability to spend some time at the marina with friends for those occasional "dock meetings". It's also a great getaway for the weekend and allows you to stay connceted to your pride and joy while forgeting those household chores. As for cost, I find its not much more expensive than on-the-hard. Yes, it does take a little more time to shrinkwrap in-water but hey, any time at the marina is good, right? Here's a couple of pics from a previous winter. Note that I'm standing on the ice taking a picture of the bow! Any questions please ask.

Jerry

Jerry,

Thank you for bringing me inside, I was FREEZING out there on the ice !

Winter in the water or out

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