What are the dangers of leaving a boat in saltwater all winter, in very calm water (end of a canal)?

Question

What are the dangers of leaving a boat in saltwater all winter, in very calm water (end of a canal)?

Answer 1

I would make sure your zincs are new, your batteries up for bildge pumps and a heat lamp in the engine compartment or below decks somewhere. Add fuel additive.

Answer 2

Make sure you have good bottom paint and try to move it every so often. The barnacles build up especially when it is warmer. We get a prop that looks like a ball just over the winter in our slip in MD.

Answer 3

First answer is correct. Many boats are kept in the water during winter, even in northern states. I have seen some bad mildew problems, it be on everything.

What we have learned; keep a small heater and AC to run inside the boat, this helps to control moisture. Also if you do have a concern of freezing the heater should help, just depends on where the engine is.

I had a ski boat that we had in a slip at a lake where it get cold in winter, many people winterized their boats, but, we enjoyed using ours often through the winter. That why we had a slip. Jump in and go.  I just had a 40 watt light bulb in the engine compartment and never had a freeze problem.

My brother's boat is in Texas it about 70 feet. He not worry about freezing, but, if he not use heat and AC mildew is a problem. Especially if the  boat all closed up. He can not go out in his boat everyday which would help.

Answer 4

Barnacles!

Answer 5

ICE ! Canals can freeze up solid, crushing the hull like a match stick. the boat gets beat up pretty well even without freezing when left at mooring through the winter.

Answer 6

There are two dangers of leaving a boat overwinter in the water.

First, if the water is liable to freezing then serious damage can be done to the hull, cooling system and hot/cold water systems (whether in salt water or fresh).

Second, even if the water is not liable to freeze, the moisture involved in leaving the boat in the water is just devastating. The mold and mildew problems are overwhelming compared to a boat suffering the same climactic conditions, but not in the water.

Carpets, curtains, upholstery will all suffer much more with the boat in the water than out.

Hope this helps Bigpathome.