leaving the boat in the water over winter?

[Cactus Sailing]

I've always kept my boat afloat, though admittedly in a marina for some years. A couple of drybags help - anything you don't want to go musty keeps well inside them.

I use vacuum bags - saves space and doesn't get damp

 

[solent clown]

puts me in mind of our latest acquisition, it had been moored in Langstone harbour for many years, no one there could recall it ever coming out of the water. When we pulled it out we found the hull totally encrusted with barnacles, and with a weed beard all over about 6 inches long. That isnt going to happen to you over one winter though! Scraping barnacles is a peculiarly satisfying task - if a painful one on the knuckles should a hand slip

 

[eddystone]

Scraping barnacles is a peculiarly satisfying task - if a painful one on the knuckles should a hand slip

Not many people feel that way. If you are having withdrawal symptoms next February feel free to have a go at mine!

 

[solent clown]

Not many people feel that way. If you are having withdrawal symptoms next February feel free to have a go at mine!

I will pass on that, it was satisfying as a novelty though... ;-)
In all seriousness, leaving the boat in the water means you have a routine to establish you should never put off, going out to check. If nothing else it will keep it in mind, those thoughts of sunny days sailing next year - and of course the potential of a stolen day on the water on a crisp winter's day. Just think of a boxing day detox cruise....
A fitted cockpit cover saves a lot of hassle, especially if you dont have a self bailing cockpit.