RIb on water over winter

[PeterM]

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]

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]

Cheers Neil , hows yours coming along ?

[dougcrock]

watch out for beer stealing polar bears

[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

[Hightower]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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