We're leaving our boat up north this winter (Connecticut) for the first time. Would like to know the optimum method of storage. We will be storing the boat on the hard. Is a shrink-wrap the way to go? What about mold? Also, the mast - the boat is two years old (heavy use), should it be taken out? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
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options
Here are your storage options starting with the most expensive to the least: 1)Inside heated mast down 2)Inside cold mast down 3)Outside mast down 4)Outside mast up Your budget will dictate your choice, unless money is no object. If you have mast work to do, you should go mast down, if not, why bother?
Here are your storage options starting with the most expensive to the least: 1)Inside heated mast down 2)Inside cold mast down 3)Outside mast down 4)Outside mast up Your budget will dictate your choice, unless money is no object. If you have mast work to do, you should go mast down, if not, why bother?
no easy answers
For sure, take the boat out of the water. I left mine in once and regretted it. I spent the entire winter worrying about the boat. I shrinkwrap mine, but it's expensive and may not make much difference. Face it, you leave your boat out in the weather during the season, what difference does it make when it's cold outside? There are lots of horror stories about getting snow & ice in the cockpit, but I think they are mostly urban legends
I still wrap it, but I have my doubts. Some people shrinkwrap their own boat. It's supposedly not that difficult and the only special tool required is a (big) heat gun. There's a place in Branford that will store your boat indoors. It's expensive, but some swear by it. If Brewers will just raise their rates one more time, I'll be trying to garage mine, too. I have the mast unstepped. I like to inspect the rigging up close and have the riggers inspect it, too. My hope is that the swage will break as they are stepping/unstepping the mast, not when I tack the boat. Lots of people leave theirs on, though. I just read Steve's answer, and I think it's about the best boiling down of options I've seen. I would add the obvious, that indoor storage would be the ticket if you had any kind of off-season project plans.
For sure, take the boat out of the water. I left mine in once and regretted it. I spent the entire winter worrying about the boat. I shrinkwrap mine, but it's expensive and may not make much difference. Face it, you leave your boat out in the weather during the season, what difference does it make when it's cold outside? There are lots of horror stories about getting snow & ice in the cockpit, but I think they are mostly urban legends
I still wrap it, but I have my doubts. Some people shrinkwrap their own boat. It's supposedly not that difficult and the only special tool required is a (big) heat gun. There's a place in Branford that will store your boat indoors. It's expensive, but some swear by it. If Brewers will just raise their rates one more time, I'll be trying to garage mine, too. I have the mast unstepped. I like to inspect the rigging up close and have the riggers inspect it, too. My hope is that the swage will break as they are stepping/unstepping the mast, not when I tack the boat. Lots of people leave theirs on, though. I just read Steve's answer, and I think it's about the best boiling down of options I've seen. I would add the obvious, that indoor storage would be the ticket if you had any kind of off-season project plans.Cover mine.
I cover my old('79) Hunter, this will be my fifth winter. My plan is to unstep every fourth season and I did that last winter. My main concern is water lying in the portlights and then freezing. I also get more seasons without revarnishing teak since it is covered for five months. I use four buckets with colanders(sp?) full of calcium chloride around the boat. There is no moisture on any of the surfaces when I go aboard for winter projects. In our marina on Lake Erie I would guess that 80% leave the stick up and 50% cover their boats. That 50% does not include the ones who tie a blue tarp over the cockpit.
I cover my old('79) Hunter, this will be my fifth winter. My plan is to unstep every fourth season and I did that last winter. My main concern is water lying in the portlights and then freezing. I also get more seasons without revarnishing teak since it is covered for five months. I use four buckets with colanders(sp?) full of calcium chloride around the boat. There is no moisture on any of the surfaces when I go aboard for winter projects. In our marina on Lake Erie I would guess that 80% leave the stick up and 50% cover their boats. That 50% does not include the ones who tie a blue tarp over the cockpit.
Leave it Open
I am a "Blue Tarp" man, like most of my friends. I cover it with tarps so I can work on it all winter. The mast is unsteped every 4 years and the standing and running rigging is replaced. The main thing is making sure that everything is drained and dry, holding tank, water tank. Don't forget your engin. I make sure that the cooling system is dry and I change the oil the day before she is hauled. The battries seem to do OK over the winter, without any special attention.
I am a "Blue Tarp" man, like most of my friends. I cover it with tarps so I can work on it all winter. The mast is unsteped every 4 years and the standing and running rigging is replaced. The main thing is making sure that everything is drained and dry, holding tank, water tank. Don't forget your engin. I make sure that the cooling system is dry and I change the oil the day before she is hauled. The battries seem to do OK over the winter, without any special attention.
Do not leave batteries on the boat
I always that my batteries off the boat and store them in my garage where they won't freeze. Then once a month I will put the up an a battery charger.
I always that my batteries off the boat and store them in my garage where they won't freeze. Then once a month I will put the up an a battery charger.
Batteries
A fully charged battery will not freeze and will weather the winter with enough charge to keep it from freezing. An old battery will probably drain itself low and freeze, but chances are that battery would not make it through the next summer anyway. r.w.landau
A fully charged battery will not freeze and will weather the winter with enough charge to keep it from freezing. An old battery will probably drain itself low and freeze, but chances are that battery would not make it through the next summer anyway. r.w.landau
Storage in CT
I take the mast down every year (I always seem to find some work that needs doing) and have the boat shrink wrapped. I try and keep water from the deck in the winter to avoid the boating equivalent of potholes: water getting into cracks, freezing and expanding, etc. With older boats where there are more flaws in the fiberglass or fittings, I think this is especially important. Shrink wrapping is expensive, but I just can't seem to find the time to build a frame so that I can use a tarp. My marina will put a door into the shrink wrap for an extra $25. I also buy a couple of those hanging things that absorb moisture, and I take out all of the cushions and anything else moisture or temperature sensitive. I also my battery home and put it on the charger every month or so.
I take the mast down every year (I always seem to find some work that needs doing) and have the boat shrink wrapped. I try and keep water from the deck in the winter to avoid the boating equivalent of potholes: water getting into cracks, freezing and expanding, etc. With older boats where there are more flaws in the fiberglass or fittings, I think this is especially important. Shrink wrapping is expensive, but I just can't seem to find the time to build a frame so that I can use a tarp. My marina will put a door into the shrink wrap for an extra $25. I also buy a couple of those hanging things that absorb moisture, and I take out all of the cushions and anything else moisture or temperature sensitive. I also my battery home and put it on the charger every month or so.
I've tried all systems
I have blue tarped and left the batteries on board. I've shrink wrapped and done indoor storage. Shrink wrap kept the boat the cleanest. Indoor was probably the safest and of course kept rain snow and wind off the boat. Blue tarp was OK I guess. I usually pull tha batteries and charge up once a month, but it requires little and would probably hold up fine on the boat all winter without charging (full charge last day of the season). Joe R.
I have blue tarped and left the batteries on board. I've shrink wrapped and done indoor storage. Shrink wrap kept the boat the cleanest. Indoor was probably the safest and of course kept rain snow and wind off the boat. Blue tarp was OK I guess. I usually pull tha batteries and charge up once a month, but it requires little and would probably hold up fine on the boat all winter without charging (full charge last day of the season). Joe R.
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