I have a
Jeanneau SO40 that I bought in October and am now coming upon my first end-of-season and have to decide what to do with the
boat while I return home for the summer/fall. The choice is between hauling out or leaving it in the
water in Fort Pierce
Florida.
I've been planning on hauling out but had a discussion last night with a few other sailors who disagreed saying that the
boat is better off left in the
water. The logic being that in a strong
wind there is less stress on the
rigging if the boat can sway with the
wind. This made me rethink my decision.
My options are leaving it in the water at the Fort Pierce City Marina, which is really well sheltered and in a slip that I can tie off to pilings on either side keeping it off the
dock, or
haul out at Riverside Marina.
Cost wise it's close enough to a wash that it doesn't matter. I'd have the extra cost of hiring a diver to clean the
hull once a month, and I'd still have to
haul out next year for a
bottom paint and some other
maintenance, but I'm not concerned enough about cost to let that sway my decision.
I'd appreciate any input!