THIS ARTICLE MAY BE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WRITTEN BUT HAS SOME GOOD TIPS FOR US
If the weather conditions this winter are as bad as predicted, then protecting your sailing dinghy from the harsh wind, rain and snow during winter is extremely important to ensuring you’re able to sail as quickly as possible come the new sailing season. Check the list of ten top tips from some of the best sailors in the country, and hopefully you will be ready for a great start to the new season.
If you sail a GRP boat like a Laser, Optimist, Solo or any other dinghy taking a little time now can save you a lot of time, hassle and expense. Rotor moulded plastic boats are a bit more resilient but whilst the hulls are much more tolerant of the harsh weather conditions the mainsheet, cunningham, kicker and other running rigging still need care and attention.
Follow the simple tips below and be sure of a ready to sail boat in 2014. If you haven’t prepared your boat already perhaps you should consider a new Optimist Top Cover and make sure that the boat is safe through January and February.
1.Drain all water from your boat, tanks and cockpit. Dinghies are designed to repel water but they are not designed to be left sitting with pools of water for long periods of time. Your boat can be damaged if the water is left to freeze, so make sure you remover every last drop.
2.Remove your bung and hatch covers, it is important that your boat can breath. Temperature changes will make the air trapped in your boat expand and contract forcing the hull to flex, this is made even worse in the depths of winter as temperature becomes extreme. The flexing this causes in your dinghy hull is not good for your boat
3.Make sure you have a high quality well fitting cover for your boat. A badly fitted top cover will allow leaves, snow and water to enter the boat. Once these are under your cover they will freeze and thaw multiple times over the winter, each time this happens your hull becomes more stressed and could be weakened.
4.Position supports under the top cover so that it is tight, especially where you have a cockpit that does not have any crossing supports like in a Laser. Preventing water pooling on the top of your cover will stop the cover being lifted from the edges of your boat. This means your cover will last longer and water and ice will not be able to get into your cockpit. Pools of water that freeze or excessive snow can badly damage your cover and boat.
5.Remove all sails, sheets, control lines and the rudder and center board or dagger board from your dinghy. If you have a boat like a Topper, Optimist or Laser where you can also easily remove the mast and boom then take these off too. Foils, sails, control lines and spars should be stored at home in a dry place. Yes it can seem a pain but if you leave GRP foils on the boat they can easily become affected by osmosis. Sails and ropes do no better as they will begin to rot if left wet for long periods of time.
6.During the winter your dinghy can be subjected to some extreme winds, make sure your boat is securely tied down. If you have a boat like an Enterprise or skiff drop the mast and use it to support your cover. A mast left up creates a significant amount of windage and too many times we have seen pictures of the aftermath when boats have been flying around the dinghy park creating thousands of pounds of insurance claims.
7.Don’t forget to securely lock your boat and trailer, not all dinghy parks are secure. Check the requirements of your insurance policy.
8.Regularly check your boat, significant levels of snow can build up over time and the weight of this snow can cause damage to your boat and stretch of even break your top cover.
9.If possible, store your boat indoors in a nice warm garage, it is far better for your boat and will give you an opportunity to start work on any repairs or improvements for the next season. Imagine what a great start you could get if you win the first three club races because no one else is as prepared as you!
10.Check your insurance policy. Boats can be stolen and damaged during the winter months if you plan to leave your boat in the dinghy park at a sailing club it is important that you are insured properly.