RIb on water over winter

PeterM · 17 October 2010, 14:02

For the first time this winter the RIB will be on the water this year to allow more use / possible sale - at least the Nacho run in January should be quicker/calmer for me !

But having never donw this route before I'm after stories of what I should look out for to avoid damage etc.

It will have full cover to avoid running the batteries down pumping out hundreds of gallons of rainwater, will be checked/started/warmed up/used weekly(at least)and fully serviced in the next few weeks.

Its pretty mild down here so aren't that worried about ice and being in the water should keep it warmer than say sat on a drystack (sea water generally being warmer than air), but anything anyone has experienced or think I should look out for ?

Pete

Neil Harvey · 17 October 2010, 14:55

Hi Pete,

Can't really answer that one, but good luck with it, you should get some nice days usage over the winter period... unless

a sale gets in the way.

see you on the water some time

Neil

PeterM · 18 October 2010, 07:57

Cheers Neil , hows yours coming along ?

dougcrock · 18 October 2010, 08:09

watch out for beer stealing polar bears

Pete7 · 18 October 2010, 18:10

Love Dougs photo

Pete, your one problem might be mildew if the cabin is kept air tight. The solution we use on the yacht is ventilation, then some ventilation and finally some ventilation, you get the picture. Doesn't matter if its cold inside providing its not the slightest bit damp and it will slowly absorb water vapour as the day and night temperatures vary.

Could be tricky to organise if that cabin is nice a waterproof, but worth thinking about and removing any moisture if possible. How about a couple of those absorbing things from e bay.

Pete

Hightower · 18 October 2010, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Love Dougs photo

Pete, your one problem might be mildew if the cabin is kept air tight. The solution we use on the yacht is ventilation, then some ventilation and finally some ventilation, you get the picture. Doesn't matter if its cold inside providing its not the slightest bit damp and it will slowly absorb water vapour as the day and night temperatures vary.

Could be tricky to organise if that cabin is nice a waterproof, but worth thinking about and removing any moisture if possible. How about a couple of those absorbing things from e bay.

Pete

You Can buy nice little solarpanel operated extraction fans for cabin roofs.

PeterM · 19 October 2010, 10:21

Cheers Pete/Andy . I have always taken the cushions off when its been lifted before ,but this year am going to try and leave them. The Cabin does get quite a bit air through as the washboard type door is very 'airy' . To be fair with both covers on it ( the full boat & fitted ones) it does reduce the airflow a lot - but hope to be able to keep dampness to the minimum by giving a good blast down the harbour at least !

I've got a couple of the absorbing things from lakeland which live in the cabin all year round just to be safe and they seem to pull a fair amount of moisture form the air at the moment.

I'm hoping colder water will stop anything 'big' growing on the hull which is antifouled at the start of the year and should last.

Its all being serviced in a week and have arranged to get it jet washed in Spring (If I still have it ) for nothing and I can re-antifoul it then too !

Fingers crossed and hope for some good winter days !

Pete

PeterM · 24 October 2010, 15:01

So Nestor is arranged to be moved in a week or so . But anyone any experience/ horror stories of damage caused when on a berth ? I do know them well/ very well down there so know it will be looked at almost daily by a keen eye......

A friend had a rear tube putured on a foam filled tube(ex northsea rig boat) & it was a real problem getting it fixed ....

My boat shows some wear from before I got it when clealry fenders were not used and the patches for the lifelines have rubbed (only in a very very small way).

Looks like I will be stern on to the prevailing Westerlies , either that or a BIG bit of the boat will stick out ! ( 7.5 boay on a 6m berth.....)

Should I leave the stern out , or the bow ?

Bow is less expensive and 'softer' but will the prop/skeg make people more cautious ?

Mollers · 24 October 2010, 15:40

I'd definitely leave it bow out. A wind driven slop can quite often get over the transom. I'd tie a couple of big old bullet shaped fenders to the pontoon if poss, that way they can't pop out during storms. Some anti-snatch and chafe protection on the warps might be helpful also. Is shore power available?

PeterM · 24 October 2010, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I'd definitely leave it bow out. A wind driven slop can quite often get over the transom. I'd tie a couple of big old bullet shaped fenders to the pontoon if poss, that way they can't pop out during storms. Some anti-snatch and chafe protection on the warps might be helpful also. Is shore power available?

Cheers mate - all good ideas - not thought about the transom taking in water ( its not exactly a high one on my boat) . I guess the bilge pump will deal with it( until it breaks/freezes of course..)

Shore power is £3 a day

...... so am thinking a day every week or two to keep the batteries 100% (assuming its not been used in the last week) .

Luckily the (new) other half works there so can keep an eye on it all

jambo · 24 October 2010, 16:31

Im with Mollers on this one have been caught twice leaving bow in on a pontoon with stern to sea and overnight the wind got up and yes you have guessed it baling in the morning. Hope this helps.

Mollers · 24 October 2010, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

Shore power is £3 a day

......

Blimey, that's a bit strong. Where I kept mine, cards were used to credit the sockets. Forget that one then.

CJL · 24 October 2010, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Blimey, that's a bit strong. Where I kept mine, cards were used to credit the sockets. Forget that one then.

At that price leave I'd a heater on all the time!!

PeterM · 30 October 2010, 16:55

So following on from this ...... the blue ebay cover seems to fit well even when on the water

- got the two bow straps under the hull ans the stern has been 'modified' a bit and ties down to stop pretty much all the rain getting in the boat. Takes a while to fit/remove but should work well & stayed on in 40knt gusts in the week.

Shore power has been 'arranged'

but all I want to do is plug one end in the marine and my battery charger in the other - but all the cables I see seem to be for the 'big boys' deck sockets and not a std 13 amp 3 pin plug ( into which I can plug the charger into) .

Assume I can simply wire a suitable plug on the boat end of one of these & off I go ?

Pete

martini · 30 October 2010, 23:11

Or buy an adaptor like this if I'm reading you correctly

Mollers · 31 October 2010, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Or buy an adaptor like this if I'm reading you correctly

I have a bucket full of blue 240v 3pin plug if you should need one, FOC.

martini · 31 October 2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I have a bucket full of blue 240v 3pin plug if you should need one, FOC.

Did someone pay you to take them away?

Mollers · 31 October 2010, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Did someone pay you to take them away?

Sweetners.

PeterM · 31 October 2010, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Did someone pay you to take them away?

that would be ace ! When i get to a real computer i'll pm you.

Then its a case of dig out some cable and a plug for the other end.

That'll give me a decent length cable with the right plugs on without the need to buy 2 prewired bits at stupid prices.

pete

TUFTY · 31 October 2010, 12:43

Have you considered running a dehumidifier? even 1 day per week would draw
out a significant amount of moisture.

Paul