In water vs. dry dock for the winter...

[knb53]

I'm a new sailboat owner, Com-Pac 27, 1989 year, hull #118.

I'm trying to decide whether to leave my boat in the water with a bubbler for the winter vs. pull it. The broker who sold me the boat (who seems quite knowledgeable and has been very helpful after the sale) says that it doesn't really matter, but his vote is to leave it in the water.... he states that boats are meant to be in the water and that although there are advantages and disadvantages either way, on balance he prefers to let 'em float.  Others I've talked to say they always pull their boat.  They say leaving a hand-laid fiberglass boat in the water invites blistering, that the boat should be allowed to dry out once a year.

Here's the relevant info:

The boat is on an inland lake (Lake Carlyle- Illinois) just outside of St. Louis, MO. Lake size 3 miles X 13 miles, fairly shallow, average depth about 12 feet, as deep as 25 feet in the main channel.

The marina is staffed all winter and to some degree the staff walks the docks a couple of times per day to keep an eye on things. Most of the boats in the marina are sailboats.... sailboats vastly outnumber powerboats on this lake.

I would have a bubble/agitator that the marina staff would plug in if ice started to form.

I know that even if I leave the boat in the water, I would still want to pull her out next spring just to inspect things, power wash the hull, check on the bottom paint, etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts, resources to read up on, etc. re. this?

Thanks for all the help.

Keith Byler

[Jobst]

1) Fresh water is more apt to lead to blisters than salt water.  For that reason, I'd pull the boat out

2) If you have an ablative multiseason bottom paint (like Micron CSC) , then pulling the boat will not harm it's effectiveness - if you use a hard type paint, then you'll need to repaint after leaving the boat out of the water.

3) Make sure your automatic bilge pump is up to the challenge of a season in the cold - that stuffing box on your prop seal will always leak a bit - and you really don't want to risk a bilge pump giving up the ghost.

4) Last, check with your insurance company - some will require you to pull the boat or they will not cover certain types of damage.

Just a few thoughts

[knb53]

Thanks so much.... that all makes sense.

A part of me wanted to leave it in the water thinking I might actually go out for a sail in Dec. or Jan. if we got one of those occasional warm-ups where it is in the 40's or 50's.... but you've raised enough concerns that it probably isn't worth the risk.

Thanks again,
Keith

[JanP]

albeit a bit of an expense is a hydro hoist.  convenience of having the boat at the slip if you do want to sail, and the advantage of having the boat OUT of the water.  It's a bit warmer here than there, though, and typically used more by racers than the casual cruisers, you might want to consider it.

[Craig Weis]

Could go both ways. Even though your south...

I'm not a fan of ice and I'd pull the boat and cover her up nice and tight on land. skip

[tmolik]

After over 25 years on lake Erie...PULL THE BOAT...you will sleep better.

tom

[botelerr]

I agree , half the fleet stays in the harbor here in St Louis,, but I sleep better with the 19 on the hard tipped to stern a bit for good dranage. I tried covers
[ cheap blue tarps from China] in the past and have concluded the wind and flopping damage is not worth it.. no trap this year.. And sure I go to the river every three to four weeks just to check on her...Rob
praying for spring

[Potcake boy]

Based on my experience - including some occurences of blisters - I strongly recommend a haul out for the winter.

Ron

[nies]

Ron's advice is good advice......I would take out for no other reason than cleaning the hull in the spring goes easier if " growths "are dried out......Phil

[kickingbug1]

   i wouldnt have thought that the ice last year would have done her any good. if youre at keysport they have a good hoist. i would pull her out. my guess is that if you sail in december or january you would have the lake all to yourself. cant beat carlyle for sailing  hope you guys keep our rendezvous in mind next summer.

[Nicolina]

It all depends. I kept one boat in the water this winter. This boat has vinylester resin and is in a creek on the Chesapeake that sees high salinity and plenty of tidal current. Neither ice nor blisters are therefore likely. Next winter, I am planning to keep both boats in the water, one at a marina with bubblers, the other again in the same spot on the Chesapeake. I'll pull them out briefly for maintenance at another time during the year, when temperatures are more conducive to working on them. I am also considering putting a barrier coat on my older Compac that has polyester resin and is therefore more susceptible to blisters.

In my view, there are just too many fine sailing days in the off season; I don't want to miss them just because the boat's on the hard. And remember: if you want to go sailing in winter, it really helps if the boat is in the water. On the hard, it is difficult to reach hull speed!

[kickingbug1]

hey knb hope to see you at our com-pac rendezvous this july. it would be nice to have a "mothership" and it would make for a nice photo op. see you on carlyle next spring. cp16 sail# 1344

[tmolik]

for keith....

with a combined over 50 years on lakes erie and michigan, my experience says..... never, never leave a boat in the water in the winter(unless the water never freezes)...electric can be inerrupted...on lake erie w/easterly winds, ice can pile up and cause terrible results with docks and boats... relying on someone else to "monitor" your boat is a disaster waiting to happen...why leave it in when you are pulling in spring anyway...to save winter ground storage??...bad reason...  if you leave in you need two things (1) check with your insurance to see if OK, (2) move to across the street from your boat.  !!!!   

tom

[Salty19]

I'll second what kicknbug said..hope to see you at Carlyle for the rendezvous.  I can visualize the photo of a 27, 23, 19 and several 16 all tied off together!!

[gfspencer]

My first choice would be to take the boat out of the water but for various reasons I don't so it has been in the water for 18 years.  I have the marina pull it and clean the hull every now and then.  Several years ago they repainted it.  No blisters so far.  The lake where it's kept generally doesn't freeze.