In or Out for the winter

[affinite]

Just wondered what the views of the panel were wrt the pros and cons of leaving a GRP hulled boat in the water over winter. In previous years Ive had my pride and joy lifted out and propped up for the winter but Im wondering if this is really necesary ?
Simillary I wonder if it is really necessary to remove sails over winter. My mainsail is nicely flaked over the boom and protected with a strong sailcover and my furling genoa is snugley rolled up under its UV strip.
BTW - The boat is kept in a Marina in Greece (Ionian)

 

[BAtoo]

Often leave my boat in for winter - it sails better that way - and have a quick lift for a long weekend in the spring.
Geneally remove sails after new years day race but not before.
Once put an old set of sails on over winter & then realised why I had dumped them - made me feel slightly better about the cost!!!!

 

[Lakesailor]

In for me.

Boxing Day

January

February

 

[simonfraser]

in, unless you think you'll live forever and your boat has to last for the same length of time

excelent sailing on the east coast until at least end of december, then back again for april, hardly seems worth the bother

take it out / dry it for anti foul during the summer, much nicer working conditions too

 

[Appleyard]

Reading the original question...the boat is kept in Greece..which is not on exactly on your doorstep,and you are not able to post nice pics of "sailing on boxing day,January and February" so taking this into consideration ,and the fact that you will not be near the boat for about 6 months or so,you should definitely store it ashore.
(a) It can't be sunk,either accidentaly or deliberately
(b) the hull can get a chance to dry itself out,reducing the chance of the dreaded osmosis.
(c) your antifoul will last much longer..just give it a quick wash.
(d) the chances of the boat being nicked are practically nil.
(e) you sleep soundly at night ,knowing all the above.
(f) you can have a day or so before the boat is launched to carry out any bits and pieces of maintenance or repairs.
We keep our's ashore when not using it ..the cost is not much more than afloat ,but worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[bluedragon]

Left my genoa on the furler last winter...never again. Green strips all over it (algae) from where water had got into the layers. I'm in Wales, but the Ionian is pretty wet in winter and in reality may not be much different. Main under the cover was OK, but this year I'll probably take it off.

 

[Lakesailor]

Good point. But widening the debate never hurts. Do other forumites like to winter sail, or is it tucked up 'till summer?

 

[Aja]

Comes out for the winter. My mooring is far too exposed - and an hours drive from my home - and sits off my parent;s house. They would fret everytime a gale went through.

Sits nice and snug in a boatyard ten minutes from my home and at the weekend I get to visit all my chums and drink tea.

Donald.

ps Can t justify the expense of moving it to a more sheltered mooring.

 

[stevebrassett]

Mine normally comes out, but I'me leaving her in for this winter. She will be moved from the swinging mooring to a drying marina.

 

[Ariadne]

Why bother to take it out, you cant use it unless it floats!!

We use our boat all year round, it will have a half day out next year to hose down and antifoul, but unless something serious happens thats it.

Boats are meant to be sailed, not stored. There is some great winter sailing out there, go get it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jonathankent]

Mine is coming out at the beginning of October. It would be cheaper to leave it on the mooring, but for piece of mind I would rather have it stored ashore. I wouldn't be happy when we get the SW gales, and it gives me a chance to do some work on it, and 'dry out'. Also, the insurers won't cover for all year use on the mooring.

 

[najsmith]

Mine was in last winter, having just bought her in June.

I'm still trying to figure out the plan forthis winter. I'v lots of things I'd like to do that willl be easier on shore, but I don't want to get stuck behind loads of boats in the yard, when their woner hasn't got around to it.

Hoping to pull out for November/early december. Unload are gear (home is 1.5 hrs away) and then get cracking on the jobs.

I want to do sooooooooooo much, but experience tells me it ain't all going to happen!

 

[jonathankent]

[ QUOTE ]
I want to do sooooooooooo much, but experience tells me it ain't all going to happen!

[/ QUOTE ]
Confirmed... I have got things to do this winter I wanted to do last winter. I think it is because I didn't do anything until late January and then ran out of time, so this year I will start straight away.

Some yards are very good about launching dates and other boats 'in the way'. The yard I use will launch whatever date you want... they will move the other boats around, crane yours out over the top of the othes, etc... its not really a problem there. OTOH, in a unnamed marina/boatyard in Plymouth they give you a date when it is being launched and is your responsibility to have it ready for then. Speak to your yard and see how they operate.

 

[Guest]

Mine stays in year in after year ....

I live 3 hrs flying and 2 x 2 hrs drive from the UK boat and I don't worry about her.
Sails stay rigged and with covers / UV as you describe. BUt Genny has suffered green mould - so will be de-rigged and washed later before baltic trip !!

Enjoy winter sailing ..... I would if I could get back !!

The boat I have in latvia has to come out - the ice gets anywhere from 1 - 3 mtrs thick and could do some awesome damage to her !!

 

[Ecosse120]

Worth checking your insurance as mine says that it must be out over the winter (probably a good idea on a swing mooring).