Winterization
From MITNA
This is a list of things that must be done to make the boat ready for winter:
Pre-delivery for storage tasks
- Fuel tank should be as empty as possible so it can be easily polished
- Pump out the holding tank
- Confirm Dion's expecting you -- need to book with them a few weeks in advance
- Remove all but the necessary equipment, sails, etc. from the boat. It is a lot easier to do this from the dock in Boston than from the dock or on the hard in Salem
Pre-storage tasks
- Remove all cushion covers, fender covers, and other cloth material and bring to the pavilion to get dry cleaned.
- Remove all tethers, PFDs (inflatable and hard-sided), jacklines, and dry
- Remove all tools and inspect for rust
- Remove all sails and lay out to look for any issues
- Remove all food, dishes, foulies, etc (basically anything that could mildew/rot)
- Remove and wash and dry the spare lines, spinnakers, and anything else that’s wet
- Remove the batteries from the boat and put them on a trickle charger in a heated space
- Medical kit should be removed to some place that will be above freezing over the winter, to avoid damage to medications.
- Bring the compass to a heated space
Use black bins (with yellow tops) to store stuff in Bay 1 (or wherever dockmaster says) at the pavilion. Using lidded bins keeps things from running away in the winter
Offseason Tasks
- Use a solution of bleach and water to spray and wipe down all surfaces (including in cockpit lockers) to remove any mold/mildew growth. This should be followed with a spray of fresh water
- All sails that need work need to be coordinated with sailing master and brought to the North Sails Loft at Dions
- Inspect hull and rigging for any repair needs
- Inspect all lines, rig hardware, and spars before storing them for the winter
- Inspect and inventory safety gear, medical kit, etc.
- Inventory spare parts and make list of needed replacements
- Do a PFD inflation test (24 hours, does it lose air) to see if we need to buy more; inspect for damage, etc.
- Coordinate repairs with Dions as early as possible
- Identify all MIT tasks and do-ers as soon as possible