WINTER IN OR OUT?

[Guest]

I've owned a Fairline Phantom for a few months now and am unsure if it should be lifted out for the Winter. It's berthed in a marina in the Solent and will probably need lifting for cleaning anyway, although it was anti-fouled 3/4 months ago, so presumably there's not much of a cost differnce between the two options.
Therefore what's best for the boat - does drying out for a couple of months really make any difference and, if so, what sort of period is the minimum to be worthwhile; should it be lifted and dried annually or just every couple of years?
I cannot imagine we will want to use the boat in December/January but of course it would be nice to have it available if we do.
I would be grateful for any advice and comments and of course thanks in advance
Roger

 

[trev]

I personally tend to lift mine out every couple of years for anti-fouling and a bit of a dry out (usually November til March).
It's quite pleasant to be able to use the boat over the winter if we get a few good days.
I use a pair of small greenhouse type space heaters to keep the frost away, but drain down the domestics and keep the fuel tanks full.
HOWEVER !! after the gales, rain and high water levels of last year I am considering lifting her out again this year for purely safety reasons even though this will mean extra costs and a full winterisation.
You pays yer money and takes yer choice !

Trev

 

[Guest]

Roger, were you over in Jersey with the Fairline Club a couple of weeks back?

As an aside, I've been wondering the same thing, but as we're in fresh water in Chrsitchurch, I'm concerned about draining down the raw water side (and how the hell you go about it)...

Graham

 

[petem]

A few more things....

If you're keeping her in over the winter then make sure the anodes will last.

If you're taking her out then ensure that security in adequate. The winter before last I had my boat lifted where it spent the winter in Port Solent's car park. She was broken into causing £2000 worth of damage.

Last winter I kept her in. Because of various impendig sales I couldn't have her winterised. However with the use of fan and green house heaters and de-humidifying crystals the boat was fine. Remember that a boat in the water is unlikely to freeze.

If I hadn't sold my boat I would go for a 'out' every other year.

Whatever you do, make sure you don't forget her over the winter. Boats get lonely too and appreciate a bit of tlc!

Pete

 

[Guest]

Graham - yeah you're right on the ball - Arcadia, wasn't it??

I would guess you just open the filter, impeller or whatever else is easier, let the air in and the sea water will run out? Just guessing suggest you get better advice from somebody who really does know.

 

[Guest]

There are drain taps on the raw water side of most engines - check your manual. If not, you can undo the anodes and let it drain from there. The feed to the engine from the sea cock is generally rubber and will be OK with some water in it. Also, you should probably keep a little heater on a thermostat in the engine compartment just to lft the interior temperature should it drop below say 5C

 

[ianphillips]

We traditionally left our boat in for most of the year, lifting her out for a few days at the end of June for anti-fouling (you then get best of the season with a reasonably clean hull). This year as we are selling we took her out of the water for several weeks - she has sustained more damage during those few weeks ashore than in the last three years afloat. We even gained stress fractures than certainly weren't there when she came out of the water! A surveyor friend suggests from poor chocking by the yard, although it could never be proven.

When afloat you can start the engines and give her a run; we quite enjoy a short trip out on a cold crisp morning and you get performance from the engines like you never thought was possible! (cold air).

Another point we noticed, while out of the water the engine actually began to rust! We guess that occassional runs maintain oily residues on the engine and therefore gives more protection - who knows?

The boat didn't sell, so the only benefit we seem to have derived was a few weeks at cheaper storage rates.

All in all I vote stay in!!

 

[stewart]

Re: Does weather make a difference?

How does the situation change if the boat is in a warmer climate? Mine lives in Mallorca, and could be used for weekends at any time of year (even if it's just as a static holiday home to get away from the awful weather here in winter). It will come out for a couple of weeks of antifouling and a few other bits of work anyway. Presumably it will dry out far faster anyway down there than in January in the UK, but I don't think it's spent much time out of the water in the last three years. Any thoughts / experiences of similar?

 

[Guest]

I have just sold my boat of the last ten years and she has stayed in commission all that time apart from a couple of weeks per annum, generally in March, for anti-fouling and new anodes. Incidentally, I have religiously had new anti fouling every season whereas I note many boats seem to have a much longer period (2-3 years) between coats so maybe I am over zealous.

She has just been surveyed for her new owner and there was no trace of osmosis or other structural problems. Although the Clyde is salt water, my berth in KIP marina is close to the mouth of the freshwater river KIP which flows into the marina. This means that the salinity is considerably less around my berth than in other parts but I am not sure what effect that might have. Occasionally, the marina has frozen over but I notice that the boats all have a margin of clear water (maybe a foot) all around which does not freeze. I presume that this is to do with movement of the boat at her berth but I am not sure.

Winter on the Clyde often affords some of the best sailing days of the year - cold sharp days where the sky is clear blue, the water is like a mirror and the Mountains are topped in snow. Conning the boat from the lower helm with the heating on and a little whisky mac to ensure internal warmth! - Fantastic!

The only problems can be

a) in a sharp frost, the side decks and pontoons can become dangerously slippy. Non slip shoes and decking become ineffective.
b) the windows frost up and it takes a while for the heating to defrost them.
c) In extreme conditions the diesel can freeze to a sort of oily sludge. If it gets that cold you don't try to venture out.
d) This kind of sailing is for interior helm boats and not sports boats where you would have to be wrapped up enough to resemble Michelin Man!

I am all for leaving the boat in the water and maximising the fun return on your investment.

Nick

 

[Guest]

Thanks Nick,

On the AD31s, I have no seacocks on the raw water side, just a rubber hose from the leg to the pump, a solid pipe from the pump to the strainer, and rubber from the strainer to the engine. Water sits permanently in the pumps (I guess) since they're below the strainers, and they're always full. Now I assume no-one would be stupid enough to put the pumps below the waterline, but I'm wary of what happens if the water in the leg or pump body freezes, and I'm not sure I'd want to leave the covers off the pumps for the winter...

BTW, the manual has nothing to say on the matter...

 

[Guest]

Hi Roger, yes Arcadia is correct! What you say is true, if the boat is out of the water - it will just drain out. But I'm wondering about leaving her in...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've been told by a couple of surveyors that taking a boat out of the water for a couple of months a year does reduce the moisture content of the hull although whether this will reduce the chances of osmosis in the long term, I dont know.
For me, part of the decision whether to take the boat out or not is whether you can still get electricity ashore because its very important to maintain some low heat and especially a dehumidifier - this makes a big difference in reducing corrosion of metal parts and mould on soft furnishings. If you cant get electricity ashore than I would just lift the boat for a minimum of time
Apart from antifouling, you will probably need to change anodes, abrade and clean props, shafts and P brackets, check and clean trim tabs, bowthruster, water inlets and transducers and maybe repaint boot top lines. So, you probably need a minimum of a week ashore to do these jobs

 

[petem]

Which Marina are you in?

 

[Guest]

Chichester (Premier)
G pontoon
Why?

 

[Guest]

Re: Does weather make a difference?

We're thinking of having a boat in the Med/Mallorca partly for the very reason you mention - to escape the English winters. Is a boat really useable in the Med during the worst weather months here? Or is it not warm enough to enjoy it?

 

[vyv_cox]

Re: Does weather make a difference?

I have sailed out of Palma Mallorca on two of the past three Xmas/New Years. Weather was beautiful the first time, shorts/T shirts for a few hours. Second time not so warm but still very pleasant.

Main problem is that Mallorca is very close to boat saturation and you would be fortunate to obtain a berth, especially at a reasonable price.

 

[Guest]

Re: Does weather make a difference?

Thanks for that info; weather seems quite encouraging.

We're looking to spend extended periods of time in the Med, ideally during the winter but we've been a bit concerned that, though wamer than here, it might not be warm enough on the water.

We've looked at berth availability in Mallorca and know the problem. Easy if you buy a boat from a dealer/broker but it's still a lot of money there. For us, it doesn't have to Mallorca, we could go elsewhere where it might be easier/cheaper. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Remember, winter warmth is what we're looking for.

We went to the Mallorca Boat Show in May this year. A warning to anyone else who, like us, has experienced only Southampton & London: Mallorca Boat Show is like a village fete in comparison!

 

[ArthurWood]

I'm not sure what drying out will do for the boat. My 7-year-old Sea Ray has probably not been out of the water more than 5 weeks in its life. It spent 4 years in fresh water in Georgia (US variety) and is now in the very warm (30+C) Gulf of Mexico and there is no sign of any osmosis, just nasty worm coral on the stern gear which gives me something to do when I'm swimming around, trying to cool off. I have a diver go down and take a look around every couple of months. He also does a better job than I can of cleaning any c--p off the hull etc. I renew anti-fouling every two years.