La Conner Christmas Boat Parade

erps · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008

We took the boat into town and tied up to a dock near the pub to watch the annual boat parade. It started snowing around the time the parade started. This is what we woke up to this morning. Cold!

jrd22 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008

Doesn't sound like it's going to warm up any time soon either-
NE 25-35K with gusts to 60 thru tomorrow night and colder, lows 10-16F.

The Christmas ship with Santa Claus arrived this afternoon at Blakely Island, we had hot cider and a pot luck for the Lions Club from Bellingham that does this every year. The 100' boat that they were on while crossing Haro St. was moving so violently that several of them were seasick and one man was injured when he was tossed airborne and landed on a chair.

djodenda · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008

OK.. This is a slight thread hijack..

Right now I have two of those small moisture removers/heaters on my boat in Edmonds.... Probably 200 watts between them...

It's gonna be cold... Do I need to do something more over the next couple days to keep my boat from freezing?

I'm pretty reluctant to put a "real" space heater in there, due to the risk of fire..

I'd appreciate your advice.

Thanks,

David

Faster · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008

David - I wouldn't worry about putting a quality heater (with a properly protected circuit and a heavy duty extension cord) on your boat for the next week or so.. this is gonna be a cold one for a while yet.

We drove up to Squamish to take part in the SQ YC Christmas Carol cruise this past weekend, below is what we saw on Howe Sound from the highway. The pic really doesn't do it justice, a nearby station (Pam Rocks) was recording steady wind in the 40s, gusts to 54 knot at the time.

In the end the cruise was cancelled (blowing up to 38 knots at the marina too) and we simply partied in the clubhouse.

erps · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008

Oh, geez! Can you imagine the wind chill out there.

Quote:

I'm pretty reluctant to put a "real" space heater in there, due to the risk of fire..

It's spooky to leave an electric space heater on, but I feel a lot better about these newer ones. I drained most of the water out of the water pump, which is out in the cockpit locker. I put a trouble light in that locker right next to the water pump to protect that. In the cabin, I have a small ceramic electric heater that has a low and hi setting. On low, I think it's only 500 watts or something like that. I worry more about a power outage down at the dock more than an electrical fire. The electrical system on the boat can handle running the water heater and the battery charger running full bore, so it ought to handle a small watt space heater just fine.

jrd22 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008

I'm hoping to be able to move the boat back into the marina tomorrow after the minus tide tonight so I can hook up the electric heater. I've had to run the diesel furnace since Friday night to keep things from freezing, and I really don't like to leave it on when I'm not on the boat, but haven't had an option. Now if the wind will just die down enough to get it in the slip I can rest easy, unless the power goes out. Winter sucks, and it's still officially only fall!

Faster, good call to cancel going out, beautiful picture but man does that look cold!

John

djodenda · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008

OK... Space heater is getting turned on tomorrow..

Thanks, all...

David

artbyjody · #8 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008

David - just make sure you have something to handle the moisture that will be generated. Dehumidifier or that chemical / ball stuff that West Marine sells (which does work ok)... otherwise all you will have is condensation to deal with - and not pretty ....

You'll be ok with your boat as most everything has adequate "insulation" for the core components. Space heater in the saloon (most of your boats water systems are there) will fair you well... Just close the remaining seacocks you have - and things will be a-ok...

JohnRPollard · #9 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by artbyjody

David - just make sure you have something to handle the moisture that will be generated...

Another trick that has worked well for us is to run a few cabin fans with the electric heater on. The circulation of the air seems to minimize condensation on cold surfaces. (But our boat has an "open" interior, so it's easy to get the air circulating in a consistent vortex -- might not work as well in a compartmentalized boat).

P.S. Erps and Faster, Great photos!! I believe those reported windspeeds too -- no thanks!

Faster · #10 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

Another trick that has worked well for us is to run a few cabin fans with the electric heater on. The circulation of the air seems to minimize condensation on cold surfaces. (But our boat has an "open" interior, so it's easy to get the air circulating in a consistent vortex -- might not work as well in a compartmentalized boat).

P.S. Erps and Faster, Great photos!! I believe those reported windspeeds too -- no thanks!

If you can get a hold of some recycled computer muffin fans they work great.. low power draw, quiet, and just enough air movement without lowering the wind chill

JR - we're into a week of sub zero (C) conditions here - relatively rare but mild by east coast standards I'm sure..... Plenty cold enough for us!!