How often do I need to take the boat out the water?

[Tryweryn]

Hi,
Boats being packed this week and comes by road the week after. Its been out the water for a while now and will go back in the water in a couple of weeks. Whats the crack with taking the boat out the water. For this first year as it is like a new toy, could I keep it in the water for this winter and then take it out the winter after? Or would this not give the boat time to dry out? It is a fin keel and so wont be drying out as the tide goes out. Basically will it do any damage not taking it out this winter?

 

[mrming]

Absolutely. Many boats stay in all year round and only come out for a couple of weeks occasionally to get antifouled and have new anodes etc. Leaving yours in one winter and taking it out the next would be a perfectly normal thing to do. The only thing I would be concerned about would be severe weather if you are moored somewhere exposed.

 

[Tranona]

No hard and fast rule as too many variables. Traditionally boats were taken out in the winter for safety, because usage in winter was low, and they needed lots of work. Now, many people leave their boats in all year round in safe marinas and some sail in the winter. Antifouling becomes the determining factor, usually needing an annual refresh, but even this can be avoided if you use a long term underwater finish like Coppercoat.

 

[Tryweryn]

At the moment it will be berthed inside a estuary where it is protected, but i have the option to take it into the marina itself during the winter. Thats good then because I would really like to get some sailing in this winter after practice during the summer. I'll go google this copper coat now, thanks.

 

[Tryweryn]

Problem is i assume it will have to come out for a few days anyway for the anodes to be changed as i read on here they go every year.

 

[Searush]

At the moment it will be berthed inside a estuary where it is protected, but i have the option to take it into the marina itself during the winter. Thats good then because I would really like to get some sailing in this winter after practice during the summer. I'll go google this copper coat now, thanks.

Many estuaries are subject to bad wind over tide conditions in winter, see what the locals do. I used to be on the Dee estuary & put her in a mud berth where she only floated on big tides in the winter. I am now in Caernarfon (Afon Seoint) which dries out & is pretty safe in any weather.

Problem is i assume it will have to come out for a few days anyway for the anodes to be changed as i read on here they go every year.

Anode condition is different for every boat, mine last for around 10 years, others go every year. Marina connection to 240v could be a contributory factor as might lots of electronics use - I don't do either. A mix of metals in the water (iron chain or fastenings, stainless, brass and bronze fittings perhaps) could also be an issue. My boat also spends almost half its life dried out which must help.

 

[VicS]

Problem is i assume it will have to come out for a few days anyway for the anodes to be changed as i read on here they go every year.

Depends . Small prop anodes may not last a whole year. Sail drive anodes may not last much longer. They'd need inspecting annually. Hull anodes may last several years.

 

[30boat]

Ideally you should never put the boat in the water.Water is bad for your boat.It'll last forever if it stays dry.
But then where's the fun?Take it out for routine maintenance,anode ,cutless bearing checking and antilfouling.And enjoy it without too many worries.

 

[Searush]

Just an after thought; if you are in an area of big tides & have a drying quayside or piles nearby then there is no need to pay a few hundred quid for a lift out to check or replace an anode. Simply dry out leaning against the wall (anode on the outside of course) and swop it over a tide.

Be prepared with duct tape or corks in case you hit a snag & have to sit out another tide to get extra tools or parts, but it is a simple job & not a lot to go wrong, even if you have to hacksaw thro the nuts to get them off.

 

[simonfraser]

Ideally you should never put the boat in the water.Water is bad for your boat.It'll last forever if it stays dry.
But then where's the fun?Take it out for routine maintenance,anode ,cutless bearing checking and antilfouling.And enjoy it without too many worries.

+1

Leave my ply epoxy boat in all year, keep it in commission, easier that way.

Nothing bad has happened, yet ...

 

[Tryweryn]

I'll leave it in. It just seems the right thing to do sail all year.

 

[Tryweryn]

I love this idea of leaning the boat when i want to check the anodes etc. The grand vision of her falling over. Ok here is a daft question. Imagine for some reason your stuck in a fin keel. Tide goes out and the boat goes over. When the tide comes in...would it right itself or would it flood?

 

[TonyBuckley]

Hi,
Boats being packed this week and comes by road the week after. Its been out the water for a while now and will go back in the water in a couple of weeks. Whats the crack with taking the boat out the water. For this first year as it is like a new toy, could I keep it in the water for this winter and then take it out the winter after? Or would this not give the boat time to dry out? It is a fin keel and so wont be drying out as the tide goes out. Basically will it do any damage not taking it out this winter?

I've never taken mine out for any prolonged period.

Distressing time last year with six weeks out due to the weather not allowing her to be lifted back in and the backlog that created.

This year I achieved a 'one day target'. Lifted by Haslar sea lift: Full inspection, Antifouled, anodes, and bit of stern tube work. ONE DAY!

 

[Tryweryn]

That then will be my plan lol

 

[VicMallows]

Boat 30 years old next year. Has spent a total of about 4 months out of the water. Hull anode (only) changed twice, and even then only half wasted. Swinging mooring. Absolutely no sign of osmosis.

 

[Searush]

I love this idea of leaning the boat when i want to check the anodes etc. The grand vision of her falling over. Ok here is a daft question. Imagine for some reason your stuck in a fin keel. Tide goes out and the boat goes over. When the tide comes in...would it right itself or would it flood?

They are designed to refloat, but if it falls over leaning "downhill" into a gully there may be a problem, but generally, if you make sure the cabin is sealed it will usually lift with the incoming tide. leaning a boat on a quayside is easy, you need good fenders & a few buckets of sea water on the side decks to give her a list towards the quay. Finally, you can also lead a haliard to something solid ashore & winch the other end enough to make sure she stays heeled as she goes down. people have been storing keel boats like that for years in drying harbours.

 

[30boat]

Boat 30 years old next year. Has spent a total of about 4 months out of the water. Hull anode (only) changed twice, and even then only half wasted. Swinging mooring. Absolutely no sign of osmosis.

What you don't have is blisters.Different thing.You most likely have some degree of osmosis,just no visible signs of it.Polyester resin is not waterproof and degrades very slightly with time when immersed.Depending on the layout and the quality and characteristics of the resins and gelcoat you'll have or not the visible effects we call osmosis.

 

[Lakesailor]

Depends where the boat is as well.
I know someone who hasn't had his boat out of the water for 6 years. A fin keel 21' racer/cruiser in fresh water.
It probably wants it's "beard" trimming but otherwise sails well enough.

 

[William_H]

Things are different here in the antipodes (west). Very few marinas or facilities could take a boat ashore for a winter. Many charge like 50 dollars per day when out so typically you pull only for 1 2 or 3 days then return it to the water. With warm water antifouling is critical. This usually dictates how long between lift outs. Hopefully anodes will last as long as a/f paint. No tides here to allow drying out. What OP should do is get a wet suit mask and snorkel and do lots of in water inspections. This will help in keeping an eye on all those underwater concerns. He will ten know when to lift or dry out. good luck olewill

 

[Elemental]

They are designed to refloat, but if it falls over leaning "downhill" into a gully there may be a problem

If it doesn't flood on the way down, why would it flood on the way up as it refloats?