Organizing winter boat storage.
In October, it can now be said with some certainty: summer is definitely behind us. This certainly does not mean that you can no longer use your boat. On the contrary, in this season you can still enjoy wonderful sunny days, to go out to sea in complete tranquility. And we, from our tourist marina in Genoa, know this very well, seeing and assisting every day boats of all kinds that leave and reach our moorings.
Some go not far, sometimes to fish, while others leave their berth at Marina Porto Antico to set sail for Portofino, the Cinque Terre, or the Côte d’Azur, and often to more distant destinations. The fact that October is an excellent month for sailing is also demonstrated by our intention to organize, on October 15, the first regatta of the VSG Cup 2022-2023, right here, in the waters of Genoa.
However, this does not change the fact that in these weeks it is essential to organize for winter boat storage. And the main decision here is always the same: is it better to opt for winter storage in water, or is it better to dry dock your boat? Let’s look at the pros and cons to make an informed decision.
The advantages of winter boat storage in water.
There is no doubt, choosing winter boat storage in water has a lot of advantages. And it is even difficult to identify the first, most important one. There are many seasoned sailors who start from the classic adage “hulls are made to float, not to be impaled in a cradle.” It is no coincidence that the operations of placing your boat in a cradle are always followed with considerable concern. But perhaps the main advantage for those who opt for winter storage in water is being able to always and serenely use their boat, on all the beautiful autumn and winter days, something that those who decide to dry dock their boat certainly cannot do. Thus, you will not have to put an end to your season, making the most of your boat. In this way, moreover, the systems will remain operational, with the engine and bilge pump not remaining idle for months, leaving others the potential dents of the cradles. There is therefore no doubt: for those who think they can and want to use their boat even outside of summer, winter boat storage in water is definitely the best option. Provided, of course, that you find a suitable berth for wintering, and therefore a berth that guarantees your hull a high degree of protection.
The disadvantages of winter mooring in water
Certainly, there are also disadvantages to wanting to keep the boat in water for storage. First of all, there are the threats posed by storms, corrosion, as well as the possibility of breaking mooring lines and moorings. And again, there are potential leaks, the blockage of automatic bilge pumps, and so on. However, it must be said that all these possible threats can be eliminated at the outset by properly preparing the winter mooring. And so we return to the choice of the suitable marina for wintering, in terms of location and assistance, as well as obviously the correct maintenance of the boat in view of the winter season.
Pros and cons of dry winter storage.
The other option is obviously to haul the boat ashore. Here the hassle, to use a Frenchism, is first of all having to put a cross on outings: opting for the cradle means not being able to sail until spring. And this is a big problem for many sailors in Liguria: think about what it means to go out in winter on beautiful days with the north wind, think about what it means to sail seeing there, in the distance, the snow-covered Tuscan and Emilian Apennines.
Certainly, in the impossibility of relying on a protected water mooring for the boat, and for those who do not intend to use their boat at all during the winter, dry storage remains a good option. In this way, you do not have to fear storms, it is possible to reduce humidity, and it will be easier to carry out various maintenance activities. It will in any case be essential to rely on professionals for placing the hull in a cradle: too many falls from supports have been seen.
What to consider
In both cases, whether you opt for winter boat storage on land or in water, you must always proceed with careful preparation. Thus, the protective covers come into play, which must protect against the elements but still allow good ventilation, to avoid excessive humidity; and thus a complete check-up of the boat is necessary, especially for those who will leave it alone for months. From this point of view, the work will be lighter for those who opt for winter mooring at the dock, knowing that fenders, mooring lines, and so on must be perfectly arranged.
Winter storage of your boat in Genoa
Those who opt for winter storage in water for their boat will find the ideal mooring in our tourist port in Genoa. Marina Porto Antico indeed offers secure berths all year round, thanks to its particularly sheltered position around the Port of Genoa. But it is not only a matter of the geographical positioning of the dock. Our marina in Genoa can indeed rely on secure equipment at the docks, as well as the constant presence of expert, competent, and professional staff. In short, we have no problem stating that ours is one of the safest tourist ports in Liguria, even in winter. We do not fear the elements, nor prying eyes and hands, thanks to our video surveillance system and the security service active every night.
Do you want to spend a winter in complete tranquility, without denying yourself the pleasure of using the boat whenever you want? Contact us, and book your winter mooring in our tourist port in the center of Genoa: it will be a real pleasure to take care of your boat!
