Extended season?

[roberth]

Picking up on several recent, related threads, and noticing that some marinas are starting to look decidedly empty, I am beginng to wonder if I am doing something wrong!

I am not taking my boat (1976 Seamaster 925, GRP, 29ft) out of the water until Dec 10, and I intend to put her back in again in early March. I keep her at Newhaven marina, which is a pretty sheltered winter berth.

Apart from a good bottom scrub and re-antifoul, she doesn't need much more work doing to her that can't be done afloat.

As far as drying out is concerned, she scored low moisture readings in her purchase survey carried out in May, although she had been out of the water for about five months by then. Does she need time to dry out again, and if so is three months long enough?

We can get some glorious days in the winter - isn't it better to keep her in the water as much as possible to grab any opportunity that might come along? Take last Sunday for example - Sunshine, F4 from the NE and a beam/close reach to Beachy Head and back in a slight sea - the latter a rarity off Newhaven!

Let's face it, buying and running a boat isn't cheap, so I am keen to get as much use out of her as possible - especially after this lousy summer.

I've put about 900 miles under the keel since mid-June, I'm hooked and keen to keep going. As I am still new to this bigger boat stuff, I hope you more experienced folk might impart some of your wisdom!

Thanks in advance

Robert

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[tome]

My boat stays in and I get a lot of use out of her during the winter. I'm convinced this annual haul out goes back to the days of wooden boats on swinging moorings, which weren't safe during the winter months.

Relax and enjoy!

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[kilkerr1]

St T is also staying in. Not doubt you'll see us wibbling round Emsworth way throughout the winter, tome. Brrr!


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[chrisb]

i now leave my boat in. the adjacent berth tends to be unoccupied in the winter and i tie her in mid berth clear of the sides. i leave connected to power with dehumidifier and thermostatically controlled heater. she is protected from frost damage and i dont need to winterise the engine . i get a few good days sailing. my previous boat i lifted every winter. when i came to sell her the surveyor discovered water ingress-wicking. this was centrered at the position of the cradle pads. it did occur to me that this problem could have been the result of stresses at the point of support when the boat was is the cradle and subject to wind. it cost a full epoxy treatment-i wonder

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[LadyInBed]

Mine has been in for the last four years, It’s an encapsulated bilge keel so I let it dry out on a slip to clean the hull.
I think there is more potential for strain / damage by suspending it on a couple of strops!


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[tome]

Nice one Justine, good for you.

You guys out this weekend? We're Cowes Friday night, Yarmouth Saturday.

Have EBrrrspacher, will travel

Cheers
Tom

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[kilkerr1]

Grrroovy.

We're not sailing this w/end tho' - work on bathroom calls. Hrmph. I've not set foot on boat for 2 months now, for various reasons too tedious to go into. Not impressed. But keeping boat in water over winter so that will change v soon.

Keep warrrm!


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[roberth]

Thanks very much for your advice - it's on with the thermals then!

Robert

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[dralex]

Way to go. I asked the same question a few months ago and the replies were heavily in favour of staying in. I'm still waiting for the disgusting October weather to blow itself out.

I like the idea of putting the boat centrally between the 2 pontoons ChrisB, but do the springs work well enough, or do you have to leave the bow or stern further out than when you are alongside? I assume you put symmetrical lines on both sides.

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[wooslehunter]

Great - I always make a point of comming out late and back in early.

That way I can go sailing when everyone else is hauling out like last weekend when I passed the Emsworth Slipper guys:----

"You guy's all hauling out then..."
"Yes"
"I'm going sailing"
"Hrmph - there's no wind any way..................."

Looks like Paddington will be out next weekend.

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