For those in the Northern Hemisphere, and far south enough that your boat isn't covered in snow, what sort of work do you do in the off-season to get ready for the first race of the year?

I spent the last couple of days taking parts off for cleaning and lube, and out-of-the-sun storage. I also put on fresh bungee, a new main halyard, and replaced a spin block. I think I'd like to replace some dyneema bits, maybe a new spin halyard and bridles.

Of course, the full yard cover is all buttoned up, too, with chocks strategically placed on the tramp to prevent puddles.

What's your routine?

my off season maintenance revolves around my tri. I would love to be around my blade for a good week or so to get that back into shape, but when I am in Fl I would rather be sailing.

I am in the process of refinishing the rudder on my 31. Inspired by Amador's finish on his F16 Trident- he used Interlux Perfection paint instead of gelcoating- I am going to give that a try. Was thinking about learning how to shoot gelcoat but seems too painful. Of course I am discovering how painful it is getting a good finish without spraying. Not to mention the fumes of the primer- I can feel the neurons fading...

I had hoped to give the 20 a new bottom and add line 'n cleat adjustable diamond wire tension to the a-cat - but delays in getting Garage Mahal wired, plumbed, and fenced are precluding that. In the meantime, I'll tackle some smaller issues on the A-cat - a daggerboard trunk that is leaking water into the hull, fairing both daggerboards, and some minor repairs/replacements to some worn hardware before heading to Islamorada in January. The 20 is in pretty good shape with the re-rigging done to it last spring though it may see a couple of simple rigging changes focused toward buoy racing (since that's what he's slated for in the next couple of months).

The F16 and the HT are in pretty good shape, I've got the all the foils in the shop for ding repair. The ARC 22 is getting a new fwd(not main)beam, and and spin pole, both out of carbon. New paint job(fleet colors!) if time allows. Flight Risk made it thru the season without a single breakage, a first! I've got the big landsailer in the shop repainting the springboard, relocating the mast rotation limiter cleat, and measuring for a cover so I can leave it on the ice(should we get anything usable). Oh yeah, and varnishing a couple of badly neglected paddles. Plenty to do!

Dave

I used to just throw a cheap tarp over it. Had to remember to brush off the snow to avoid ripping the tarp (especially with 10 or more inches at a time).

Last few years, skipped the tarp. Only "damage" was excess exposure to sun, really ruined the black anodizing.

Boatless for the moment, so I don't need to worry about it this year.

Mike

Off season jobs;
Wax race skis - check;
wax training skis - check;
wax teaching skis - check;
Wax playing skis - check;
Buy pair of GS skis - fail.....

Good point scooby. I have tons of opportunities to do frostbiting RC, but I'd much rather go sledding with my 4-year old (actually, he was a riot at age 3).

Mike

I'll be skiing with the whole family; and racing (hopefully) with my 9yo son :-)

Installing new foot straps and new downhaul system. Making new rudder stops and trying to get to the weekly series at Redwood City atleast once a month.

Here in Austin our off season boat work consists of sailing Which we do anytime the air temp is > 40 deg F. Which is most of the time thank goodness!

What off season???

I've jumped onto my friends ol' Cal 25 (and I do mean old) and we are doing AYC's (Annapolis Yacht Club's) fall frostbite series .... last Sunday, 34-36deg, winds +25-30kts and +3ft waves on the Severn River at the Naval Academy!!!! I spent more time standing on the sides of the **** vs standing on the floor of the ****!!!! But she is a webble-wabble as she goes to approx 60deg list and no more ....

Then it is lunch in AYC's clubhouse .... shwanky!!!!

(I make sure to wear a catamaran event shirt, under my outer gear so that they know that I'm from the DARK SIDE and a MULTIHULLER when I take my gear off!!!!)

Harry Murphey

Good for you Harry! We used to have monthly Hobie Cat races over the Fall, Winter, and Spring called the "Nutfreezer", later changed to the "Penguin" series. The scores were compiled over the series and the winners determined for the season. Only times the races were cancelled, were due to the Lakes being frozen over. We even had a "Sea and Ski" Event with lake sailing on one day, and NASTAR downhill runs on the following day at a nearby ski area. Combined scores determined winners. But, alias, the current generation of sailors has not carried on this tradition.
Caleb

I just purchased an Inter/NACRA 20 that is in need of some TLC. It was just dropped it off with a guy that use to work at Performance Catamaran to have some ding repairs to the hulls and get them buffed out. Normally this is something I would do, but with time not being my side and him coming highly recommended from some folks at Mission Bay YC I thought I would give him a shot. That said, I have a lot of other work to do; paint the mast, replace the rigging and some parts, and get the boat back together. Hoping to have it ready to go after the Christmas break which will be in time for some "Nut Freezing" sailing in Ventura.

As for the "Nut Freezer" we did a few of those back in my Force 5/Sunfish days when I lived in PA. We were sailing the day after Christmas @ Marsh Creek in a Loyd Bridges - Sea Hunt style wet suit with all kinds of zippers. The ranger had to come get us off the water as the sun was going down, for as cold as it was, it was one of our great days of sailing with a good consistent wind.

One time we went skiing at Gore Mt/NY on Saturday and white water rafting on the Upper Hudson on Sunday ..... the neat part was the slide down through the trees to the river to launch the raft .... but that water was Cooooollldddddd.

To Ventucky- So you are a "Pennsyl-tuckyen" ... Don't you just miss a GOooooD cheese steak ... on a real Philly roll???? I happen to live 10-15m from Marsh Creek and started sailing there on a Sunfish (in 81-82') before I purchased a H16 ... we may have met years ago ....

Harry

Don't torture me with remembrances of cheese steaks... I used to work at 14th and Walnut, and the guy on the corner made the best in the world... never have had anything to compare since. I've stopped ordering them in restaurants, even the ones that say they're authentic. They lie.

Did you get 'dem wit? or witout?

It's the bread !!!! There is nothing like a fresh Philly Italian roll ....

Of course "wit" onions ....

Now the cheese ... must be Square American ... Provalone ... or Mozzarella .... cheese-wiz is for the tourists that go to Pat's Steaks ... Bob Flay and I, we go to Tony Lukes!!!!

John, I'll just have to have a juicy, glutenous cheese steak "wit" for lunch tomorrow .... now if your stomach starts to rumble say 9-10 o'clock (west coast time) ... it's me sending telopathic "yummy" messages to it ....

Harry

I never went to Pat's or Geno's. The whole Cheez Whiz thing was gross, IMO. I like 'em with provolone, mushrooms, salt and pepper - no sauce, no processed cheese food, no veggies...

Cook the steak with the cheese and the mushrooms, dash of S&P, slap it on an Amoroso roll... It was a lunch fit for a king at $1.25. I had a two-year love/hate relationship with Philly.

John,

A mushroom cheesesteak on a Amoroso roll it is ....

... can I have it "wit" some fried onions ... if chopped finely enough???

Harry

I was there in 94 for a semester off campus in college and remember the place you are talking about. I went "off reservation" one time and tried the chicken with some hot peppers.... and was taught my lesson when I was somehow nearly blinded by a pepper swinging on a piece of cheese going straight into my eye. Holy crap that hurt....