Leave our new yacht in The Netherlands for the winter?

[Steve N]

My wife and I are in the process of buying our first sailing yacht and would like your opinions on whether we should leave it with the broker in The Netherlands for the winter.

We haven't owned our own boat before so the idea of it being stored in a dry shed and professionally winterised is quite attractive, albeit expensive.

The other side of the coin is that, if we leave it there, we can't use it in the winter. Also, as we plan to live aboard in a year or two's time, we would quite like to get some experience of doing the maintenance ourselves.

Should we be concerned with leaving the boat in the water for the winter? If we bring it back to the UK, we would most likely keep her in Ramsgate and take her out in the spring to check the anodes and refresh the antifouling.

Thanks.

 

[Three kings]

I guess it depends on how much time you have available. Sailing during the winter could be a great way of getting to know your new yacht and by the time spring comes, you should have any teething issues sorted and are well placed to enjoy the season.

The only time I used indoor storage in The Netherlands was when I knew I would not have a chance to do anything with the boat over the winter. It was a good service but expensive, not just for storage but any maintenance work also. Bear in mind that once you go into that shed you are a captive market.

If you do decide to go down that route try Niels at Yerseke Watersports for a quote. They speak English and do quality work but you will pay!!.

 

[Gwylan]

We stored in the water and on the hard over 3 seasons in The Netherlands.

Always a good experience.
In Terneuzen and Antwerp [not strictly The Netherlands, but it was nearer home and more fun]

Seemed to have been 3 of the coldest winters I have experienced. We managed a few days out on the water, but we might have been better off ashore or 'indoors'.

During all 3 winters we had to keep heating on board and the de-humidifier running.
Despite that the remaining water in the cold water system froze one winter.

Also whilst we stayed in the water one year we had to fill the sea water side of the cooling loop with anti-freeze as we watched the sea freeze one New Year's Day.

On a brighter note, it all seemed cheaper than being in the UK for similar services.

Depending on your final destination there might still be a window to move the boat nearer to home to get some use out of it. But unless you are hardened it is unlikely that you will get out more than 3 to 5 days a month.
Your boat will look a lot better and feel nicer for a winter in a dry storage shed, even if you cannot get to it to do any work.

 

[Steve N]

It was a good service but expensive, not just for storage but any maintenance work also. Bear in mind that once you go into that shed you are a captive market.

Thanks for your remarks. The broker seems quite keen that we should leave the boat there and we're definitely getting the impression that the costs will escalate.

I think we're leaning towards bringing her home for the winter. Our local port is Ramsgate so it's just a 24hr sail from The Netherlands.

 

[Jamesuk]

I fly back to the UK on the 11th November i am free for at least 4 weeks or even over Christmas. Get back to England with the boat. Ill help you deliver it i just had a look and flights to Amsterdam are 30quid considering im flying back from Greece a week on Sunday for 264 euro it is a total bargain.
PM me if your interested

Whats the boat?

 

[Steve N]

I fly back to the UK on the 11th November i am free for at least 4 weeks or even over Christmas. Get back to England with the boat. Ill help you deliver it i just had a look and flights to Amsterdam are 30quid considering im flying back from Greece a week on Sunday for 264 euro it is a total bargain.
PM me if your interested

Whats the boat?

Thanks for the offer James, we've got a long list of offers to help bring her back but I'll let you know if an opportunity should come up.

She's a Hallberg Rassy 43.

 

[Jamesuk]

Im sat on a Hallberg Rassy right now been on it for almost 2 years lovely boats i know Jeremy Mason very well down at Transworld yachts and i am also flying to help out on HR48 in Malta in a few months. )

 

[Steve N]

Depending on your final destination there might still be a window to move the boat nearer to home to get some use out of it. But unless you are hardened it is unlikely that you will get out more than 3 to 5 days a month.

I think we've made the decision to bring the boat home for the winter and try to get out in her whenever there's a weather window. We've been planning to get a boat for so long now that I think we'd go mad knowing that it's too far away to be taken out for a weekend sail.