Wet vs dry winter storage

Njlarry

Njlarry

Well-Known Member
May 9, 2021
646
Rock Hall, MD. Chesapeake bay
Boat Info
2000 400 DB
AT LAST
Engines
Cat 3126
Hate to admit it but it is time to think about winter storage for new to us boat. There are very few options for inside storage so that leaves on the hard or covered shed in the water. No idea of costs yet.
Would like to hear from others thoughts and experiences.
 
We keep our boat on the hard in the open all year in Washington. Cost with power is 3,500. Blow the water lines down, put pink in toilets. Run pink through the cooling system on all engines. Put battery charger at 10% rate. Place four 100 watt air dry heaters in main cabins. Been doing it since 2013 and no problems. From 2000 to 2013 we kept the boat in the water. We just left the boat as last used and had no problems. In retrospect we probably should have close all sea valves; but never had any problems.
 
Having done this for a few years now, I've decided against it for this season. For me the biggest concern wasn't the threat of ice damaging the hull. We address that by running multiple ice eaters. The biggest issue I think is the wind and how it beats on the shrink-wrap. First its not very easy to get a nice tight fit if wrapped in the water. If you are in an area that is exposed to the wind your cover will take beating which then puts stress on your frame which then transfers that load to your deck/gelcoat, bow rails etc. So if you can tuck it somewhere that is not exposed to the wind and can find a good wrap crew I think its a great option. My marina has power and Wi-Fi so I was able to remotely monitor it over the winter. Also placed a bilge heater in the ER to keep it at 40 deg.
 
I'm on the upper Chesapeake and alternate each winter. 50' covered slips in my marina go for around $1800 for 11/15 to 4/15. I may know of a slip for rent this winter if interested.
 
Larry, guessing you from Jersey. Probably upper Chesapeake. We aint had a snow event in 5 years. I put on my cockpit cover and thats all. I close to marina so IF we got snow i can clear it off quickly. Hundreds of boats at marina last winter shrink wrapped, at large cost, for nothing. There are a lot of marinas in our area that wont let you put all that wrap in their dumpsters. You have to recycle it. Dont know your boat but thinking sedan bridge dont need to wrap.
Realize that summer sun UV rays are way harder on a boat than snow on cloudy winter days.
PS. Some may mention ice as a reason to shrink wrap and they be right. Its a tough call every year.
 
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it's not just snow on the boat. Rain or melting snow will enter the drain system and then has the potential to freeze.
Covering the boat keeps the drainage system dry.
 
quality time said:
I'm on the upper Chesapeake and alternate each winter. 50' covered slips in my marina go for around $1800 for 11/15 to 4/15. I may know of a slip for rent this winter if interested.
Click to expand...
Very interested why every other year? Difference in spring chores? Please PM me eith slip.
Pirate lady, how to winter cover will be another discusion as I think maybe coveting bridge and cockpit is most important. Shrink wrap the whole boat for four months of short days, not sure the benefit on non wood boats. But this cruiser thing is all new to me.
 
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