Afloat all year

[warrenmarkus1]

Hello,
This year I kept my 30yr old GRP boat afloat on her swinging mooring on the River Crouch, with the intent of a brief lift out in spring 2009 for anti fouling, anode replacement, etc. A period of roughly 12months.

This has worked reasonably well, and I am now considering leaving her afloat for longer next time around - say 24 months, with a mid year scrub/anode check.

My boat has light infrequent use, hence the desire to 'extend' the season.

Apart from the potential osmois risk, which I probabally already have on a boat this age, I can't think of a good reason not to.

Has anyone else done this, and how did it go?

 

[MoodySabre]

I thought it was me that brought forth a cold cold winter by staying in. I can now share the blame /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif April lift out for a week will tell the state of play.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

i'll take a third of the blame too...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bikedaft]

we have kept ours in the water for near 30 years with the odd lift out eg 10 yearly survey, biannual scrub and antifoul (we're lazy) halcyon clipper 27 1973 no problems yet... (owned from new)

interestingly a surveyor thought that early gelcoats could be pretty porous to water ie osmosis therefore could not happen

 

[Powersalt]

and me, Ive been in the water for 3 years, with just a lift for a week to clean up, anti foul and polish. Works a treat.

Boats are a costly toy, so use them when you can, dont take them out of the water for 50% of the year and waste all that boating time.

 

[graham]

I keep our 36 year old boat in 12 months with just an annual lift out for a short time to antifoul check rudder ,seacocks etc etc.

Some of the best sails Ive had have been in winter time.

Make sure your insurance is valid for 12 months afloat.

 

[warrenmarkus1]

Interestingly, my insurance company (GJW) said ok, they will change their records and additional payment was not required!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[pvb]

Mine stays in the water all the time, with just a week out every 2nd summer to antifoul and polish.

 

[Searush]

spent 2 years afloat but hauled out this winter for antifoul & shipsides polish. The polish may not happen & I have stressed about the cold (staying in the water keeps them warmer usually) AND I have missed my winter mini-cruises for my regular boaty fix.

Defo stopping in next year.

 

[pvb]

My marina does cheap lift-outs in the summer (like half price), and it's a much better time to clean and polish.

 

[graham]

My insurance didnt ask for a higher premium but theres a higher deductable excess should I make a claim during the winter months.

 

[Babylon]

I'm running a two year cycle: one winter afoat (with an autumn and spring scrub and check on the grid), the next winter ashore for 4-6 weeks.

I'm currently ashore rubbing down and apply two coats of antifouling, polishing the topsides, repainting cavita line, etc; also mast unstepped for proper checking, re-wiring, etc.

This cycle works fine, gives the GRP some chance to dry, and halves my annualised haul-out costs.

In an ideal world, I'd only haul out early March to avoid the worst of any freezing weather and aim to go back in early April.