a sad day fast approaches... how does everyone winterize?

[hmeyrick]

Esteemed fellow cd skippers. For those of us in the northern latitudes, preparations must shortly be made to ensure our boats survive the imminent winter chill. I've read up on the books and manuals, however I'd be very appreciative if you'd share any tips or suggestions for me to prepare my boat for its first winter under my watch.

This isn't my first boat, of course, but the Sunfish didn't require much in the way of winterizing. I'd just shove it in the garage.

Thanks in advance for whatever help may be forthcoming.

[Neil Gordon]

Winterizing is pretty straightforward... You remove whatever gear is better stored at home (or needs repair), get rid of whatever water is on the boat and you protect the boat from the elements. Plus, you do some basic maintenance What that means for liquidity:

Change the oil
Winterize the engine by running anti-freeze through
Drain the water tank and pump some antifreeze through the system
Drain/clean the head/holding tank and pump some antifreeze through
Pump the bilge dry and fill sump with antifreeze
Run antifreeze through the bilge pumps
Once on the hard, open all the seacocks so they drain
Most everything comes off the boat... I leave the anchors.
Batteries taken off and stored in the garage
Leave the boat clean.
Shrink wrap when all is done.

I think that's the whole list. You'll stay out of trouble so long as you're protected from water (including what gets in over the winter) that can freeze and do damage.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



cdory28@aol.com

[Pirate Captain Hanalei]

Captain,

Those four items, not necessairly in that order, will make for a very satisfactory winter on the hard!

Being serious. I have a check list around here somewhere, I will post it when I find it. It covers just about everything.

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA #1

[M. R. Bober]

Every year there are a few sad postings on this site about "frozen seacocks"...Once the boat is on the hard, don't forget to lube those bronze beauties.

Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330

[Brace Tallents]

Esteemed fellow cd skippers. For those of us in the northern latitudes, preparations must shortly be made to ensure our boats survive the imminent winter chill. I've read up on the books and manuals, however I'd be very appreciative if you'd share any tips or suggestions for me to prepare my boat for its first winter under my watch.

This isn't my first boat, of course, but the Sunfish didn't require much in the way of winterizing. I'd just shove it in the garage.

Thanks in advance for whatever help may be forthcoming.

Along with the other stuff in the follow ups I've seen having a Cape Dory requires some type of personal traditions to be performed . I can tell you how I handle the process but these have to follow your personal prefrences . I generally start as earley as possible , load a few nessary items , 12pak of Molson , snacks , and good tunes . I go to the mooring , if the weather is good I sail , If not i start to break down the boat . With each step a beer may follow . When all is set I sit in the cockpit for a long wile and ponder the summer . Then its off to the marina , its on the other side of Oswego Harbor , about a 10min trip , but on this occation it takes 40min . I wave bye to all the boats still in and the Coast Guard station , my friends at the other marinas . Arriving at the marina , I tie up , go into the office and make arrangments for pull-out . I make a habit of not letting them know I,m comming , they know why . They are very busy and won't be able to pull me for quite a wile , I knew this . I go back to the boat , make the last entry into log for the season and crack open another beer . I sit below and have a good cry . After they put the boat on the trailer I secure for the road , hook up the truck and get back on the boat . I make my list of things to do over the winter , polish off the rest of the beer , and try at planning the next seasons travels . Right about now is the time my wife shows up , as planned (I've done this for the last 10 years)to take me home . After a 12pak I'm not going to try . Not a word is spoken on the way home , she knows better .

sy Dreamer
1980 CD25
Hull# 425



wfeaster1@aol.com