Not going in the water this year.

Sans Bateau

Sans Bateau

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Tied up with very overrunning winter projects at home, I still have not touched the boat since she came out in Sept last year. Unusually early for me. We have already missed some cracking weather and with only 4 available weekends between now and my holiday, which was going to be on the boat, I cannot see I am going to have time to prep the boat and have a couple of shake down sails. There is also the prospect that come July and my two weeks, the weather will turn poo, just to spite me. So my thoughts are, to leave the boat where it is until next spring, at least I will have time to ensure an early start!

Aside from the fact that its a daft thing to do (for obvious reasons) is there anything I should think about if I dont put the boat in the water until next spring?
 
Be sorry to miss you on the water this year/Cherbourg

Read your own postscript by roger Waters again!! I am guilty of not following your postscript enough so can't preach!
 
I am also struggling, but have a quick anode/antifoul service done by the yard, which, although more expensive, saved me several weekends which I don't have.
I have to finish the loo/holding tank installation before the holidays.

All the rest can wait until next year without problems.
 
Galadriel,

I had last year off and found the boat went downhill surprisingly, it has taken a lot of work to get her back to spec' - boats are like aeroplanes and cars, they need to be used.

I've decided to sail this season ' unplugged ' as in music, forget radar and instruments or covering long distances, keep her light as a pure sailing boat - there's a lot to be said for daysails in the harbour and the occasional night onboard.
 
I seriously do not think I could survive without the boat; even pottering along is restorative.

Just the thought of it makes me shudder.

If it floats, and the engine runs mostly, and the sails still work then I would wish to get out and sod the radar, wind and log instruments, anchor and anything else that needs doing. A couple of my windows leak, annoying, but I can manage and each year the list of jobs get longer.

If its not a priority one fix then why wouldn't you?
 
I would suggest getting somebody to do the anti fouling, fit the anode and get launched.

Also consider keeping in commission all year round. A lot of the annual work is "waste" in efficiency terms - just undoing things in October to redo them in April, and often just causing more wear and tear in the process.
Doing a small amount regularly in the warm weather seems a better option than the traditional decommission / recommission ritual IMHO
 
dunedin said:
Doing a small amount regularly in the warm weather seems a better option than the traditional decommission / recommission ritual IMHO
Click to expand...

That's my philosophy. It makes even more sense somewhere warm and dry like the south coast of England. The Solent is at its best for autumn and early spring sailing.

Otherwise, there has to come a point where it is no more expensive to charter several times a year than own a boat, with less hassle and worry.
 
If you don't launch you may kick yourself if, you find you have a nice weekend with time to spare.
Last year we bought our very first home, which needed a lot of work, so I only had time to go out 5/6 times. After the 16th of June I never set foot on her until lift out day. Very frustrating when you can see your boat from the bedroom window, and your stuck in refurbishing.
You will be missed, so you need to get to Cherbourg somehow.
 
galadriel said:
Tied up with very overrunning winter projects at home, I still have not touched the boat since she came out in Sept last year. Unusually early for me. We have already missed some cracking weather and with only 4 available weekends between now and my holiday, which was going to be on the boat, I cannot see I am going to have time to prep the boat and have a couple of shake down sails. There is also the prospect that come July and my two weeks, the weather will turn poo, just to spite me. So my thoughts are, to leave the boat where it is until next spring, at least I will have time to ensure an early start!

Aside from the fact that its a daft thing to do (for obvious reasons) is there anything I should think about if I dont put the boat in the water until next spring?
Click to expand...

What jobs need doing before she goes in? Anodes, polish topsides and that's it. I know you don't need to Antifoul.
So do that and put her in.

You don't have to go for a sail, but if she's in, and you feel like a sail, you can. If she's out you can't.

And next year don't take her out. She's warmer in the water over winter. Old habits from wooden boat days die hard, but there are some cracking sails to be had in the winter. Lift and hold, or go to a drying grid, in the summer to change your anodes.

And if you have dark enough glasses and/or can stand the embarrassment, you are always welcome to a day on the water with us. Kids outs wasn't the same without you, not just from an organisational point of view, even more so the good company.
 
prv said:
Trust a motorboatist to include polishing on the bare-minimum-essentials list :) :p

Pete
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Yeah, ok flash git jibe taken on chin with good spirit :), my point is few jobs are harder in the water (if you are marina based) just do those and put the boat where she belongs!

And also in my defence, Galadriel is always immaculate so that would be on his list :)
 
Elessar said:
my point is few jobs are harder in the water (if you are marina based) just do those and put the boat where she belongs!
Click to expand...

True enough. Our plan with Ariam is to leave her in the water until 2019, when standing rigging and saildrive gaiter come due for replacement. Just a quick lift-and-hold or Sealift each spring for scrub and anodes. Even if I take her out of commission over a winter for improvement works (like this winter) she's still warmer and safer in the water - and easier to work on without having to go up and down ladders!

Pete
 
Have the same problem; too much work and I cannot even take delivery of my "new to me" boat...

Early July at best. Sorry state of affairs.
 
prv said:
Trust a motorboatist to include polishing on the bare-minimum-essentials list :) :p

Pete
Click to expand...

Actually one semi-serious point on this one - we try to polish the bottom 6 inches or so (only) of the sides when out of the water for the annual 24 hour lift. As this is difficult to do afloat but easy to do with a short step ladder.
Above this point much easier to do afloat from a pontoon - so that's where we do it. Splitting the job this way saves a lot of backache
 
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