The next winter is sure to come", a saying full of truth, but with special meaning for every boat owner. Because this is the time when the boat should be taken out of the water and stored on land or in the hall. But does it really have to be? Is it really necessary to crane the yacht out of the water and deposit it on land every year?
Not at all, we say, because it's no problem at all to simply leave the good piece to freeze. This not only saves crane and winter storage costs, but also extends the season considerably. Why not take the risk of a short trip on a clear day in December and catch the first warming rays of sunshine on board at the end of February, before warming up again with a hot toddy? The tranquillity of nature at this time of year, the solitude on the water and the certainty that you have it all to yourself is a great pleasure and a completely new experience for the skipper.
In any case, it can be assumed that winters will be somewhat milder in future due to climate change and that really biting cold will only freeze the water at the jetty for short periods of time. There may therefore be little reason not to leave the boat in the harbour basin during the winter, provided that a few important points are observed.
First of all, we need to clarify in which harbour we are moored. Is it free of tidal range and press ice? Does the wind have free access or is it shielded and the berth protected? Otherwise, press ice and ice floes can easily form, which is not necessarily good for the hull, but more so for the paintwork.
Is there possibly a shore power connection that we can use all year round? This would give us the opportunity to heat the boat from time to time to reduce the humidity. Is the harbour possibly even equipped with an underwater air jet system that keeps the berths around the jetties free of ice? As can be seen, for example, at the Hamburg Yacht Club on the Tatenberger Deich. If we can answer that in the affirmative, the question arises as to what type of ship we are dealing with.
Regardless of the construction material, both steel and plastic boats can be launched into the ice without hesitation. In the Nordic countries all the way up to Greenland, hardly anyone takes their boat out of the water out of sheer convenience, which even applies to those with an outboard motor. They are simply folded up and only in rare cases are they preserved. However, we see things differently. Small and lightweight sports boats with outboards or those with a sterndrive should ideally be set down on trailers or trestles on land. It is advisable to dismantle the outboard motor (up to 25 hp), preserve it well and store it in a dry place. Then you won't have any surprises next season.
The "bigger lumps" with internal engines and shaft drive are quite different. Here, each owner must decide for himself how robust his yacht is and what he can expect from the construction. However, if it is a wooden boat, caution is definitely advised. The sheer size plays an important role here. Heavy oak cutters can withstand a lot, but a delicate historical rarity is definitely best kept indoors.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE TOPICOVERWINTERING IN WATERFINDWITH CHECKLIST IN THENOVEMBER ISSUE FROM BOATS THATNOW IN THE TRADE.
