Winter: afloat versus dry dock?

[Vladis]

Hello,

Up to now our Oceanis 40 stayed in water during the winter. Next month it will be lifted and will stay in land (Preveza, Greece) up to the next summer. I wonder if there is any special precaution that I shall take into account. Someone said to me that boats that stay on land for winter do not need as much preparation as those that stay on water.

Thanks in advance for any comment. Regards, Vladis.

[Phillydave]

Vladis,
My experience has been the opposite. I purchased a wooden hull sailboat that was in the water when we bought her. The bilge never ran. In October, I hauled the boat to clean & paint the hull. I did some minor caulking, and re-painted the hull. Because of bad weather, she sat on the hard for six months before I could put her back. After 6 hours in the sling and using 2 sump pumps with 2 bilges running, I had to pull her out. The planking had shrunken so much while she was out, I am now re-packing the oakum and re-caulking the entire hull. Hopefully, repainting and putting her back in the water for the winter! I lost the summer, now looking forward to next season. Next time, I'll try to keep her out no longer than a couple of weeks.