This was my first season with my H23. I had a great summer learning the ups and downs of sailing. I am going to have to the boat pulled in the next couple of weeks. I am ucertain to have the mast removed from the boat or just keep it raised. I know all of the precautions to take in terms of sails, rigging, lines, and equipment. I purchased the boat in the middle of last winter. The previous owner had left the mast standing. There are many boats in my yard that do both. Some have their masts taken down and some leave them standing. My question is this: is it possible to damage the integrity of the boat while leaving the mast up? Does it damage the backstay, stanchions, or forestay? Any advice would be greatly apprecited.
winter storage....
- Thread starter bill20545
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mast
When the boat is in the water in the slip, the mast and the boat both take the pressure of the wind by healing. On a trailer the wind applies all of that pressure to the mast. If possible, take the mast down.
When the boat is in the water in the slip, the mast and the boat both take the pressure of the wind by healing. On a trailer the wind applies all of that pressure to the mast. If possible, take the mast down.
Leave it up if you like...
The standing rigging does take a heavy load under sail but unless you plan on leaving the sails up for the winter, the mast alone isn't going to catch enough wind to stress the rigging.
The standing rigging does take a heavy load under sail but unless you plan on leaving the sails up for the winter, the mast alone isn't going to catch enough wind to stress the rigging.
No appreciable wear on strain
As long as the rig is snug, there are no problems with leaving it up. The wind forces and temperature variations on the mast are negligible compared to the strength of the rig. David Lady Lillie
As long as the rig is snug, there are no problems with leaving it up. The wind forces and temperature variations on the mast are negligible compared to the strength of the rig. David Lady Lillie
Leave it up
The boat sat on the trailer with the mast up for three hurricanes and there was no damage. I did remove the boom, sails, bimini and tiller. It goes without saying that the outboard, fuel tank, battery and porta-potti should go home with you. Try to stop by and check on the boat about once a month or so just to make sure everything is OK and there are no leaks. Boat-pool with a couple of people to reduce the number of trips. Each person who goes checks on several boats, so you only have to a couple of times for the whole winter. Of course, dropping the mast does have one huge advantage. It's that much easier to hook up the trailer to your tow vehicle and head south... Peter h23 "Raven"
The boat sat on the trailer with the mast up for three hurricanes and there was no damage. I did remove the boom, sails, bimini and tiller. It goes without saying that the outboard, fuel tank, battery and porta-potti should go home with you. Try to stop by and check on the boat about once a month or so just to make sure everything is OK and there are no leaks. Boat-pool with a couple of people to reduce the number of trips. Each person who goes checks on several boats, so you only have to a couple of times for the whole winter. Of course, dropping the mast does have one huge advantage. It's that much easier to hook up the trailer to your tow vehicle and head south... Peter h23 "Raven"
leaving it up...
Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to be leaving the rig up. I live about 20 minutes from the marina where the boat will be stored. So I will be able to check on it quite frequently.
Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to be leaving the rig up. I live about 20 minutes from the marina where the boat will be stored. So I will be able to check on it quite frequently.
Cushions too..
In addition to the list of stuff Peter recommended that you take home with you, take your cushions too. Keep them in a warm dry place for the winter so they don't smell musty in the Spring.
In addition to the list of stuff Peter recommended that you take home with you, take your cushions too. Keep them in a warm dry place for the winter so they don't smell musty in the Spring.
Checking standing rigging with a tension gauge
The boat shape is different on the trailer compared to when it is floating on the water. Also the steel wire will shrink with colder temperatures. So periodically check and adjust the tension of the standing rigging after the boat is out of the water so that the rigging isn't too tight or too slack. - Kevin.
The boat shape is different on the trailer compared to when it is floating on the water. Also the steel wire will shrink with colder temperatures. So periodically check and adjust the tension of the standing rigging after the boat is out of the water so that the rigging isn't too tight or too slack. - Kevin.
Steel vs aluminum
Will the steel wires shrink more or shrink less than the aluminum mast? It can hit -40 here (C or F: take your pick - they're the same). ...RickM...
Will the steel wires shrink more or shrink less than the aluminum mast? It can hit -40 here (C or F: take your pick - they're the same). ...RickM...
Aluminum shrinks more
Check out the link below for the math. It looks to me like Aluminum shrinks/expands more than stainless steel in response to temperature changes. So your rig will be slightly loose in colder temperatures. -40!!! it must be August before ice out! Fair winds, Tom
Check out the link below for the math. It looks to me like Aluminum shrinks/expands more than stainless steel in response to temperature changes. So your rig will be slightly loose in colder temperatures. -40!!! it must be August before ice out! Fair winds, Tom
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