Hello from Johnny - Testing Winter Long-Term Cruising!

[johnnyL]

Hello everyone,

My name is Johnny, and I’m new to the forum. I’m currently testing out winter long-term cruising and experimenting with my setup. To manage the colder months, I’ve been using sump pumps as bubblers to prevent ice buildup, sleeping bags laid over the deck for insulation, and 12-mil tarps for extra protection.

I’m excited to be here and looking forward to connecting with fellow enthusiasts. If you have tips for winter cruising or innovative ways to stay warm and protect your boat in freezing conditions, I’d love to hear them!



~Johnny

35-2
"Fuzzy Logic"
Duluth MN

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Welcome Johnny! You're a hardy soul!
When you say cruising, do you mean that you're moving from harbor to harbor, or are you staying in one spot all winter?
If it turns out you like this lifestyle and you're staying in one spot, you might want to learn how to shrink wrap and accumulate the frame and tools necessary (or hire someone to do it). Friends who have been live-aboards found this gave them extra living/storage space, better protection from the elements, and light. They had a door assembly as part of the frame which they reused every year. They used the translucent wrap, rather than white which gave them a good deal of greenhouse warming.

 

[johnnyL]

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Shrink wrapping was definitely part of the plan, but with the mast, boom, and lines in place, tarps ended up being the easier option for now. I’ll definitely look into shrink wrapping in the future it sounds like it could make a big difference in comfort and protection. I know space is on my list for next time!

For insurance reasons, I’m not technically living aboard but doing long-term cruising locally, moving between Duluth and Bayfield. That said, I’m currently iced in, so it looks like I’ll be staying put for a bit!

Appreciate the advice and looking forward to learning more!

~Johnny

 

[Pete the Cat]

You need to keep the ice away from your hull as I guess you are doing. Even a thin coating will etch the fiberglass at the waterline and can be a mess to fix. I once had a boat for a winter on a river.

 

[johnnyL]

You need to keep the ice away from your hull as I guess you are doing. Even a thin coating will etch the fiberglass at the waterline and can be a mess to fix. I once had a boat for a winter on a river.

Good to know! I have had thin ice build up at the water line. What did you have to do to fix? I am hauling out this spring to replace all thru hulls / delete some. Is that the best time to check and treat the etching?

 

[Pete the Cat]

Good to know! I have had thin ice build up at the water line. What did you have to do to fix? I am hauling out this spring to replace all thru hulls / delete some. Is that the best time to check and treat the etching?

Generally keeping a bubbler under the boat so that the ice never forms.