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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

How cold is too cold for fiberglass

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HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/23/2008 : 17:38:06

Hi,

I was thinking about keeping my boat in the off season up in Minnesota. Is there a low temperature that the boat should not go below, so that the fiberglass or anything else is not damaged? Is semi-heated storage something that would be required?

Thanks!
Pat

Patrick Moran
1981 SR/SK w/trailer
#2303 - "Chili Mas"
Lincoln, NE

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 17:58:22

The fiberglass itself has no issues with cold. Water, on the other hand, has lots. So, it's imperative that all the water is removed from the boat. That means the water tank and, if you have one, the head holding tank. If not removed, it needs to be treated to prevent freezing. RV antifreeze (for POTABLE WATER) in the water system after you've drained the water is necessary since you really can't get all the water out of the lines very effectively. The lines and fittings are plastic and the forces exerted by freezing water are certainly enough to break them.

It would be a good idea to cover the boat since ice and snow on the surface isn't very good for the finish.

Of course, if you have access to indoor heated storage (above 32deg F guaranteed) that would be the best of choices. Around my marina that's pretty expensive though.

Edit to add: If you have damage to the fiberglass and subsequent water intrusion, that water will likely freeze and and it's the frozen water that can further damage the fiberglass.

BTW, welcome to the association and forum.

Edited by - John Russell on 11/23/2008 18:01:45

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5885 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 18:19:53

Following up on John's "edit," rudders often absorb excess water, and it's a worthwhile precaution to take your rudder home for the winter and store it in your basement or other heated space.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2008 : 08:39:33

I agree with the above. We are on our second winter of "Back yard storage" With Iris, however, most of her life was spent in the Detroit area, stored outside.

Our winter regimen includes - removal of everythign that can hold moisture from th eboat. This includes all lines, cusions, curtains, cloths, etc.

Removal of all deck plates/covers on closed spaces (we want good air circulation).

Draining the tanks and adding antifreeze as mentioned above.

A splash of antifreeze in the bilge

Wiping down the inside of the boat with a light bleach solution.

Tarping over the boat in such a way that snow/moisture can't get in, but moisture can vent out.

Over the course of the winter you should go visit your boat from time to time to be sure that no animals have found it and are calling it home (I fear squirrels and raccoons will one day find their way in - although I have never actually heard of this happening), and more realistically to remove snow from the tarp. A friend of ours was away in florida for the winter last year, and when he came home late in the spring, th esnow load had actually driven his stanction posts through the deck and intothe inside of the boat. It is amazing how heavy water/ice/snow can be.

If your tarp is done well, inside it will actually be a pretty nice little hidey hole. Take a space heater (if you have hydro) and you can get a lot done in the off season - ofr if you are like me, you can sit in there with a rum and coke, relax, daydream, fall asleep, get nothing done. I call it working on the boat.

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welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2008 : 11:44:23

I would add - if you have access to power put one of the electric air dryers in your boat. There are also some heaters that may work and have a freeze setting so they only come on when it goes below freezing.

The air dryer has worked great for me up in the PNW over the last couple of years. They give off just a little bit of heat and keep the inside of the boat dryer. Combine that with my solar vent and my boat as stayed nice over the last two winters (we don't get the severe freezing weather though - mostly wet).

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5322 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 20:31:13

I live in CT where it gets into the teens regularly and the single digits F once or twice a winter. [That's minus teens C for our metric brethren].

The one item I always remove from the boat every year is the compass.

I've had three sail boats, each one with a nice oil-filled compass, and in two out of three of them, the freezing weather caused the rubber seal to burst and the compass to lose its oil.

On my Zuma, my Suunto compass was irreparable. The compass was custom-fitted to the boat, and now I cannot find an exact replacement. According to the manufacturer, the rubber seal is also impossible to replace.

On my 16 ft Sunbird daysailer, I had a low cost Ritchie compass (~$80), which burst in the same way.

So now with the C-25, I religiously remove the compass every winter and put it in the basement.

Whether this is warranted or not, I'm not taking any chances with the cold.

Edited by - Voyager on 11/25/2008 20:33:12

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 21:42:08

After draining/pumping as much water as possible out of the tank, put a gallon of RV/boat antifreeze in and pump your faucets until you get antifreeze coming out of the spigots; then keep pumping till it's "dry". Then repeat with another gallon to ensure that any residue in your tank, hoses, and pumps has very little water in it.

Whether you tarp the boat or not, you can protect the hand rails from snow, ice, or tarp abrasion by putting foam pipe insulation over them and wrapping it with a few turns of tape.

Edited by - on

HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2008 : 22:14:22

Thanks everyone for the feedback, a few things I wouldn't have ever thought about! This year I decided to keep it inside, since I need to do some work on it, and will be warmer and have electricity handy, but won't be the case next year. Can't wait till spring, was eyeing up some iceboats to hold me over :)

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.