If I want a good scare, I just read a winter sailing thread.
Or an anchoring thread.
I've kept my boat in the water mid-Chesapeake for 30 years. Yup, freezes some and sometimes snows a lot, but never any damage. Just got to think it through. I did have damage on the hard once, from snow load and poor blocking by the yard (they made it right).
Yes, I have seen boats go down due to frozen scuppers; as Mainesail stated, they typically freeze well above the waterline, due to snow melt and re-freeze. I wouldn't bet on a sump pump doing anything, for the same reason; waste of time, I think. A sump pump in the bilge is a different matter, as it is out of the weather and is generally just above freezing because of the water.
Covering the cockpit seems like the best bet. Our cockpit is covered by a large bimini and the scuppers are above the water line. Still, they have frozen and held considerable water in the cockpit; just not enough to cause harm.
Or an anchoring thread.
I've kept my boat in the water mid-Chesapeake for 30 years. Yup, freezes some and sometimes snows a lot, but never any damage. Just got to think it through. I did have damage on the hard once, from snow load and poor blocking by the yard (they made it right).
Yes, I have seen boats go down due to frozen scuppers; as Mainesail stated, they typically freeze well above the waterline, due to snow melt and re-freeze. I wouldn't bet on a sump pump doing anything, for the same reason; waste of time, I think. A sump pump in the bilge is a different matter, as it is out of the weather and is generally just above freezing because of the water.
Covering the cockpit seems like the best bet. Our cockpit is covered by a large bimini and the scuppers are above the water line. Still, they have frozen and held considerable water in the cockpit; just not enough to cause harm.