Winterizing on dry

[jserge]

Hi,

How much better it is to keep the boat over the winter on dry vs water?

I am located in Annapolis. MD. I have Beneteau 38. The estimation for the dry storage is about $2500 - $3000 for the winter. This is significant money but I want to have a better understanding if it's worth it.

Any opinions?

Thanks

[Tetepare]

I don't have a choice but to store on the hard in winter. It's a good opportunity to do maintenance (paint bottom, gelcoat repairs, wax hull, etc.)


I store indoors, which means six months less sun and rain- better for bright work, good opportunity to rebed stuff, lets hull dry out and gets moisture out of the interior. Outdoor storage (even in MD) can cause water to freeze, expand, and damage stuff.

[moctrams]

Cruise on down to Flag Harbor. Fee for your boat would be $1216.
Flag Harbor Yacht Haven - on the Bay in Calvert County

[savoir]

$2500 is very high for a 38 footer. You should be getting change from $2000 including haulout and launch.


It's also a perfect time to service the seacocks which should be done once a year.

[fallingeggs]

There isn't anything inherently wrong with wintering in the water in an area with not much ice, assuming the boat, including its seacocks, are properly winterized.

Thick ice is said to squeeze the hull, which may damage things. Also, when it melts, the big ice sheets have the tendency to take moorings and docks with it. Doubt this is a problem in your area.

Many in NYC winter in the water on some alternating schedule. One year in, one year out. Ice is rarely a problem. One really should come out at least once every other year to get painted.

The issue I see as necessary to wintering in the water is making it out to your boat every few weeks to check on it. My boat is out on a mooring, so that would involve me rowing, which would not be fun and could be dangerous.

Agreed with others that $2,500 sounds high. I pay slightly less than $2,000 for my 38' in NYC.

[jserge]

Thank you for the replies and cost info. I will try to get the more precise quote from my marina.