In St Michaels, I keep my 46
ketch in water most winters, but last winter had trouble closing two thru-hull valves and torquing on one to finally get it closed resulted in a little weeping up around outside of fitting. So I'm in process of hauling this winter and changing them now/ new
bottom paint in early Spring. In past years I use it nearly all Winter.
Center cockpit and full enclosure allows very comfortable temps if Sunny day above 35 outside. I installed a 16,000 BTU
diesel heater abt 6 yrs ago and with the V-birth closed/ sealed (we sleep in aft cabin) so we can
anchor out and be comfortable in temps 30ish and above. (V-birth area is abt 1/3 of heat loss). Yes it's a bit chilly getting out of a warm
bed in morning, but once (propane) burner on for coffee (8,000 BTU) the main
cabin is quickly 70+ degrees. After getting fully dressed w/ layers... long-johns, flannel shirt, sweat shirt... and
cooking a breakfast with two burners (8,000 + 5,000 BTU)... it's quickly so warm down below, we open companion slide and excess heat rises and we often eat topside enjoying the full view... sometimes a lite fresh snow! Same on sunny days for lunch... it's 60-65 degrees w/o help from
diesel heater/
stove use. At the
dock, with diesel
heater and maybe some
electric heater assist it's perfect for doing all those postponed inside projects.
Bed has
electric blanket so boat heat can go way down at night.
As grip of winter tightens, we do a phased Wintetization... A/C-heat pumps when water temp drops below 45 degrees and don't produce much heat.
Deck wash down pump/ hose/ deck fitting soon afterward.
Generator and main
engine as night
forecast approach mid-30s. Finally heads, sinks, holding
tanks, fresh water
tanks drained/ water lines blown. All thru-hulls closed.
Antifreeze in
bilge. So boat use/
project work really restricted between later Dec-mid-Feb. Then we reverse the process. In our marina dock water doesn't usually get turned on until abt April 1 so if we go out for more than a day sail we have to bring gallon jugs of water for cooking/ cleaning/
washing up. By the time good wx really comes we are totally ready and already racked up a lot of pre-season sailing/ 'cruising'.
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