spring launching/taking out for the winter

[speedwellfisher]

Hello All,

I just thought I'd get some opinions on when people take their boats out of the water and when they put them back. I understand that the main reason is due to the stormy weather and good time to do some work to them. I'm looking at maybe getting my boat back out there soon to fish for some cod whilst the temperature of the water is better for the fishing.

Thanks

Gab

[rbmatthews]

Hi Gab

We take our boat out of the water towards the end of October for both of the reasons that you mention - storms and winter work - and put her back in in April. We only have a summer mooring in our local harbour for that period anyway, but it always seems to be too short. I don't know where you live, but down south I guess the season is a bit longer - we are in Scotland.

Last year (2012) by chance we took her out in mid-September, and there was a Force 10 easterly storm on Sept 25 which wrecked two boats inside the harbour completely, and sank another one (which was subsequently recovered). We think we might have a guardian angel!

R.

[rbmatthews]

Here's some footage of the storm I was talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02qhjbzYvE4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZNF1p8mAI4

which explains why we don't leave the boat in over the winter! She was in there only two weeks earlier.

R.

[aggalletley]

Hi...looked at the video of the storm in Stonehaven Harbour...wow would not like to have boat in that. My Shetland 4 + 2 is usually moored on the Thames which is in flood at the moment and my normal mooring is like the rapids on the Orinoco ! With most of the other users of my marina at Hambleden Mill on the Thames I have my boat craned out in ~October and craned back in on 27th March ,,,,,ca'nt wait !
As soon as she is out I give her a good clean and polish from deck level down to the water line. Then is spring check and re do anti foul paint and give final polish. Have also become a wizard with Gell Coat so repair any scratches and chips so she looks like new again at the start of the new season. I you are really fussy perhaps no so important if you are sea going I also put my ropes in a pillow case and run them through a wash in the domestic washing machine,,,they come out like new. Good luck with the Cod...enjoy your boat
Andrew

[speedwellfisher]

Thanks for your thoughts and info gents. Im sure there are many of us wishing for the start of the season to get back out there again.

[ladydawn]

Am practising my knots as we speak!!!!