winter storage: de-mast or not?

cb.bradley.RemoveThis@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi, question regarding de-masting the boat for winter storage - at my
> marina,
> they can drop the boat on the cradle and then take the whole assembly
> over to the yard, and since they've got the right equipment, etc etc,
> and there are no power lines, etc etc, I don't have to take the mast
> down.
>
> Most people at this place do not take their masts down. Wide variety of
> sailboats here, from extremely nice/new to lower end/older.
>
> However the previous owner recommends taking it down more or less to
> reduce various stresses, temperature up/down, windage, and so on.
>
> What's the general thought out there on this? The mast is mounted on
> the deck, and the boat is a 26' sloop, so we're not talking about a
> HUGE effort taking it down, but what are the points/counterpoints here?
>
> Thanks for anyone's thoughts on the matter. Cheers,
>
> -CB
>
If some vandal burns your boat and the mast falls onto other boats,
your damage claim is higher. Higher third party claims means
(possibly) an attitude on the adjuster's part.

It happenned to me.

Spending a winter in the sun and ice shouldn't hurt your rigging.

Terry K
 >> Stay informed about: winter storage: de-mast or not? 

I have been taking my mast down for winterization. The big benefit is that I
lay the mast down the centre-line of the deck front bow to stern. The mast
is supported by an A-frame at the stern of the boat and rests nicely on the
bow pulpit. With this laying down it makes a nice tent-pole to drape my
canvas tarp over the boat.

When I tarp the boat, the only problem I have in the spring is cleaning the
boat... no leaks.
The one year that I left the mast up, my fibreglass scuppers became clogged
with ice and split, letting water into the boat. With my tarp over the boat,
the cockpit does not see any percipitation.

If you are not worried about clogged scuppers as I am, then leave the mast
up.

Scott.

<cb.bradley.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1128205157.104981.219730@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Hi, question regarding de-masting the boat for winter storage - at my
> marina,
> they can drop the boat on the cradle and then take the whole assembly
> over to the yard, and since they've got the right equipment, etc etc,
> and there are no power lines, etc etc, I don't have to take the mast
> down.
>
> Most people at this place do not take their masts down. Wide variety of
> sailboats here, from extremely nice/new to lower end/older.
>
> However the previous owner recommends taking it down more or less to
> reduce various stresses, temperature up/down, windage, and so on.
>
> What's the general thought out there on this? The mast is mounted on
> the deck, and the boat is a 26' sloop, so we're not talking about a
> HUGE effort taking it down, but what are the points/counterpoints here?
>
> Thanks for anyone's thoughts on the matter. Cheers,
>
> -CB
>
 >> Stay informed about: winter storage: de-mast or not? 

Stored my C&C 34 with the mast up for 4 years without any problems (SW
Ontario). Never loosened the standing rigging or did anything else special.
I don't think the stresses/strains are going to be any greater than when you
are sailing. The way I looked at it, more damage was likely to occur during
the take-down/restepping than from leaving it up.

<cb.bradley.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1128205157.104981.219730@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Hi, question regarding de-masting the boat for winter storage - at my
> marina,
> they can drop the boat on the cradle and then take the whole assembly
> over to the yard, and since they've got the right equipment, etc etc,
> and there are no power lines, etc etc, I don't have to take the mast
> down.
>
> Most people at this place do not take their masts down. Wide variety of
> sailboats here, from extremely nice/new to lower end/older.
>
> However the previous owner recommends taking it down more or less to
> reduce various stresses, temperature up/down, windage, and so on.
>
> What's the general thought out there on this? The mast is mounted on
> the deck, and the boat is a 26' sloop, so we're not talking about a
> HUGE effort taking it down, but what are the points/counterpoints here?
>
> Thanks for anyone's thoughts on the matter. Cheers,
>
> -CB
>
 >> Stay informed about: winter storage: de-mast or not? 

Thanks for all your input - the jury's still out but I'll try to
solidify my position by Friday's haulout

Cheers,

-CB
 >> Stay informed about: winter storage: de-mast or not? 

cb.bradley.TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for all your input - the jury's still out but I'll try to
> solidify my position by Friday's haulout
>
> Cheers,
>
> -CB
>

One more little thing.

Presuming you have a tabernacle cabin top stepped mast, of course.

If you are hesitant about raising and lowering your mast yourself,
you could consider figuring out how to do it easy and safe, yourself.

My mast goes up and down at will, using an A frame (boom +spinnaker
pole) with only a few rigging adjustments, afloat or ashore.

If it was easy enough, would you ask this question?

The mast, sans spreaders, makes a fine snow tent purlin for the
winter tent.

How often do you check the topping lift, cable ends at the masthead,
sheaves, resnug the radio connection, change lamps up there, etc?
 >> Stay informed about: winter storage: de-mast or not?