It’s the end of another busy season that was filled with interesting and vexing situations out on the water. As a TowBoatUS Captain I could fill a book. I share these stories not to amuse or scare my fellow boaters but to help prevent costly errors.
This month’s stories revolve around surviving another long winter. If you think TowBoatUS shuts down in the winter, you are wrong. We spend many winter days raising boats that have sunk in the slip due to neglect or improper winterization. Last winter, we raised a 60’ sailboat which had sunk in its slip in late January. After a week of freezing weather and then a day or two of thaw, the boat owner looked out his window and all he could see of the sailboat was the boom and mast sticking above the water. Had he inspected his vessel regularly he would have spotted the cracked through hull and could have prevented most of the damage.
Take the time to inspect fittings and thru hulls on a regular basis. Make sure your bilge is clear of ice and debris and working properly. And, remember to check your dock lines. We’ve seen improperly tied up boats get forced under a pier during low tied and sunk at high tide. Read up on how to attach spring lines and use chafe guards if you are going to leave your boat unattended in the water for a long period of time. I’ve seen the snow from a single snowstorm scuttle a 24’ boat. Check on your boat often and be prepared to shovel snow accumulation. Snow weighs an average of 20lbs per cubic foot. Your boat was designed to hold just so much weight before the gunwales will dip below the surface allowing the boat to fill with water and sink. Maryland weather is unpredictable.
However, you can predict that it’s going to get cold. If you keep your boat in the water, you have to winterize. A light bulb in the engine compartment might help delay the winterization process until the last days of rockfish season, but don’t rely on it to replace service. One day with no electric because of a storm and your boat could end up on the bottom. If you are new at winterizing, leave it to a professional. Errors or omissions in winterization can be costly and many insurance companies will find fault and may not provide coverage. BoatUS offers a great article and checklist for winterizing. You can find it on our website at http://www./news/boatus-winterization-tips.
There’s a good amount of fall boating left but don’t put off making a solid plan for winterizing your boat. Remember, we are here for you throughout the year for more than just towing. We have the gear and the expertise to help you in any emergency – day or night. Thanks for being a member and as always, happy to help.
