Do boats need "drying out"?

[dralex]

Do boats need \"drying out\"?

As I said earlier, I'm going to keep my boat in the water as much as possible over the winter. Is there any merit in taking a GRP boat out of the water to "dry out"? there seems to be a fair amount of folklore about this, but does it need doing? I'm planning on being out for a maximum of 4 weeks. Also, do I need to do anything about winterising a raw water cooled engine if the boat is still afloat? ( may be better as a PBO question).

Thanks

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[tome]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

My own opinion is that it does no harm to keep a boat afloat and that the annual haul-out is a hangover from the days of wooden boats on swinging moorings. Certainly a boat is better supported afloat than propped up ashore IMO.

It's important to start and run the engine every couple of weeks (also the heating, if fitted) and that's all you need to do to maintain it in good condition. Do an oil change if it's due.

One thing I would recommend is a de-humidifier. We put ours on board end of October and leave it running during the winter months. This keeps upholstery and books dry, and stops any mold from growing.

Some of our best sailing is during the winter, and we try to make sure we start each New Year afloat.

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[jimi]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Agree completely .. apart from .. I alternate weeks with the dehumidifier on and off but in the colder months keep a little oil filled electric radiator on low. I love winter sailing .. erm except when caught in F9 near the Alderney Race .. will try not to repeat that experience..

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[dralex]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Thanks- a dehumidifier is definately on the list- we're in a marina now so have shore power. We may have to follow your idea of starting the new year on board as New Years Eve parties seem to have lost their appeal recently- you could arrange your own firework display with out of date flares.

Cheers

Alex

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[StugeronSteve]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

I believe that leaving a boat "in" has many merits. A propped boat is subjected to a lot of stresses over a winter, particularly if the rig is left standing and the warmth of sea water provides wonderful frost protection. Whats more you can use the thing and not miss some of the best sailing just because it is winter.

Modern gel coats have much greater resistance to osmosis, and the more I hear of the problem the less alarming I think it is anyway.

We have left "Two J's III" afloat for the last two winters, taking her out for three weeks in early spring, during a particularly congested time in the Stugeron family diary that doesn't allow sailing. With a dehumidifier and frost protection heater on board she has wintered a treat and has been ready for use whenever the opportunity has arisen.

With regard to the engine, just service it at the back end of the year, run some antifreeze mixture through the block if she is to be left for any period without running, keepthe diesel tank full and enjoy.

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[Samphire]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

I feel GRP boats should be ashore for 4/5 months every alternate year.It is an indisputable fact that gelcoat is not impervious to water,therefore give it a chance to dry out. I would however agree that a boat is generally "safer" in the water than out of it over the winter.
Regarding de himidifiers ,thats a seperate issue effecting interior furnishings etc.
Samphire.

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[jimi]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

The only issue then is keeping ones bottom clean, I usually take mine for an autumnal wiping at one of the scrubbers. Much better to get a scrubber to do it than waste time and energy doing it yourself. The scrubbers in Portsmuth are wonderful and provide excellent service.

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[AndrewB]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Thanks for that gem of local knowledge, Jimi. Just make sure you don't get barnacles growing where no barnacle ought to grow.

 

[dralex]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

There was a lovely advertisement in Viz years ago for a device to keep ones bottom clean- it was claimed that it removed all unwanted debris including dangleberries. The machine was basically a mounted bike with brushes instead of a tyre on the rear wheel. There was no saddle and so the user could control the depth of scrubbing. I'm not sure they'd let you do this in Portsmouth.

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[StugeronSteve]

Re: It\'s funny you should say that...

I was just thinking about paying a visit to the Gosport scrubber.

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[extravert]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

That was in a very old Viz. I remember it, I've still got it at home somewhere. The device was called the tag-matic. Also advertised were slug nails, fly bricks and facial wigs. Remember those?

<hr width=100% size=1>Summer is what you expect - rain is what you get.

 

[dralex]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Do you think there's scope for a new column, a bit like the Friday Jokes. Maritime inventions along the lines of PBO crossed with Viz? How about duel uses for everday devices on board?


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[Nickel]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Pyortsmeef has been famous for its scrubbers for amny a century - long indeed before anyone invented GRP.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nickel

Being paranoid simply means - having all the facts.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Would you please refrain from talking about winter - its still only August, believe it or not !!! Next thing, you will be talking about the C-word in December.

Some of us are a little sensitive having been without boat for several weeks due to an engine transplant, and looking forward to several more months of sailing this year. (Well we can at least hope.)

<hr width=100% size=1>It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

 

[dralex]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

That's why I posted in the first place- it's been such a crap summer that I'm fully expecting loads of brilliant days this Autumn and Winter. In terms of weather to avoid sailing, you've chosen a pretty good time to be re engined- here's to the next few months of tropical conditions over the UK.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Cutter]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

I can think of a few who would qualify for the fat slag nominations.....

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[Guest]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

My boat stays in most yaer round - coming out basically for maintenance only.

I have meters and also am a surveyor - one of my crimes in life - i monitor the hull when she comes out and look for any bilstering ..... nought yet - but yes a bit heavy on mositure readings.

Onto drying out ..... this is a mis-worded phrase anyway ... as a boat with osmosis will not 'dry-out' without external physical help..... such as breaking the gel coat down to allow the moisture out.
What normally happens is any moisture that is not deep and embedded into the strurcture 'drysout' giving the false impression that you are succeeding beating the pox ....

It is not a bad idea to lift a boat reagularly and stand to dry out ... but that is to reduce the ingress of water - not to 'dry-out ' embedded water ....

As to propped boats and supports .... I agree that some props are a bit sparse on some boats in yards and a few more with load plates to spread the load would be an idea .... but generally as long as mast stays and other items are slacked a touch to allow the hull to sit comfortable .... should be ok. Best is to unstep mast of course.
The amount of distortion that can affect a hull when ashore compared to on water can be surprising and that is why I advocate final setting of stays etc. should be done afloat - not ashore.

So Drying out ? depends what you mean and what you understand by the term ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[jonjo]

Re: Do boats need "drying out"?

Double checking...

What I think you are saying is, if a hull is destined to get osmosis and blisters at 20 years on a six month in and six month out regime then it will develop blisters at 10 years of age if kept in the water 12 months a year?

For my new yacht I was thinking along the lines that an August haul out would equate to 3 months of winter drying ashore but following your post I am reconsidering.

On a different issue…

I have often wondered if pro boatyard pressure washers traumatize GRP to the extent that they provoke osmosis?

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[jonjo]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

> it does no harm to keep a boat afloat and that the annual haul-out is
> a hangover from the days of wooden boats

Would you do this if you owned a yacht from a less respected builder?

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[tome]

Re: Do boats need \"drying out\"?

Yes Jonjo - our previous boat was subjected to the same regime and was a 1978 build from a 'less respected builder'. Never seemed to do her any harm either.

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