PNWesters: When DOyou close up for winter?

stuartsw · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

My wife and I are new to cruising the PNW, and have just purchased a Hunter 36, which we're keeping on the Sound. As former East Coast sailors, we don't know much about closing up boats for an extended period of dock time. (Back East, we haul and bawl.)
Given the winter weather here in the PNW over the past two years, it seems doubtful that we'll get sailing weather in Dec-Feb, despite our excellent cabin heating system and full cockpit enclosure.

We've read some good advice from PNWesters about HOW to button up.
Typically in the Puget Sound, WHEN do you count on doing so?

And what, in your experience, is the one thing that you wished you had done when you went to open her up again?

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Speaking for ourselves, just north of you, we don't 'button' up for the winter. We put on a dehumidifier, a small heater, and take off things like the bbq and cockpit table etc, but otherwise the boat is ready to go, and we generally get out at least once a month throughout the winter season. Our YC schedules winter events (eg New Years Eve) at nearby marinas which helps to encourage us to tough it out.

erps · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

When we used to keep our boat on a mooring year 'round, we used to button her up in November. Take out all the cushions, carpet, clothing and the sails. Open up all the lockers and drain the water systems and then crack open some hatches for plenty of air movement. Put her back together in February.

If you're tied to a dock, Faster's advice will work for you. Keeping the air moving inside the boat is important year 'round.

negrini · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Never here

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by negrini

Never here

...braggart!

blt2ski · #6 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Button up?!?!?!?! excuse me! lot of racing to do tween now and April! even some cruising..................

Been sailing/boating since the 70's, granted took off the late 80's and 90's, but never have I buttoned up a boat and not used it year around!

I would as mentioned, recomend making sure you have plenty of ventilation or things will get moldy down below etc. Check on her every week or two if you do not use her, to make sure lines are solid, not fraying etc. Or some kind of leak that needs attending too. My twins sons and I went out last year for a new yrs sail! it twas a nice day. This year I may light up the boat and put her in the "holiday at the docks" in our guest moorage as part of a YC event in December. so the around vashion the first weekend in Dec will be out.......not sure if that is good or bad........

Marty

CharlieCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

I never button up for the Winter when I have a boat in the water. Ya have more risk of something freezing if ya haul out for Winter up here than if ya leave it in. Some of the best, if chilly, sailing happens in Winter here.

KeelHaulin · #8 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Buy foulies, warm gloves, warm shoes, jacklines, go sailing!! Don't forget the hot drinks and cup-o-noodles. (But we are a bit south of you on SF Bay).

tomhuntdmd · #9 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Lots of short cruises you can do all winter. We keep our boat in Poulsbo. Thats an easy day sail from Seattle with nice guest facilities at the Port docks. Last Feb., we had a nice sail to Gig harbor on a day that started with 2" of snow on the dock, but had blue sky and sunshine. Tacoma, Langley, Quartermaster harbor are other good destinations that are good weekend trips, esp with a full enclosure and a good heater.

Bilgewater · #10 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009

Like the rest of them, I go all winter long on a regular basis, the best sailing is just coming up. Aside from that, I keep all or at least most portlights open (I have plexiglass shields on each one that keeps the rain out but lets the air in). When on shore power, I keep one of those tall electric oil filled heaters going on low and a de-humidifier. I put on my heavy winter docklines and large fenders. That's about it and I've never really run into a problem. Mold is the biggest issue, you need to keep it out by having lots of air flow and a bit of heat.

Oh ya, I spray parts of my boat, particularly the hanging locker and other potential mold breeding grounds with this natural product: At Home - How It Works