Winter in Seattle

[FabioC]

Hi,

This is going to be our first winter in Seattle. We are inclined to keep the boat in the water, since we are seeing that the majority of boats in our marina are staying through the winter. A few are getting hauled out, though.

I understand it is ultimately a matter of preferences/cost, but what makes the most sense for the Seattle Winter? What are the considerations?

Also, if the boat is kept in the water, what winterizing steps make sense in Seattle?

Thank you,
Fabio

[sea1ljs]

Hi Fabio,

Welcome to Seattle. You didn't mention where you have your boat moored, Lk Union (fresh water) or Puget Sound area (salt water). Either way there are really no concerns regarding hauling out. Unlike the east coast where the water can/does freeze, rarely does ice occur in the PNW waters and even then it's just spotty surface ice. In the 30 plus years I've been living aboard here I've seen surface ice maybe twice. And that includes living aboard on Lk Union for 10 years. The salt water temps in the winter are usually in the mid 40s. Wind storms do occur in the winter but the majority of the marinas here are pretty protected so that's really not a concern. Your biggest challenge will be condensation on your boat and Seattle's horrendous traffic. A good dehumidifier, I recommend Eva Dry, will solve the humidity problem.

[FabioC]

Hi, thank you for the reply.
Our boat is on the Puget Sound, not on the lake.
Your reply confirms what we had been told by a couple of folks at the marina, and we are more and more inclined to keep her in the water. But about 10-15% of the boats on our dock are getting hauled out for winter, so it is good to ask.
Thank you,
Fabio

[newhaul]

Don't haulout your boat. some of the best sailing here is in the winter just dress warm.
What marinade you in ?

[2big2small]

If you’re not going to use your boat then do whatever is cheapest, as long as you have electricity to run a good dehumidifier, or you can use those salt packs if you can get to your boat often enough to tend them.

It may be cheapest to leave your boat across the sound, such as in Poulsbo which is usually half the price as the big Seattle marinas, and then you can still use it on occasion. It’s just a ferry ride away and winter sailing is good.

[Salish Sloop]

We keep our boat in the water at Edmonds Marina, and use it occasionally during the winter. We run a Westmarine Air Dryer nonstop in the cabin and it helps. In the past few years, we've had a couple of windstorms where we were concerned enough to go check on the boat, but we've never had a problem.

[Stu Jackson]

I experienced a first ever snowfall last year after sailing our boat up to Vancouver Island from SF in 2016.

It was raining inside. Snow on deck colder than the water made the inside like the outside of a gin & tonic on a hot summer afternoon.

Adding a heater was a must.

[FabioC]

Thank you for the replies.

We do run a dehumidifier all the time when we are not on the boat, even in summer, and agree, it is essential.

I assume in Seattle there is not much of an issue with the dehumidifier freezing during winter. Is that correct?

From the replies, the other question that comes to mind is: realistically, in a typical winter, are there opportunities to go out sailing in December/January, or it is too miserable to enjoy it? We were told we should nevertheless winterize the engine, but if we do so it would prevent the occasional outing, at least for a couple of months.

What do people do (while keeping the boat in the water)? Do you winterize the engine? how serious an engine winterization is needed/recommended in Seattle?

Thank you!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by FabioC

Thank you for the replies.

We do run a dehumidifier all the time when we are not on the boat, even in summer, and agree, it is essential.

I assume in Seattle there is not much of an issue with the dehumidifier freezing during winter. Is that correct?

From the replies, the other question that comes to mind is: realistically, in a typical winter, are there opportunities to go out sailing in December/January, or it is too miserable to enjoy it? We were told we should nevertheless winterize the engine, but if we do so it would prevent the occasional outing, at least for a couple of months.

What do people do (while keeping the boat in the water)? Do you winterize the engine? how serious an engine winterization is needed/recommended in Seattle?

Thank you!

no there is not really an issue with anything freezing. Rare to even have many days with frost at the boat. As far as sailing well there are many days of great sailing all winter. Just need to dress for the weather. Keep foulies handy. If doing multi day sail it would be recommended to have some kind of heating system on the boat for comfort. ( I love taking a week or so between thanksgiving and Christmas and cruise the San Juans ) most anchorage are basically empty and peaceful)

[Cavalier MK2]

Year round sailing in the PNW. If you race they run from fall through the winter and spring.

[Cheechako]

Your boat is fine in the water in the winter. The seawater stays in the 50's in the winter. If we have one of those weeks where it stays in the teens chack on your boat. It's nice to have an Air Drier. These use about 100-150 watts like a light bulb, but dont burn out. Helps keep dampness at bay and provide a hint of heat inside the boat.
Seattle Port Townsend
January 47 44
February 46 44
March 46 46
April 49 48 49
May 51 50 51
June 54 52 53
July 56 54 53
August 56 54
September 56
October 54 52
November 51 50
December 49 46
Annual 51 49


Like this Davis Air Dryr: