In the water over the Winter

ericost · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

This is my first year with a boat, a Grampian 26. I was able to get a lot of sailing in over the summer, which was great, and now I have to think about Winter storage. Trouble is, I don't really want to store her...

I live in NYC, and currently keep my boat on the Hudson, neat the Tappan Zee bridge. My Marina will happily store her on land for the winter, but what I'd really like to do is to find a place I can keep her in the water, so I can take advantage of some of the good winds this Winter. I'll get her power washed in any case.

Does anybody out there in the NYC area keep their boat in the water through the winter? Can anybody offer any advice on where I might find a marina that would accommodate me? Or is this a bad idea?

(Related: do I need a marina? What rules govern how long I can keep my boat simply anchored at a recommended anchorage, or other suitable spot?)

Thanks in advance!

CrazyRu · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

There are quite a few marinas operate at winter and they have winter in-water storage. Getaway Marina in Brooklyn, Liberty landing Marina in Jersey City (short ride from the City). I believe marinas around Great Kills in Staten Island are available too. City Island in Bronx is a hub of life.

There do you recide? Residents of Brooklyn and Staten Island have an option of free/low coast mooring in Sheepshead Bay and Great Kills...

Rockter · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

Watch the horrors of freezing. Beware especially raw-water cooled motors. On one very cold night here.... -14 C, 7 degF.... my old motor froze, cracking the block.
It very rarely gets that cold here in Scotland, but it could have been the end of the motor.

ericost · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

Thanks guys. I live in Astoria Queens, so City island would probably be the most convenient to me. Any suggestions on finding a marina with in-water storage there? Also, am I likely to have to rent a slip, or is it possible to keep a boat at a mooring over the winter?

tommays · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

Do to the fact that it is a sure thing that it will freeze over at some point many places require that moorings are pulled every year

For the most part boats that stay in are kept at marinas with bubble systems to stop ice damage and these days there is a rider on the contract about extra cost on the amount of days you need to run the bubble system

I have NEVER meant anybody that did anything but frostbite racing with a drysuit and a crash boat through a NY winter it just gets to dangerous

ericost · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

Thanks tommays. So it sounds like winter sailing is maybe not such a great idea for a newbie like me.

I found this interesting thread on the topic: cruisersforum.com/forums/f19/winter-sailing-boston-or-ny-5875.html (I can't include a link to it because of the forum rules for new members).

I would be very interested to hear from anybody with experience winter sailing in the NYC area, or links to any other existing threads on the subject.

Thanks again!

CrazyRu · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

There are some marinas in Flushing Bay. I know that Worlds fair marina is state owned facility with reasonable rates. They have winter in-water storage.

World's Fair Marina : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

I'm planning to keep my boat in-water this winter. I didn't do it before here in NYC(I kept my "big" boat in the South) so it's going to be my first year too. However I do sail year around in small dingy... there are many good weather sunny days in winter, no single reason to skip them