Winterize or keep the boat in the water?

[bossross]

This was my first full year with the boat. I'm very tempted not to have the boat hauled out of the water and winterized, but rather keep it in the water for the winter. The cost of the slip for the winter is much less expensive than the winterization.

My thinking is that if we get a mild winter like we have had recently, I can get a fair amount of fishing done over the winter and I'd hate like heck to have the boat up on blocks in 50 and 60 degree weather.

What's the downside to doing this? The marina I'm working with says that they have many folks in the water all year, they claim there's enough current to keep the water from freezing and causing a problem.

Am I overlooking something that may be a problem?

Thanks
Ross

[IrishAyes]

Hi Ross,
I left my boat in one year.  Fortunately, it was a mild winter with only two snows.  I was down every weekend checking on the boat.

If the boat is in the water unless you are hooked up to electricity and have a charger hooked up to your batteries, you have to be concerned with the batteries running down and making your bilge pumps useless as they would have no power to run them if needed.

You still have to be concerned if there is any water in the water jackets of the motor.  Boat in or out of the water and motor not winterized. 

If it snows the boat will fill with snow and then the snow will probably harden and block your scuppers, keeping any melting snow from draining.  The added weight of any accumulated snow will lower the boat in the water.

Keeping the boat in the water will also enhance the occurance of the hull blistering.  The fiberglass will be water saturated.

True, people do leave their boats in for the winter. But I think for the peace of mind, unless you will be going to the boat VERY often take it out and avoid a worrysome winter.

Just my opinion.

[Luna Sea 5]

well, all your wells with freeze along with any water that is left in the engines.  Its a risk, but it has been done.  I wouldn't reccomend it with the cost of boating these days.

[bossross]

Thank you for your advice. I absolutely respect your experience. (That's why I asked).... the temptation of fishing longer into the season is great, but as you point out, the issues and potential damage is probably too great...

Ross

[CapBob]

Ross

I was in until Dec 10th last year and plan to a least stay in until then if not longer.....last year we were jigging Strippers on New YEars day in T-Shirts.

If the weather turns bad it only takes me a day to get the boat out and winterized (I d it myself)