Wood boats in winter

   Hi,
if you absolutely have to leave your wooden boat outside over winter, (its a racing mirror in good nick!) any tips from other sailors ? Is it best upside down, raised off concrete on old tyres with a tarpaulin over, or just left on the trailer with a good cover on ?
Cheers
D

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djdhi Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Oct 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote djdhi Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Wood boats in winter Posted: 03 Nov 07 at 10:23pm
	Hi, if you absolutely have to leave your wooden boat outside over winter, (its a racing mirror in good nick!) any tips from other sailors ? Is it best upside down, raised off concrete on old tyres with a tarpaulin over, or just left on the trailer with a good cover on ? Cheers D

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 07 at 10:44pm
	I've left mine outside for two years now and it hasn't suffered much, I think right way up with a decent mastup/boom up cover would be all right, might be worth a check every week or so to bail out if there's heavy rain.
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6625	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 9:27am
	If you can arrange things with props and so on so that no cover and nothing absorbent ever touches the deck/hull surface it would be a big improvement. Biggest mistake I ever made was I left a boat upside down in such a way that water could sit on the underside of the decks. I had to give up and rip the decks off in the end, they were just trashed. I now rent a lock up garage locally. It takes about three years to use up the cost of the ply for replacement decks... Edited by JimC

sailor_420 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 19 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Post Options Post Reply Quote sailor_420 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 11:14am
	yeah dont let the cover rest on the deck when its wet, make sure its propped up! Our cadet has water damage on the bow leaving a horrible colour on the bow, yet another winter job!

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 916	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 2:23pm
	Breathable cover is essential. If you're keeping it at home next to the house is good as the ambient warmth and shelter will prevent frost forming. It is also essential to take the cover (Breathable or not) off at least once a fortnight to let the boat air. This can also help prevent frost damage.

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 8:01pm
	I always used to store my mirrors upside -down on tyres to let the air circulate There is no danger of water getting trapped that way.

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 9:18pm
	It's a pain if you want to sail them then though
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

sailor_420 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 19 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Post Options Post Reply Quote sailor_420 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 9:33pm
	Make something to keep the cover off the decks and open inspection hatches. If your not planning on using it for a while turn upside down so the water doesnt get on to the decks. I think thats it...

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Nov 07 at 9:48pm
	If upside down, don't let water settle on the underside of the gunwales, or they will rot.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686