[midnightsailor]

As with most things, there are pros and cons to every choice. I happen to prefer wet storage for these reasons.1. I can use my boat all year, or atleast later in the fall and the first mice day in the spring. Also, I love to go down to my boat during the winter while in the water and light up the oil lamps, put up a pot of tea, , turn on some good music and crank up the heater and enjoy the warm, snug cabin, perhaps reading a book,or reading posts on my laptop, while all the other boats are up on the cold hard yard. 2. I find that most damage is done while the boat is either being hauled blocked, or put back in the water,a boat is best while all is evenly supported by water not perched on boat stands. If the rig is up and the boat is on the hard, everything takes considerable strains from the wind that a boat in the water easily absorbs. 3. It is much easier carring on winter mainjtenance projects with a boat you can just step onto..not having to climb up and down ladders with tools and supplies makes things alot easier. 4. If I really get the urge on a bright, warm winters day(they do occur a few times over the winters here on long Island) I can let go the dock lines and take her out. (granted I have to re-flush the deisel with anti-freeze etc. but I have it down to a science and it really is easy to do with the boat in the water) 5. It is cheaper. Granted, the boats bottom is somthing to be considered but I have found that if the boat has good bottom paint very little growth occurs over the winter due to the colder water and especially the reduced sunlight. I Usually only have to do a short haul every other year and even then I usually only have slime after the winter. Some years I get away with just a presure wash and pop it back in, other years I give it a fresh coat of paint. Also, I only store at marinas this way where there is someone around all year to monitor the boats. I also keep a close on on her but that is really part of the enjoyment as I like spending time at my boat and the marina as long as I can easily access my boat as I can with it in the water. The winters have been so mild around here lately that the ice eaters (the propellar like devices which are suspended in the water and keep any ice from forming) raerly have even been needed to be turned on. Last year they were on only for a few hours a day for a one or two week period) I keep my shore power on and so my batteries can stay charged and I can run all my electrical devices over the winter. The way I look at it, boats are meant to be in the water, and meant to be used. The season is always to short as it is, if my boat was in warmer climate it would not be taken out of the water except for bottom work and then only for as long as the work takes. So it's a little chilly. Peering out of a portlight from inside a cozy cabin with a steaming mug of tea and watching the snow fall(If I am real luckey!) aint't so bad! Rick