THE DORMANT YACHT
Leaving your boat properly set up for the
winter when you haul out is the best way
to ensure putting the boat in the water
is an easy process. There are a number
of simple tasks that make a big difference
and generally make coming back on board
a positive experience.
Lift up your interior
cushions so that air
circulates around them
rather than accumulating
damp and quite possibly
mould. If you have
access to power, setting
up a dehumidifier will
dramatically reduce the
moisture level and really
help to preserve the interior. Good-quality
models have a drainage hose that you can
run into the sink and actually heat the air
a little bit as they work. Adding electric tube
heaters to the equation is the gold standard
and will stop anything from freezing, another
common cause of headaches.On deck, covering as much up as possible
will make an enormous difference. Some
of our clients ask for a plastic cockpit tent
to be built every year, which forms a well-
lit working environment for doing jobs
over the winter and offers almost complete
protection. It is expensive, however, and
isn’t the most environmentally friendly thing
in the world. Alternatively, a traditional cover
custom made in canvas will be paid back
over the course of ten years’ use. Either
way, covering the boat is an investment.
Make sure never leave your boat dirty
over winter, particularly with leaves or bird
mess. For the British climate, thoroughly
applying an antifungal treatment to the
deck is a great idea. It will reduce growth
and is a relatively quick job.EXPERT ON BOARDLifting cushions and
running a dehumidifier
will help protect against
damp and mildew growth