Med Winterising

[MedDreamer]

This year I'm having an "innie" and haven't given much thought to winterising in the Med. Do I need to do anything? Am I right to assume freezing isn't a problem. Should I drain the domestic water. I plan on visits to the boat in November and January.

I understand humidity can be quite a problem but have dehumidifier on board, also that I should use WD40 quite liberally but I am not quite sure where.

Also intend putting a few more fenders between concrete pontoon and boat just in case.

Any advice from the Meddy fraternity will be most welcome.

Thanks

Martyn


<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[DavidBunn]

Hi Martyn,

We have no problem with freezing in the western Med, well not so far.
Use loads of extra fenders, and double the mooring lines. High winds are the biggest problem.
We use a tanneau cover to keep the boat clean (sand in the rain is a real job to remove).
Just ventilate the cabin areas, and we keep the tanks full, as bugs seem to grow quicker when empty (I may be corrected).
You get some really nice weather in Dec/Jan so you will be able to use the boat and keep everything working.
Have fun,
David

<hr width=100% size=1>Sea water is for boating on, not swimming in.

 

[White_Lady]

Hi Martyn

we had no problems with damp at all the last two years in Alcudia.a well vented boat is the secret and lots of inspection trips!
The extra fenders are a good idea.We did sustain damage last year due to the unusually bad weather,but the Marinello's should keep a look out.
We are just off as i type to 'White Lady' for a visit.The weather out there is tremendous,some 27/28 degrees.
Looking forward to meeting up with Nat,although if he fits his profile of 'fit as a butchers dog' it may be a short meet!
Glad you are having fun in Alcudimar.

KR Phil

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

there is oodles of consensation in the med outside the season, and in fact there's a fair bit in the season but it wevaporates in early hot mornings, whereas in cooler season, it doesnae.

so, wd 40 every single soding shiny bit of the boat. taps, lights, hinges, everything that is metal, indoors esp cos non-marine quality. It's specially important to look after the bits lower down in the boat, rather than higher oop, cos that where the damp air lurks - lower down. Lower hinges go rusty befoere higher up ones and so on.

For the same reason, i get all the linen and towels and rolem up tight and crush into cupboards that are high up in the boat. Also tip the matresses so cool moist air tips offem rather hangs around. There are sealable bags that you can put allthe towels into and then suck the air out of but they don't hold the vacuum, hence bit shite and waste of time. American, i'm afraid...

It can be a bit much having the dehum working alld day long i think - after a few weeks the air is easy dry enuf, but try and makit so the dehum is low down as poss, on a timer, with boat sealed.

Sunlight-wise, yer curtins and wood/windowsils will go quite bleachy in sun if left for yonks, so blanking windows with bits of carboard rather than fadeable curtains is better. Even little bits of wood/windowsills near windows can suffer from cracking, so just coverem with carboad or paper.

It's an idea to bribe someone a to keep an eye on it, make sure they have yer phone number and you have theirs, 100€ for the winter should do it, half now half later, to a bloke who lives works around the port. Praps don't appoint this person now - wait till nov and unles they are around and about the port at that dead time of year, don't usem.

I never drained the domestic water. I did tissue-dry fridges and prop door open.

imho

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

Re:well ventilated

can I question this? Of course, for living on board, arriving for inspection visit, lots of air going through to remove dampness etc. And it certainly "feels good" to throw open the windows and vents. But is that because we're animals, and like/need fresh air, and a bit of dampness also feels "fresh?" whereas carpets and curtains etc last longer in dark dry holes, no? I mean, with a dehum, there'l be less water indoors than if occassionally open up and let more damp air in?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Good advice from tcm et al. I would definitely appoint somebody to keep an eye on the boat especially when storms come. We lost a couple of screen covers and the VHF aerial during last winter. Maybe a good idea to get covers removed if really high winds forecast and fold down aerials

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

it just occurs to me that meddy may not have a lectric passarelle thing for getting ashore. This being the case, stil shd set the bow lines further off than normal, so no chance of crucnhing stern and use either a plank or next doors boat or some other clever idea like inviting some mug to visit with you and do the leaping on board first time to release the bowline a bit.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MedDreamer]

Thanks for the advice everyone. How liberal should I be with the WD40? For Example should I do the sink?

As it happens Matt I do have a passaralle!! not leccy though - buying it doubled the value of the boat!

better go now, I'm sending this from not so sunny Amsterdam from a not very interesting exhibition - hence me posting on here instead of doing something useful

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[tcm]

yep, everything. I saw a boat that had been left, dehum went off (and will your go back on if power cut?) and all slight bits of tarnsih everywhere, light switches, door hinges, the lot. I just squirt the stuff then wipe with tissue so it's not all gloopy. inhinges, wipe it off as well - just needs a tiny film covering everyfink.

<hr width=100% size=1>