Whisper approaches Kingston
It’s time to tuck Whisper away for the winter. Even though she’s a sailboat, leaving her out in the cold, wind, and rain over several months will cause deterioration. So here’s what I’m doing to let her sleep safe and snug until next spring. (What do you do with your boat when winter arrives?)
Motor: Flush with fresh water, make sure it runs. Run the motor until warm, then disconnect the fuel line and run it until all fuel is consumed. Add stabilizer to the fuel tank, and try to use that fuel in the lawn mower (start with fresh fuel next spring)! Check the oil, change it next spring. Remove the motor and store it.
Interior: Remove all cushions, PFDs, propane/butane canisters, clothing, bedding, etc. Clean the interior. Consider flushing the bilge with a bleach-water mixture. Double-check that ports and hatches are well secured. Double-check that all food items are removed. Add potable water disinfectant to water system. Remove portable toilet, clean, recharge, and store indoors. Hang a pest strip inside.
Rigging and sails: Label the shrouds, then disconnect them. Remove the roller furler from the mast. Remove sheets. Remove the mast and wash it with car soap that contains wax. Replace the mast on the bow pulpit and mast crutch. Store all other components out of the weather, indoors if possible.
Exterior: Give it a quick wash to remove any mold or mildew that might be gaining a foothold. Slap some oil on the teak to make springtime prep a little easier.
Trailer: Check tires. Make a winter pad on the back lawn with some weedblock, lay some short lengths of 2 x 10 on the weedblock, and move the trailer tires onto the boards to reduce deterioration. If time permits, jack up the trailer and spin the wheels to listen to the wheel bearings. Liberally lubricate all movable parts and joints.
Tarp: Use a tarp long enough to cover the entire boat, including enough length to pull the ends together at the bow and stern. (I like to use a cheap blue tarp because the solar vent receives enough energy through the thin tarp to run on sunny winter days. A blue tarp is only good for one season.) Get a tarp wide enough to wrap under the trailer. Secure with bungies and rope. Pad items subject to damage, such as the GPS antenna.
Heater: Although it wastes energy to heat the boat over the winter, the combination of low heat and the solar vent eliminates mold and mildew buildup while the boat is stored. I use a very small fan-forced electric heater set to come on somewhere between freezing and about 40 degrees. This heats the boat during the coldest nights to prevent freezing.
Monthly: Check inside the boat! I check daily for the first week or so, to make the sure heater only comes on when it gets quite chilly.
What do you do with your boat when winter arrives?
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Stephen said his halyards and sheets need to be washed. He’ll replace the “O” ring on the bilge drain. Using an “air dryer” from Seattle Marine to keep the interior dry, with a treated canvas tarp over the top.
Dan was told by his Honda mechanics to not run all the fuel out of the motor. He uses surgical tubing to siphon out any water left in the drain tubes.
Ron uses a silver tarp as it lasts two or three seasons. He stores his mast in the garage.
Jim labeled his lines as he took them off the boat for the winter (smart!).