When to go back in ?

PeterM · 22 January 2009, 13:56

So has now been 3 months since the boat was taken out , serviced , winterised etc , but having never had a boat big enough to warrant all that before when do others who do this get dunked back in ?

I'm thinking end of Feb so not long , but just wondering what sort of plans others have who may be in a similar situation.

I've still had the 4m to play with over winter so I'm not going totally mad - just want to get the speed & noise going again ( and petrols cheaper now so I can go faster for longer & not worry about the cost as much)

BOG RAT · 26 January 2009, 15:27

I always dip mine back in around the end of feb begining of march, still just too cold for many other boaters & trailer sailors, (just keep the dry suit out) so you get loads of room around the launch area, and great for parking, etc etc. Not that I dont like people or anything like that, I hate to Q or wait too long, the best part of this time of year is you get miles & miles of sea just to yourself.

biffer · 26 January 2009, 15:44

just come back from a weekend out on the boat, saturday was beautiful, sunday yuck so came back today, pretty nice today as well

PeterM · 26 January 2009, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOG RAT

I always dip mine back in around the end of feb begining of march, still just too cold for many other boaters & trailer sailors, (just keep the dry suit out) so you get loads of room around the launch area, and great for parking, etc etc. Not that I dont like people or anything like that, I hate to Q or wait too long, the best part of this time of year is you get miles & miles of sea just to yourself.

This is sort of what I was thinking - the local yachties dont go back in till April I think mainly as they cant cope with the currents in the harbour. It lives on a mooring so once I'm commited thats it till October. Big worry is bad weather on the mooring, but I reckon should be OK from MArch on.

Biffer - you look to have a not dissimlar set up to me in that you can get out of bad weather if needs be - one question - how do you get in the cabin ? I cant see how you do from your pics ? Good looking & functional set up ! Easily recognisable around the solent - I'll be looking out ........Pete

biffer · 27 January 2009, 14:58

my girlfriend had the best advise, she said, don't take it out!

Nos4r2 · 27 January 2009, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

This is sort of what I was thinking - the local yachties dont go back in till April I think mainly as they cant cope with the currents in the harbour.

I think that's more to do with their antifoul not drying in near freezing temps and the time it takes lying on your back in dirty cold close to freezing water to prep the bottom of a yacht hull. Horrible job.

Erin · 27 January 2009, 17:01

Think you'll find it's more to do with insurance, especially with yachts. My insurance won't allow me to leave my rib unattended between dusk and dawn between 31 September and 1 May. This basically rules out leaving it in the water on it's mooring during those winter months. If I do, it would be uninsured.

biffer · 27 January 2009, 17:39

my big rib is insured with mardon, they're a good company, wiped my outdrive off a few years back and they settled in a couple of weeks, can go out day or night as well

Nos4r2 · 27 January 2009, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Think you'll find it's more to do with insurance, especially with yachts. My insurance won't allow me to leave my rib unattended between dusk and dawn between 31 September and 1 May. This basically rules out leaving it in the water on it's mooring during those winter months. If I do, it would be uninsured.

Odd-we used to get lifted in on the weekend the clocks went forwards every year and come out at the beginning of November.

PeterM · 27 January 2009, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Think you'll find it's more to do with insurance, especially with yachts. My insurance won't allow me to leave my rib unattended between dusk and dawn between 31 September and 1 May. This basically rules out leaving it in the water on it's mooring during those winter months. If I do, it would be uninsured.

I'd be very tempted to change insurer . I've done a bit of time working in insurance & yes cover will be excluded while left 'unattended afloat' this should not exclude being on the specified mooring. You should be able to tell them the 'months in commision' ( mine being 12 & I just tell them its out & stored & where) and they cover it as normal.

I would expect marine crime to be higher in summer anyway ! Alot of criminals are put off by bad weather ( apart from the real organised ones who would nick anything anytime) & the weather shouldn't play that a big a part on a mooring anyway.

Mollers · 27 January 2009, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

I'm thinking end of Feb so not long ,

Have you thought about having more than one hobby or perhaps going somehere nice with the wife?

chewy · 28 January 2009, 08:57

Noble will happily insure my little Longliner all year.
I don't lift it out and leave it on a mooring for the full 12 months.

Erin · 28 January 2009, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Odd-we used to get lifted in on the weekend the clocks went forwards every year and come out at the beginning of November.

The October to May rule is quite common here with boat insurance. I did try and get a year round policy, but no-one would cover my boat on a swinging mooring in what is basically a beach with a granite pier and lots of rocks.