Winter storage ashore

[sanpura]

have been discussing the length of time a boat should be removed from the water over the winter period with various people in the industry. I have always understood that being out of the water for several months was beneficial to the hull so that it could dry out, to some extent, before being antifouled and returned to the water the following spring. This drying out helping to 'put off' osmosis. Some opinion was surprising and was this - older boats, probably before 1989ish were better off just being removed for a short time over winter for antifouling and other necessary jobs, then returned to the water immediately, if possible. The reason being that the boat is better off and warmer in the water (less likely to have anything frozen) than out. Also during winter the hull will not dry completely anyway. If the boat needs to be dried it should be removed during summer, where one month out in summer is better than 4-5 months out in winter. It does seem to have some logic. I would be interested in other views on this subject as it is pretty basic but quite important

 

[ccscott49]

The hull will dry out in the winter aswell, maybe not as well as in the summer, but it will dry out, from not being in contact with the water, thus stopping any osmosis already in progress, so the longer it's out, the more it drys and the less it takes in. It will not absorb rain water, not on the outside anyway.

 

[ccscott49]

The hull will dry out in the winter aswell, maybe not as well as in the summer, but it will dry out, from not being in contact with the water, thus stopping any osmosis already in progress, so the longer it's out, the more it drys and the less it takes in. It will not absorb rain water, not on the outside anyway. If you are worried about anything freezing, either drain it or protect it, (antifreeze)

 

[chriscallender]

To me the main reason I have had the boat lifted out this winter is convenience rather than osmosis prevention. I can get on with all the jobs that need doing at a steady pace over the winter, I don't need to go down and check mooring lines for chafe or the bliges for water and if the wind is high I don't worry about the boat breaking loose.

Other years I've done it both ways and there isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. Personally I wouldn't worry about osmosis to the extent that I had the boat lifted out in summer and lost out on a months sailing in decentish weather but thats just the way it is for me, I view it as more important to sail the boat and enjoy myself than to keep the hull in perfect environmental conditions.

 

[vyv_cox]

My estimate is that 80% of boats remain afloat all winter, every winter, in Netherlands. Almost 100% in Mediterranean France, perhaps 90% in Mallorca. I know many boats in Netherlands that have been afloat more or less permanently since launching, whether 5, 10, 15 or 20 years ago.

 

[LORDNELSON]

I have my boat out every winter for about five months. Because (a)This makes it more convenient to work on (b) I do not have to check moorings etc (c) Two small heaters and a dehumidifier are kept running to keep the inside fresh and dry and prevent anything freezing - it is possible that this helps dry the hull but I would bnot be certain about this.
I do not think the hull will get as wet if it is out of the water than if it is left in. Rain running down the outside of the hull will not penetrate and winds will help dry the exterior of the boat; if it is in the water hydrostatic pressure will be tending to force the water into the hull and the hull will be wet all the time below waterline.

 

[Avocet]

I've left the boat in for the winter this year. Up until now I've lifted out every winter but now it's on Windermere, I thought I might take advantage of some quiet sailing out of season. Being fresh water I was a bit worried about osmosis but a quote for £175 to lift out (and a similar amount to lift back in, I shouldn't wonder) PLUS over £350 to store it ashore for the winter months convinced me that osmosis wouldn't be that much of a problem! (and even if it was, I'd only have to leave it in for a few years before I'd covered the cost of professional osmosis treatment anyway)!

 

[jonjo]

Re: GRP moisture = ice crystals?

> older boats, probably before 1989ish were better off just being
> removed for a short time over winter

Could the reference to freezing refer to the possible formation of ice crystals in the assumed higher moisture content of an older hull?

I have never heard of it before but this thread prompted the thought!

 

[VMALLOWS]

Been in nearly 19 yrs (Sadler 29) . Only been out one winter (P-bracket repair). No signs of 'osmosis' I can see. (I did epoxy it from new (before launched) with old fashioned solvent based epoxy).

Off course no one will buy it now!....but not selling anyway!

 

[VMALLOWS]

This is an interesting point. I have long felt that if there is any unwanted water in the laminate, the last thing you want to do is freeze it. In fact, here on the South Coast it is rare to get anything other than very minor freezing (like 2mm on a bowl of water) but I can imagine the situation further north. (and have lived in upstate NY where the turkey in the garage was still at -18c on Christmas Day!).

See my post earlier re: leaving boat in water.