On the hard

[mstailey]

Well folks it's about that time of year to start the process of pulling the boat for the season. You lucky sun belt captains may wish to move on to the next topic but all opinions are most welcomed.

I'm looking for the pros and cons of storing in heated -vs- outside. Price or availability is not the issue for either or, rather what is best for the boat.

I've been told the cold air outside aids in drying what ever is wet on the inside of the boat (my first thought was what about freezing?)

I've done both in the past.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Most of the yards in Chicago gaurantee (?) 50 deg F for heated inside storage, AT A PREMIUM. My gas boat is inside COLD at Seneca, IL for $700 plus moving.Sure beat 2 days of building a frame and tarping. Still had to winterize tho. I wouldnt trust a heated building here-- what about a power loss etc??? The only cold/damp damage I ever encountered was a mildewed life ring-- thats what TILEX is for. Good Luck, sow bunny !!! ws ( snow bird now )

 

[ohiohatteras]

Yikes! It's that time of year already??
Anyway....I've been inside cold for the last 10 years without any real issues. When I put her away, I always make sure to open EVERY hatch, cabinet & door and leave about 4 Damp Rids inside. Then about 1/2 way thru winter, I make a special trip up to "visit" and replace the Damp Rids.
The only real "problem" I have had is if I pick a really warm day in early April to attempt to wax the hull, there's usually some moisture on it which makes waxing a bit difficult.
I also agree that I woud winterize the boat regardless of heated or not...a loss of power and frozen water will do extensive damage!

 

[egaito]

Pulling my boat out for winter....what a truelly depressing thought....

You poor souls.....

 

[rangerscott275]

does your season really end this early? When does it start getting cold in MI?

 

[mstailey]

Most start the pull after Labor day, thru Sept. My marina states all boats must be out of the water no later than Oct 15 which is 8 weeks away. Considering most of the marinas around here pretty much have the same policy (the ones I know of) you need to start to get in line. My marina has already sent the winter contracts and wants them signed and sent in with the initial deposit by the end of this month.

Yep, it sucks but a fact of life.

 

[chris]

I store inside heated in IL. But I don't go into storage until first of November. I enjoy fall boating as much or more than summer.
With inside heated I am able to spend weekends doing maintinance and other projects on the boat. This winter I plan on installing teak floors. It's nice to walk into the building on a cold winter day and pull off the heavy coat to shirt sleeves and spend the day working on the boat. I also enjoy my winter projects on the boat almost as much as summer boating. I don't think I would like to be in a area with year around boating season, because even with our 7 month season here at the end of the season I feel I am getting behind on maintaince. When the season ends I am happy and look forward to 5 months of just me and the boat and my tools with no guests around.
The building I store in has a backup generator so I don't winterize. It cost $5000.00 for the winter for my 48MY. But no shrink wrap or systems winterization make it reasonable. In all it is well worth for me.
Chris

 

[rangerscott275]

I guess you're right.....Oct 15th is the end for me as well, just felt like that was a world away but as you point out, it's not that far!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I'm out Oct 15 to April 15 and in heated storage. I love the heated barn because I can go work on the boat at anytime in just jeans and t-shirt. I can paint the bottom, wax, or any project where I am. The only requirement is that you tarp if you are sanding or making any mess. I spent about 250hrs last winter installing new toilets and revamping the heads. With the heat I was able to wallpaper and put down new flooring too.

I also think heating actually aids in drying. My hull had a rash below the waterline from the PO always storing in the water bubbled. After one winter on the hard with a heated floor under her, the rash was gone. I expected to see it again in the fall, but it never came back.

It's also nice to plug her in and turn on the stereo and stand at the helm and dream of spring.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Absolutely better in heated storage. Same as Sky - I have gotten a lot of work done in the barn from 11/1 to 4/7. Heated air is dryer than outside cold air so it dries things out better. This year we're going to Florida instead, and will finish the circle route up the east coats and back to Chicago next summer.

 

[smoothmove]

I'm going outside for the first time. Previously went with inside heated, which certainly has its advantages. The big deciding factor being that the boat is closer now and I can wait for some decent weather to go do some work. On a pleasant winter day (we have a few) you can't beat being outside working on things.

From the standpoint of what is better for the boat, I just don't see how you can do better than inside heated. Even at 50 degrees the air in the heated barn is going to be relatively dry for most of the heating season, and your things will dry out. If your boat is not going through 50 degree temperature swings, it seems logical that the woodwork and finish is going to be less stressed. I doubt the fiberglass cares much as long as things are dry. You ought to check what your yard will allow and not allow you to do. You don't want to look over and see your inside neighbor grinding fiberglass and raising a cloud of dust that settles on your newly finished brightwork. Some of the yards won't allow you to do much more than waxing and washing. Of course, some of these restrictions are a good thing. You don't need some guy splattering acetone around while he keeps warm with a catalytic heater. (I've seen it) Although there are differing views on whether this creates prolbems, your fuel tanks and gas/diesel fuel will not be going through thermal cycles.

If price and availability are not factors, I think the boat would do better inside and heated. My last choice would be inside cold.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

does your season really end this early? When does it start getting cold in MI?

Next week...It is pretty much a given that you need to be out by mid October. By then your nose is dripping while you put the boat away. All of our cheap insurance policies require the boat out from Nov.1 to April 1.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I have the perfect answer. Move the boat to Miami. Pascal knows what he is talking about. That place solves all your problems. Of course you have the salt water issue, and our insurance will go from $1000 to $4000. Our mooring fees will double and our paint will be punished. But to be able to use your Hat all year, priceless. We always kept our 36 inside heated. It cost us $2600. Shure you can worry about loss of heat, but they do have insurance. I like to work on the boat all winter and I am getting too old for the outdoor, drippy nose stuff.

 

[Genesis]

I used to live up there. Born and raised on the Great Lakes, and lived there until I moved to Florida in 2000.

I never could fathom a reason to own a boat like a Hatteras up there. Memorial Day to Labor Day is roughly your season. That's a lot of coin for not much time..... and the costs there are hideous with heated shed charges and such - your WINTER storage is equal to our year-round slip costs!

Anyway, I had a boat - a small one - when I lived up there.

Besides, I've always hated snow....

 

[bobk]

Go south, young man.. or, old man.

We made the trek from Baltimore to the Keys each year since 2001 in our single screw trawler. This year we will do it in the 48 series I MY, at 8 knots!!! Supposed to burn 5gph at that speed. Will let you know. We leave just as soon as the redecorating is done, probably mid October. Yes, I know, crank up the engines each day to clean them out. Wish us luck.

Any other Hatts going?

Bob

PS, fuel was $2.24 on the Middle River this weekend, and 1.96 in Portsmouth.

 

[luckydave215]

$1.96 for fuel? WOW! In San Diego it's over 4 bucks. Most of the guys around here run the 60 miles south to Ensenada (Mexico) to get it for $2.00
Of course, you have to buy a lot to make it worth it, but I take on over 1,000 gallons at a time, so it's worth the trip.

 

[Trojan]

I dock up in Toledo Ohio. I never go on the hard before Nov 1. I like fall boating and I go back in the water April 1. I winter out and do all my winterizing. I would stay in longer but that is the insurance limits.



BILL

 

[mstailey]

Thanks folks.
The survey says heated so heated it is!

Karl(Genesis) - yep, you make some good points however, we can get slips up here and insurance to boot!

Maynard - Aren't you heading south after labor day? I've got to get my butt over to your area and get that picture autographed by you!

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Thanks folks.
The survey says heated so heated it is!

Karl(Genesis) - yep, you make some good points however, we can get slips up here and insurance to boot!

Maynard - Aren't you heading south after labor day? I've got to get my butt over to your area and get that picture autographed by you!

I am leaving Mike, but I will be back in mid October. The boat gets to bask in the Miami sun, but I have to come back to get everything ready for winter.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I used to live up there. Born and raised on the Great Lakes, and lived there until I moved to Florida in 2000.

I never could fathom a reason to own a boat like a Hatteras up there. Memorial Day to Labor Day is roughly your season. That's a lot of coin for not much time..... and the costs there are hideous with heated shed charges and such - your WINTER storage is equal to our year-round slip costs!

Anyway, I had a boat - a small one - when I lived up there.

Besides, I've always hated snow....

Ahh, but our insurance is cheap and the lack of salt keeps the maintenance costs down. Cost per day of usage may actually be about the same.