Winter storage

[Wai_Tapu]

Horrified by cost of cradle for winter storage! What does the forum think about using boat legs for overwintering on the hard with mast unstepped? What sort of price would you expect for a dismantleable cradle for a 9m fin keel?

TIA

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[chriscallender]

Don't know where you are but the boatyard I'm at provides cradles for all fin keel yachts free for the price of winter storage.

They allow boats to be stored with mast stepped like this - I had mine unstepped but that was because I needed to replace the standing rigging.

On Saturday I noticed a fin keel boat in the yards using its own legs for winter storage and its mast is stepped so at least I know my yard allows it, whether it is as safe as a cradle I couldn't say.

Anyway, at least time is on your side for sorting this out... unless you are in the southern hemisphere!

Chris

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[Windfall]

What yard are you in?


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[yoda]

Keep looking around the various second hand web sites. You can find cradles second hand and I expect with the coming season and boats changing hands a few more will appear on the market soon. Second Hand £200 - £300 seems the going rate for a decent cradle.

Yoda



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[chriscallender]

Quay Lane Boat Yard, Gosport, www.quaylaneboatyard.co.uk. When I checked the web site it says that they attept to store all long/fin keel boats in cradles, either your own or provided by the yard. Price is free on the price list and at least I have not been charged extra.

Chris

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[Wai_Tapu]

Many thanks for replies - would be lifting out on to private land, so yard involved in hoist but I'd have to provide own cradle/support. Only had a boat for 18 months, and next winter would be first time out, so trying to get prepared. I must say I have really enjoyed sailing through the winter - last Sunday was brilliant and the Bristol Channel almost looked blue in the sunshine! - but will need to inspect and service mast and rigging this next one.

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[vyv_cox]

I have over-wintered twice with Yacht-legs, mast up. The only modification made was to tie the legs together in case they somehow splayed outwards and a shore at bow and stern.

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[dickh]

If you look at secondhand cradles make sure they are adjustable - a lot are purpose made for a particular boat and may be difficult to modify. As Yoda says, they go at up to £300 - which isn't bad as new Jacobs are about £700. I paid £100 for mine for a 27 footer.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif