Winter Haulout

[Bluey]

(Please don't throw rotten fish at me for bringing this up) : When is anyone along the Chesapeake hauling their baby for the winter? I'm an absolute newb, so bear with me - is it better to haul late so your pride and joy is closer to the front of the parking lot when warm weather hits in March/April, or do you pretend it's like removing a band-aid, and just get the hauling over with ASAP? I'll need zincs, waxing (blue hull), bottom paint (2nd year just passed), winterization, nonskid repainted, shaft inspection, maybe repair to the hardtop and gelcoat crack in front of the port windshield. I'm one of those OCD types who frets when something isn't perfect.

[DougSea]

Last Out - First In!!

At least that's always my PLAN. Doesn't always work out that way.

If you do have a bunch of projects scheduled you should take a look at lead times, supplies, weather imapcts, etc. and get every thing lined up as soon as possible so you don't find yourself waiting on the marina to finish work in the spring when you want to be back in the water.

[Panhdjoe]

Come on down south where boating never ends

[Carl]

I am on Kent Island as well and I will haul out (depending on weather) the first or second week of December. That said, you need to keep an eye out for the weather forecasts and be ready to act in case of a prolonged cold blast which we sometimes get in November. In early November I will winterize the freshwater system and livewell, and if really cold the raw water wash down. I try to leave the reverse cycle heat unless its really cold, and then I will do that if needed. It is easy to do, and once it warms back up I will use it again and redo when I need to. This allows me to extend my fishing when the big boys show back up in November!

[Butch]

I just saw the Oct, Nov forecast. I think I will be boating til January. This is the best time of the year, good sleeping and good fishing(I hope)

[pathorm]

In Annapolis, we always haul in November, and put it back in the water the first of April. Our boatyard always pressure washes the bottom as they haul it out, and then it is up to us to remove barnacles, sand, replace zincs, paint, etc. We get it washed and waxed before it goes back into the water too. Hope this helps.

[chiefrcd]

I'm in Deltaville and I leave my boat in all winter. I do winterize it and I'm under a covered slip but I actually go down and spend some time on it when I can.

[furball]

Bluey,
Winterize everything in mid November. It's fairly straight forward. I try to be last out, mid December, and first in as well but that creates some complications. It can be tougher to get gelcoat, fiberglass and paint work done when it's cold. I shrink wrap to the rub rail so I can wash and wax the hull when we get the occasional nice winter weekend. We're thinking of moving our boat to Kent Island next spring, hope to see you on the water.
John

[glk34]

Come on up to eastern Canada, regardless of when you come out you can be in as soon as the ice goes out the end of April. The advantage of trailerable does allow in/out when you want. Not too many boats up here so you don't end up at the back of the marina. We have lots of space for our US friends and things are cheap, did I say cheap--how bout $600 a year for a walk on slip. $130 for electricity if you need to run your AC for all 3 days. $100 for yard storage. I know you are wondering what's the catch?

Chris
Iron Jack A25

[jcollins]

maybe repair to the hardtop and gelcoat crack in front of the port windshield

Is this actual damage or stress cracks? Do you have leaks? You many want to discuss with others in the maintenance forum before you pay for repairs.

Most of the other stuff you are talking about is a few weekends of work. I''ll pull mid-November this year. We get so busy in December I don't really use the boat. But, a fall cruise on the Sassafras is a yearly event.
Back in at the end of March.

[Bluey]

I couldn't stand watching the weather like a nervous nellie for a cold snap, so she's coming out sometime after Oct 17. Sniffle sniffle. And here I was just learning how to get her back into the slip. She'll prly be at the back of the lot, so who knows when she'll be free to romp in the water again. We were near Pittsburgh this weekend, where the temp Sunday was 46. So the frosties are comin.

[Russell]

Don't forget that for a boat the water temperature is the most important. You can winterize everything but the engine and use the boat until the water is near freezing. An overnight frost will not do any damage because it takes so long to lower the water temperature and the warm water is on top.

[gerygarcia]

Most years I haul out Thanksgiving weekend. My boat insurance requires the boat to be out before Dec. 1st.

This year will probably see it hauling out much earlier, maybe end of October Too many things in November coming up)

[Yearwood]

Bluey. We have been using poly glo on our blue hull. Three years ago we were getting ready for a emron job and now it looks great. This year we used the poly glo on the white pilothouse ... mistake. We haul in November, sometimes in December.