Marina: Gosport
Some practical and helpful tips for keeping your boat protected this winter, brought to you by Hugh Millerchip, Gosport Marina's Assistant Marina Manager...
- Book early if you want specific dates, a crane can only lift so many boats a week.
- Fill your diesel tank to reduce condensation and empty your fresh water tanks to avoid freezing.
- Protect your engine against freezing. Contact your engineer about winterising.
- Always take advantage of the weather. It only gets worse and putting antifouling on in February is like trying to paint with treacle.
- Always put extra coats of antifouling on your rudder and high wear points.
- Do not paint normal antifouling on to any metal. This will dramatically increase electrolysis on the boat. Special antifouling (metal free) is available for this.
- Do not leave masking tape on for longer than it has to be. If it dries out it is very difficult to remove fully.
- Leave a little antifouling in your paint pot hanging on the propeller with a brush. The boatyard will paint in your patches.
- Always check your seacocks when the boat is ashore. If in doubt get a recommended professional to do it the first time and arrange to watch him do it.
- If in doubt about anodes replace them. If they are the clamp type going on the shaft use two as they have a habit of shaking loose.
- If you have time, take advantage of being ashore and polish your hull. Borrow or hire a small platform so you can easily reach your hull. It is much easier to do ashore than afloat.
- Never remove or loosen shores, chocks or wedges. Always ask the boatyard staff to do this for you.
- Sail drive or leg propulsion units can sometimes only be serviced out of the water. Contact a recommended engineer if in doubt.
- If you have any queries or concerns ask at your berthing office. Someone there will be able to help you and if they can't, they will know someone who can.
Winter berthing and boatyard quotes are now available on our website, get a quote and book online now!
