winter storage, what to do???

[montaydan]

I have a 2007 Beneteau 373, I dock at Sandusky Ohio. Last winter I stored inside, which was costly and made me very nervous when the boat yard stepped the mast. I want to keep my boat in excellent condition and I have been entertaining keeping her outside this winter with a custom canvas tarp protecting her from the elements. My question is, will the wind and cold cause undue stress on the rigging/boat if kept outside? Should I continue to step the mast every season and store indoors?

Any and all opinions welcome…Thank you

 

[DougM]

I have a Beneteau 323 which has been stored outside under a custom canvas with the rig up for the last 3 winters. Other than a small rip in the canvas last winter caused by a sharp corner on the end of the boom, no problems.

We make sure that winterizing is done thoroughly regardless of whether the boat is stored inside or out.

There is discussion from time to time as to whether it is better for a boat to sit outside in the winter, properly covered, or to be stored indoors.

My cover is well fitted, uses the boom as a ridge and is secured below the stanchions. The boat sits on a cradle so it is fairly secure. Luckily, in my storage spot I a reasonably well protected from the north and west by a building wall and a high retaining wall.

I do go indoors (unheated) with the mast down about every third year, more to double check rig connections, change halyards, check masthead electronics etc. I agree that it is cost prohibitive to go indoors because of the added cost per square foot, and the cost to have the mast taken down and restepped.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

My son stores his boat in heated storage (in Wisconsin) for less than it costs me to store mast-up outside here in RI - given you are in Ohio, I would only suspect your costs would mirror that of WI and therefore based solely on $$$, storing it inside seems like a no-brainer.

If you do store mast-up outside, recognize that the coef of expansion of aluminum (the mast) and steel (the rigging) is such that the rigging will contract in cold less than the mast resulting in an inherent loosening of the rigging as temp decreases.

 

[Ducati]

Hi

My suggestion is to always unstep the mast. That way you can inspect it and extend the life of it by removing the tension. When a mast is left up all winter the strong winds cause vibration thus creating wear on all metal to metal connections = shortened life of the rigging. Before you put up the mast in the spring apply a film of lithium grease to all screws etc. That way you avoid any issue of screws getting stuck forever due to corrosion-oxidation. If you are planning on keeping the boat for more than 10 years then invest in a good cover otherwise shrink wrap it. After it is closed up for the winter remember to get every drop of water out of the bilge and open all windows + compannionway to eliminate the possibility of moisture and mold. Once mold gets into the boat it is very difficult to remove and it will become an annual battle. Pay a professional to winterize the motor / water system because it's just not worth it to do it yourself.

Pray for snow! Just kidding.

 

[coba]

We recently brought our 411 from South Carolina to WI. It will have its 1st winter on the hard and frozen. Looking for a used winter cover if anyone has one or knows of a good resourse for one. Maybe some lucky person is going the oppisite way we were, and woun't need theirs anymore.
We will have to store with our mast up. But having just shipped the boat north and giving it a good inspection at that time, i am not worried for a few years.