first haul out in Sea of Cortez

[wefleenor]

Just wondering if anyone has any specific recommendations on boat preperations before leaving a boat for the off-season on the hard. Obvious things are watermaker pickling, but what are opinions on status of leaving fuel and water tanks, etc. Thanks.

Being here is the culmination of a dream started at 10-12 years of age when I read Steinbeck's book on the Log of the Sea of Cortez. Last week I pulled into Santa Rosalia and the Western Flyer was coming out. Tears in the eyes.

Bill

[JPA Cate]

on the Log of the Sea of Cortez Hansen Sea Cow indeed!

Congrats on achieving this goal. Muy emocionante!

Do you use biocide? If yes, then diesel fuel will be okay. If not, get some and start using it to avoid the dreaded bacterial growth sludge.

This thread will take you to a reliable discussion of what to do for the water https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ks-269439.html

If you have anything canvas, take it off for hurricane season, pack it below.

Make sure they tie the boat down properly, that's a LOT of windage. Might want to double up on all the lines, straps.

Ann

[NorthCoastJoe]

I have a friend that has had his boat there for 12 years now. Hauling it out every summer. The biggest issue for him is how hot it gets inside the boat while he is away. He said that he had plastic melt inside his boat in the summer there. He is doing the 50/50 and comes north leaving his boat near Guaymas for the summer.

Also heat may be an issue for LiFePO batteries.

[jamhass]

If you are at Sta Rosalia, I assume you are hauling in San Carlos or Guymas, but even in Pto Escondido or La Paz I would prep the same. Remember, nearly anywhere in the Sea can experience h'canes and/or chubascos and the sun is brutal.

Exterior
Remove all sails. Even sun covers deteriorate in the summer sun. Don't forget, even remnants of h'canes can destroy canvas.
Ditto running rigging, leaving messengers in place.
Remove any plastic. What cannot be readily removed, cover in foil, many wraps and well-taped. Foil will deteriorate, but it will save the underlying bits. Same for plastic bits on furlers, etc.
Screen any exterior openings to keep bugs out. This includes dorades, etc. Don't forget the end of the boom!
Secure the anchor well or stow below.
Put a cork in t-hulls to keep out bugs! But, not the bilge pump outlet!
Best to move external displays inside (sun and theft prevention). If unable, cover and wrap well.
Remove any readily-removable canvas from dodger/bimini/etc.
Secure the boom well.


Interior:

Best to cover hatches, and port windows. I made up some inserts covered with foil to keep out the sun. Leave 2 at opposite ends open with GOOD bug-resistant screens for ventilation.
Yes, "fully" pickle the watermaker.
Drain and dry the water tanks
Wipe interior with vinegar to slow mold.
If on the mainland side especially, consider a dehumidifier.
Disconnect electronics from antennas, etc.
Remove ALL perishables, and preferably all food and drinks. ANYTHING acidic (coke, tomato, etc) WILL leak and attract bugs/roaches/etc.
Prop up cushions and mattresses to combat mold.

Other:
Do an engine oil change. Remove impeller.
Keep automatic bilge pump on.
Arrange some maintenance charger for the batteries. A small solar charger can work, we used part of our solar, covering the rest.
Prep the outboard for proper storage, run dry, use fogging oil. Stow it somewhere "safe" and locked if outside (preferably not on the rail)

I am sure others will add to this quick list.

I am also sure some will consider this list a bit anal, but we summered our boat in the Sea for 10 years (both in the water and on the hard) with no issues, AND our boat went through Odeil without a hitch.

[CMH]

Where are you going to haul out?

[JPA Cate]

Vessel in question is a 49 ft. power catamaran, not a sailboat.

[wefleenor]

Originally Posted by CMH

Where are you going to haul out?

I will be hauling out in Guaymas. Only there, Penasco, and San Jose del Cabo can handle a 23.4 ft beam. I chose Guaymas.

[senormechanico]

We hauled out in the shipyard in Guaymas in 1993. At that time, there was a strike going on and to get in and out via taxi was interesting to say the least.

[CMH]

Two years ago it was $2000/RT for my boat to be hauled at the Guaymas commercial yard.

[fairwindgirl]

Congrulations, good for you! Battery management and maintenance for the heat. Depending on the type of batteries you have, disconnect them completely. If lead acid, make sure they are filled with distilled water; if LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate), you might want to take those with you if temperatures inside the boat reach more than 40C, which is possible in the hot Mexico summers.

[Sailingbluew]

I will be hauling out in the same area as open poster but only for 2-2.5 months. I will haulout when it becomes too hot sail. Probably in Puerto penesco.

Should I prep the boat the same way for a shorter period?

[CMH]

Peñasco may be down for a while. This is from two days ago.

[Sailingbluew]

There is a few haul out facilities or just one in penesco?

[CMH]

Just one ☹️

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Does anyone have any details on what happened in Penasco?

To the OP - we have hauled out twice in San Carlos. Make sure all openings in the hull have a block (like steel wool) in them. This past season we were treated to a hornets nest in our fuel tank vent.