[KennyB]

Hey everyone, I've got a catalina22 and am getting ready to launch her for the first time.My initial thoughts were to sail , then keep on the trailer with mast up when not in use. One person told me this was not a good idea.Your experienced advise would be most helpfull. thanks

 

[Sailormon6]

It's a very common practice. Just be sure there aren't any low hanging electric lines over the parking lot.

 

[rgscpat]

Some yacht and sailing clubs, marinas, etc., have mast-up storage lots with an unobstructed path to a boat ramp or launch hoist/crane. If you can keep the boat in such a place, then you can have the convenience of keeping your rig up. Houston Yacht Club is one example that has a large area where boats can be stored. I believe your boat is too big for the Seabrook Sailing Club, which is for dinghies (centerboard boats).
-- There are special boat covers made for use when the mast is up.
--If you are going to be away from the boat for a long period, you could put messenger lines on your halyards and run them down out of the brutal Texas sun.
-- Of course, if a named storm approaches the area, you'd want to de-rig to either move your boat inland or at least reduce windage and damage.
-- It might be a good idea to visit the boat often enough to discourage bugs or critters from taking up residence within.
--Otherwise, if you don't have access to a good mast-up lot, the results might, unfortunately, be a bit of a shock.
-- Maybe you could revive this old-ish thread in trailersailor:
Galveston Bay/Clear Lake marinas for trailer sailboats

 

[SHNOOL]

Yep, mast-up dry storage is a less expensive way to "store" your boat usually... you do need to launch it of course, and most dry lot storage for sailboats has a clear path free of overhead wires (a huge requirement), and the Catalina 22 is an easy boat to trailer launch. The mast really is the big work. So it's a viable option if you can find such a lot. yes it does require you to maintain your trailer, especially bearings and tires (can't tell you how many trailers I saw in the dry lot incapable of getting their boats to the water due to flat tires, or blown bearings).

Ditto on the watching for bug buildup, and critters.. they love to nest while the boat sits on the hard.

 

[Minnewaska]

It's very common to store mast up. With the larger windage of the mast, it can put stress on the stands/trailer. Be sure yours is well secure.

If you're a first timer, also be sure to tie the halyards away from the mast, so they don't slap, while you're away. Can really tick people off.

 

[capt jgwinks]

Just don't raise the sails on the trailer. Saw a guy do that at a launch ramp once. Result was tragically funny. Don't know how they got the boat back on the trailer as it was still laying on its side in the parking lot when I had to leave.

 

[jwing]

I "drysail" my O'Day Mariner. Not only is it less expensive than a slip, it is also decreases boat maintenance, since the bottom of my boat does not get fouled. No bird poop like the slipped boats get. I did get bugs until I sprayed the boat with a product called Viper. I have since switched to Listerine in a spray bottle, and that works well, too.

It takes me about five minutes to hook the trailer to my car, put the boat in the water, then park the car/trailer. Ten to fifteen minutes to put the boat back in the trailer and back it into its parking spot.

When I was considering the options of dry storage or a slip, the dockmaster/local sailboat repair guy told me that almost all the swing keel problems that the's ever seen resulted from boats that are stored on the water with the keel down.

On the other hand, at my marina, I don't think that there is a single Catalina 22 kept on a trailer, but there are several that are kept in slips. You may benefit from going to the C22 owners forum and ask the same question.

 

[krisscross]

I would store it with a mast up and the trailer lifted on cinder blocks under frame (as opposed to sitting wheels and tires). Much more stable and safer that way.

 

[jwing]

I would store it with a mast up and the trailer lifted on cinder blocks under frame (as opposed to sitting wheels and tires). Much more stable and safer that way.

That reminds me...all the trailer-stored boats at my marina are blocked with wood and/or concrete blocks. Generally, the blocking is placed at the back of the trailer and the trailer jack is cranked up until the trailer in solidly supported by the blocks, but the wheels are still on the ground. Adding blocking and lifting the wheels of the ground sounds like a good idea.

The height of the blocks is set to ensure that any rain falling in the cockpit will roll down to the cockpit drains or scuppers. Usually, that means that the stern is kept a little low.

In my boat, the drains are at the forward end of the cockpit, so my bow is kept a little low. The marina manager, bless his heart, noticed that my boat was slanted at what he thought was the wrong way, so he adjusted my blocking and cranked my trailer jack up until the stern was low. After a period of heavy rain, we had a deep freeze. When I went to check on the boat, I found the cockpit had flooded deep enough so that water could enter the seat hatch. The aft end of my boat was a solid chunk of ice.

 

[krisscross]

In my boat, the drains are at the forward end of the cockpit, so my bow is kept a little low. The marina manager, bless his heart, noticed that my boat was slanted at what he thought was the wrong way, so he adjusted my blocking and cranked my trailer jack up until the stern was low. After a period of heavy rain, we had a deep freeze. When I went to check on the boat, I found the cockpit had flooded deep enough so that water could enter the seat hatch. The aft end of my boat was a solid chunk of ice.

Yes, drainage can be a big problem, especially in winter. And a cockpit full of water can flood the boat and even crush the hull where it is supported by the bunk boards of the trailer. I use a tarp over cockpit for the winter, with the tarp draped over some pvc pipes to make sure it will shed water and snow. A $10 tarp can save you a lot of expensive repairs.

 

[SHNOOL]

I usually use floor jacks (the 5 stage adjustable kind) to support the aft end of the trailer. My most recent trailer is taller than the floor jacks!

If you are storing for a long period (winter), or working on the boat while on the trailer, I certainly would block it.. I dunno I'd do it between weekly trips to the boat all summer though. I guess it depends on how often you get there. The theory of blocking the wheels off the ground is an RVer type theory. Leaving bumps in the tires from sitting, usually goes along with long term storage and covering the tires from UV damage.

Mine is way more practical... if you don't block the aft end of the trailer, and you board, or walk aft in the boat while its on the trailer, you can force the trailer into negative tongue weight, and it'll be a scary ride while the whole boat/trailer instantly tilts back! This is less of an issue with a dual axle, if the weight distribution is correct. But I've seen it more than I care to admit (even did it a few times myself on my 14)... so now I block so the trailer don't tilt!

 

[krisscross]

With the mast up, if your trailer tire goes flat, your mast can hit another rig if boats are sitting close to one another on the lot. For long term storage blocking both ends of the trailer is an easy and cheap insurance. Helps to extend the life of tires as well (along with keeping them covered).

 

[Stumble]

All this talk about blocking is nice in theory, but I have never seen any yacht clu storage yard where it is done. Placing a few blocks under the aft end of the trailer to keep the boat from tilting back is pretty common, but trying to lift the boat off the tires is just silly.

 

[KennyB]

Thanks guys. I felt that it was ok but wanted to check. I'm keeping the boat in a dry slip now. the boat is about 100 ft from the ramp and as soon as I get some last minute touches complete, I'll have it in the water at least once a week. I live 5 minutes away. I'm really glad I found this site. thanks for the great responses. hopefully, I'll figure out how to post some pics or video once I get .