What do you think?

[nickcred]

Every year since we have had Tristan and I think for 11 years before she has been lifted out from November to March. Also every year she has been anti-fouled with two coats.

The season always feels too short so we are considering leaving her in this winter and getting some cold crisp winter day use (subject to closed locks as always)

What's the forums opinion on this plan and secondly only anti-fouling every two years, she seems to stay remarkably clean and the anti-foul looks in good condition when she is lifted out, no flaking or anything.

Also what other precautions other than draining the fresh water tanks and antifreeze in the engine would you suggest I take. When she is on the hard she stays dry with just a single damp absorber thing on board, no heat or dehumidifiers, will that change if left in the water?

Thanks guys

 

[No Regrets]

My Birchwood was in the water for three years, and only with the precautions you already adopt.

Two years before lift out is pretty nice treatment for a tough old vessel like that, and far better than many enjoy /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Cliveshep]

Mine only comes out when the A/F gets scraped off and flaky around the W/L. She's been afloat for nearly 5 years now, and needs lifting to re-paint the W/L area due to mechanical damage as inland waterway use can be stressful on waterlines due to locks/bank stonework close to W/L. I had it lifted after it had been afloat for 3 years, this was to remove a rope from prop, all there was on the hull was black slime and 4 very small snails! I can live with slime 'cos it's underneath and only the fishes (and snails) ever get to see it.

My last boatyard up in Gt Yarmouth used to reckon only A/F the visible bit around the W/L and that for show only. That tip has save me loads of cash over the years.

 

[miket]

There are 2 reasons why I always try and have my boat out from Oct' to March;
1. Tried leaving it in a couple of times and never used it despite best intentions. Too bloody cold, too damp, too much condensation when heating is on, river often in flood and many locks u/s. Also, unless in off river marina there is the hassle of rising river levels and potential damage to the boat.
2. Older boats use a type of gel coat that is slightly porous and I believe that the time out of the water each year helps to keep the osmosis at bay.
Anyway, I like doing non-boaty things in the winter, and I'm getting old and grumpy and ................................

 

[Glorfindel]

We had a shared-ownership boat on the Broads for years and always used to take our weeks in winter. Bought our own on the Thames last year and used her all through winter with no problems and no crowding! Several lock-keepers got a fright on Christmas morning though!

 

[rr_123]

I love having the boat available in the middle of winter, and if I didn't I'd have to do my Christmas Shopping by car and fight with all the muppets in the car parks - imagine that!!!

Meant to take her out last winter but didn't quite get round to it (c:

 

[Gavi]

Ah, Halcyon days....