Winter's Here! Look after your boat!

This can happen

Weather in October and November has been relatively mild,

doing very little damage on the boat park. December has

arrived with strong winds and frost, last chance to sort out

your boat for winter.

It's ideal if you can take it home. Put it in the garage with

the heater on, leave the trailer on the lawn, park the cars

outside on the drive or the road, why, cause it's worth it!

Your spouse won't mind.

If you can't it take home, at least drop the mast. Windage on

the mast loosens the tie downs, while a big gust can tip it

over, probably onto the boat next to yours, damaging both.

Tie the hull down securely to the trolley or trailer and the

ground pegs. Lay the mast on the ground between the boats

(not where some one can drive over it).

All boats suffer from water lodging in them and freezing,

wooden hulls can be badly damaged. Take the bungs out of the

buoyancy tanks, turn it over, put tyres under the bow and

sides to allow air ciculation (or put it upside down on the

trolley if it will fit), put the cover over it and tie it

down.

Don't forget to take the sails home, the mice chew them up to

make nests.

If you leave your trailer please mark it so that we know

whose it is when the wheels go missing (your insurer and the

Club require trailers to be marked & insured). Park it under your

boat if it will fit or in the allocated area. Please don't leave

it where members can fall over it or damage their car by

running into it.

From your caring bosun(ret'd, acting, consultant geriatric).

Dec2011