[These comments were originally a sidebar in the discussion of the new 41-foot 405 CONQUEST and its many features--jimh]
How come as I get older I feel I need more than a weekend on the boat? Well, permanent retirement is coming in under 10 months. Guess I don't have to go fast all the time.
JimP
Seasonal Boating, Winterization, Storage, and Boat Size
Re: Seasonal Boating, Winterization, Storage, and Boat Size
JIMP--I suspect you seldom need air-conditioning in your local waters.
Re: Seasonal Boating, Winterization, Storage, and Boat Size
Ha! We did this summer! Had to buy a fan. 50 days over 70F. Brutal!
Re: Seasonal Boating, Winterization, Storage, and Boat Size
For seasonal boaters in northern climates, winter storage for boats with very complex systems is now often done in heated indoor storage. De-commissioning all the water-related systems on these big boats and re-filling with anti-freeze is a big chore. There is always some risk of missing something and having a water line burst during a really cold winter freeze. Then there is the flushing-out of the anti-freeze at re-commissioning. Owners of boats with complex systems probably can afford heated winter storage.
Re: Seasonal Boating, Winterization, Storage, and Boat Size
Winterization is almost another topic for the northern climates and The GAM. Tougher in remote areas where services may not be available.
Winterizing the "Kelsey J", my 1990 Revenge 22 - W.T. for 19 seasons, was fairly simple. To the shop to winterize the 225 Merc Optimax, and a day in the front yard to cover her. Leave air gaps in the cover to circulate air, no electricity needed.
A 34' boat is a bit tougher. If hauling for the winter, you have to get somebody to haul her to a boat yard as 17,000 pounds was too much for the truck ($940), then shrink wrap ($1,100), then pay for the yard (~$750), and electricity. I left her in the water last two winters and reused the shrink wrap (failure last winter, it blew off). This winter I'm renting a boat house ($1,700 for 6 months) and still paying for my regular slip.
As JimH mentioned, drain and winterize the water system with antifreeze (hot water tank, water tanks, fresh water lines to galley sink, head, and shower), winterize raw water pump to galley and cockpit, change oil in the CAT 3208TA (almost 4 gallons), change zincs, check underwater zincs (still have to do that).
But it was a decision we made to move up to a larger boat for about 10 years. The Revenge 22 cost about $1,000 per year to operate. The Wilbur 34 about $10,000 per year. It's a choice. And an eye-opener.
JimP
Winterizing the "Kelsey J", my 1990 Revenge 22 - W.T. for 19 seasons, was fairly simple. To the shop to winterize the 225 Merc Optimax, and a day in the front yard to cover her. Leave air gaps in the cover to circulate air, no electricity needed.
A 34' boat is a bit tougher. If hauling for the winter, you have to get somebody to haul her to a boat yard as 17,000 pounds was too much for the truck ($940), then shrink wrap ($1,100), then pay for the yard (~$750), and electricity. I left her in the water last two winters and reused the shrink wrap (failure last winter, it blew off). This winter I'm renting a boat house ($1,700 for 6 months) and still paying for my regular slip.
As JimH mentioned, drain and winterize the water system with antifreeze (hot water tank, water tanks, fresh water lines to galley sink, head, and shower), winterize raw water pump to galley and cockpit, change oil in the CAT 3208TA (almost 4 gallons), change zincs, check underwater zincs (still have to do that).
But it was a decision we made to move up to a larger boat for about 10 years. The Revenge 22 cost about $1,000 per year to operate. The Wilbur 34 about $10,000 per year. It's a choice. And an eye-opener.
JimP
Re: Seasonal Boating, Winterization, Storage, and Boat Size
If you plot annual costs as a function of length with this data
22-feet = $1000
34-feet = $10,000
41-feet = $100,000
I think you get "the hockey stick curve."
I can't bring myself to leave my REVENGE sitting outdoors all winter, so I have been paying for indoor but unheated storage. That cost has been creeping upwards, but it is still only about $800 per year.
22-feet = $1000
34-feet = $10,000
41-feet = $100,000
I think you get "the hockey stick curve."
I can't bring myself to leave my REVENGE sitting outdoors all winter, so I have been paying for indoor but unheated storage. That cost has been creeping upwards, but it is still only about $800 per year.