While some members of the editorial team are defying the weather and have already put their yacht in the water or have never even launched it, there are others who haven't lifted a finger since last autumn. The majority, however, are currently spending their weekends busily in winter storage, eagerly awaiting the start of the season. We have organised a large Season start special which covers all the important topics relating to winterising and also takes you by the hand!
If you haven't finished everything yet, don't worry, most of us haven't either. Here's an update from the editorial team:
Fridtjof Gunkel (Dehler 38)
As usual, we started the season early, some of the winter storage work was already done in the autumn, so we had a certain amount of temperature security for painting the underwater hull. The boat has been afloat again since the end of February, and the weather was also quite favourable for rigging and fitting the sails. Now there are just a few things to do, such as the autopilot's compass, then all systems will be back in top shape for a long season. The nautical charts for eastern Sweden are already on board.
Andreas Fritsch (Grinde)
Our bark is still wrapped in tarpaulin on the Schlei. At least we know since last week that we can actually get to our berth down the Schlei (three knocks on wood), as the Lindaunis bridge should be demolished by then. The work on the boat this year is limited to the bare essentials: polishing, new mast sleeve, painting a few wooden parts, new furling line including guide rollers for the genoa, new sheets. Just small stuff. Oh yes, and the financially big chunk: new cushions, if it works out before the start of the season. Hopefully we'll be in the water on 6 April when the temperatures are higher. As we didn't take a picture of the boat wrapped in tarpaulin (who wants to see that ...), here's one of the crane out in October.
Michael Good (45 National Cruiser)
No joke: the launching takes place on 1 April this year. The date has to be agreed with the harbour master well in advance and well planned. This is because the 45 National Cruiser, built in 1917, is anything but leak-proof after winter storage. The hull is visibly cracked at the joints, which is nothing other than normal for carvel-planked classics. So it will take some time again this year before the planks are "tightened". That's why we urgently need the last crane appointment on Saturday evening so that our classic can remain hanging in the belts until Monday morning. Then the fire brigade pump with automatic switch-on will reliably take care of the bilge pumping. If all goes well - and it has always gone well - the "Schnuppe" will be ready for use again by Good Friday at the latest.
Johannes Erdmann (Mahé 36)
Our Mahé 36 is waiting for us in sunny Greece. The problem with a mooring a long way away is that you can't just go there for a Saturday to tinker. To make it worthwhile, you always have to plan a whole weekend and prepare everything logistically. I'm currently packing a pallet with new batteries, cables, inverter, solar panels, plotter, life raft and new saloon cushions, which will be lorried to Greece at the beginning of April. A week later it will probably be between the two hulls and the work can begin.
Lars Bolle (JK 28)
My JK-28 dinghy cruiser should actually be ready to sail. Subjunctive mood, because I haven't seen it since October. It's still a fairly new boat, which gives me the luxury of not having to do much to it. What's more, there's not much that could be done to it. In autumn, I took it to the boat builder because it was trailerable and had him renew the antifouling. That's all the winter work I've done so far. Outsourcing the antifouling coating to a professional was one of the best decisions in terms of winter work. Not having to crawl under the boat on the road trailer and handle the paint in an extremely unergonomic position has made the winter season very relaxed. There are still a few smaller projects on the to-do list, but I can always do them. I still have to polish the hull, but I'll wait until most of the other yachts are brought out of winter storage. On a sunny day, I'll then pull my dinghy cruiser into the shed and hopefully be able to relax and put the finishing touches to it. Fortunately, I'm not tied to crane dates due to trailer and slip availability.
Kristina Müller (Reinke 10M)
After a winter in the water in the hope of beautiful off-season sailing days, the boat is ready to sail. Actually. Because there's always something to do. Especially below deck, the motto in preparation for a longer cruise is "Living more beautifully and safely on board". The to-do list includes things like: Fitting a leeward sail, screwing on a barometer, sewing UV protection for the hatches. But also: swapping reefing lines, looking for a place for the stern anchor and so on and so forth - all sorts of little things that add up to a lot of crap and make the time until the start of the season fly by.
Sören Reineke (30 dinghy cruiser)
Unfortunately, it's not clear when we'll make it into the water, but thanks to sound measurement and needle scalers, we will. The neighbours are sure to be out of the hall soon, so nobody will complain ... The hope remains that there will be no more surprises. And then just paint the wood! Oh dear, sailing ...
Hauke Schmidt (Bianca 107)
Thanks to two weeks of remaining "holiday" in winter storage, it looks good, antifouling under the supports still needs to be painted, everything is polished and sealed, at two degrees, brrr. Bus system rewired and data converter added. The sailmaker got in touch yesterday, the sails have been checked and are ready for the season! A few more little things and the crane date can come.
The big season start special
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising and things are getting busier in the winter storage sheds - unmistakable signs that the start of the season is approaching. To avoid any nasty surprises afterwards, there are many things to check and maintain when winterising your yacht. We have summarised the most important points in detailed articles with explanatory videos.
An overview of the topics:
- Part 1: Renew antifouling
- Part 2: Servicing the steering gear
- Part 3: Correct polishing of hull and deck
- Part 4: Check rig and mast and trim correctly
- Part 5: Maintenance of deck fittings and winches
- Part 6: Check and repair sails
- Part 7: Safety equipment check
- Part 8: Engine and outboard motor maintenance
