Keeping afloat

[jono_howlett]

OK. So we have decided to keep our boat afloat all winter and forgo
the lifting out procedure and the expense of the storage, Firstly:

Its a drying mooring reasonably well protected and I hope to
get aboard and run the engine at least once a month
possibly less.

So: Is that enough? We had'nt planned on doing any engine witherising.

Its a swinging mooring with no power.

and any advice would be welcome.

jono

 

[longjohnsilver]

Just the obvious, double check the mooring, especially any shackles.
How will you be keeping an eye on the boat, can you see it from ashore? If it were mine I'd want to be checking it at least weekly if not more often, particularly after a period of rough weather. Is it covered by any webcam? Or do you have friends who can keep an eye out for you?

 

[sarabande]

it's just the fact that it's a drying mooring that worries me. Fully afloat, the surrounding water is unlikely to freeze, but fully exposed on mud/sand to to sub-zero winds, and no heat source under the boat, the interior might reach very low temps.

Do you have some means of antifreezing the engine, and draining the raw water for example ?


A few more details about boat location, type, engine, would be useful.

 

[Searush]

it's just the fact that it's a drying mooring that worries me. Fully afloat, the surrounding water is unlikely to freeze, but fully exposed on mud/sand to to sub-zero winds, and no heat source under the boat, the interior might reach very low temps.

Do you have some means of antifreezing the engine, and draining the raw water for example ?


A few more details about boat location, type, engine, would be useful.

On the hard the boat is exposed 24/7, on a drying mooring the boat is warmed by seawater twice a day. I was happier with mine in the water last winter & didn't need to winterise (other than the drain the fresh water pump & pipes)

 

[MontyMariner]

Without Solar or wind gen, if your batteries are not fully isolated it might be an idea to disconnect them.
If you have auto bilge pump connected and use battery power over the winter you can take a battery off to your car periodically and boost its charge with jump leads.

 

[Seajet]

I don't think she'll suffer really freezing temperatures on a half tide mooring.

One consideration is that staying afloat all year is thought to encourage osmosis, is she gel-shielded ?

The weakest point of swinging moorings is the SWIVEL, do keep an eye on that.

Some insurance companies - like St Margarets / Haven who I'm with - insist on ' a marina or ashore' for the winter, worth asking.

 

[chrisedwards]

Stop worrying and sail your boat - Winter is the best time - 120 boats in Newtown weekend before last andd five last weekend. Every sail is one in the bank - we don't last for ever - the boat will probably outlast us.

 

[Stemar]

The best thing for both engine and batteries is to go for a bimble around the harbour under power for half an hour or an hour every month or so. You get the engine oil warmed through to chase away the damp and you charge up the batteries.

The worst you can do is turn the engine over without starting it 'cos you're just sucking damp air into it. Running for 5 minutes is as bad, and may be worse 'cos the acidic combustion products condense in the cold cold engine.

Get it thoroughly warm and you'll be fine. If you've got a diesel or gas heater, run that full blast for a couple of hours too.