Winter storage - risks of water freezing in hulls

I'm getting some rainwater in my hulls with the boat in the storage yard.

I'm worried about water freezing around the centerboard trunk and cracking something below the water line.

I could jack up the trailer tongue to let some water out the drain plugs, but it doesnt all drain out unless the trailer in on a pretty good uphill grade. And raising the bow seems like a good invitation to winter wind to flip it over.

Suggestions?

you could always put some non-toxic antifreeze in it (polyethylene glycol). It is the non-toxic cousin to ethylene glycol (very dangerous stuff). Only question is... what could it do to the inside of the fiberglass.
When I take my cat up to mich in a couple years I plan on putting that stuff in the hulls.

Best to just avoid trapped water. This is a big issue with boats that have molded in features like the Hobie wing tubes, laser / sunfish mast mount holes. Water can also be inside the extrusions. Wing legs, masts etc. Freezing water can split a heavy mast extrusion easily.

This is almost too simple:

Turn the boat upside down.

Use wood blocks or something similar to support it by the crossbars.

nah.. makes too much sense to flip it over... we need to over-think this a little more

How about while you are sitting in the warmth of your house doing your best "girl drink drunk" impression, you could get some of those little maitai drink umbrellas and stick one over each inspection port hole. Actually, I had the concern of water getting into my hulls here in Florida (doesn't freeze). I considered gluing some frisbees to a 9" piece of 2X4 to stick in each hole. That would keep the water out, but let it breathe too. Or better yet... you could turn the boat over and set it on some boards across the beams.

-Rob V.
Glad to be in Panama City
Nacra 5.2

I know this one...... I know this one.........

How about if you wax your hulls? A big clump of wax will give you something to stick the little umbrella in. Also, I read somewhere it makes you faster too.....

The catsailor store sells nice waterproof covers for like $ 200. Form fitting. If I didn't have a barn to put it away in for the winter I'd buy one of those or store it upside down on the trailer.

Greg

Greg, Really wax?? Thanks for the tip!

Another good way to vetilate your hulls is to get a couple extra port covers, go get some pvc fittings. 1 1/2" works good.

The idea is to drill a hole in the cover then glue a short piece of tubing to that, then a couple of 90 degree elbows on that. You wind up with a couple of covers with 1 1/2" holes facing down so nothing can get in but air. Works good for around here to let the hulls dry while keeping the rain out.

I live in Denver, Colo., land of sunshine and low humidity. So I was surprised the other day, when I checked my hulls, and found an inch of water setting in the bottom. There has been no rain or snow since I covered the whole boat with a brand new tarp, so where did the water come from. The boat has not been on the water since '97.

The word is condensation, and the only solution is ventilation!

So I pulled the hull port covers, and a few days later, the hulls are apparently dry again. No dumping, or setting the boat on end.

I don't know what the condensation issues are in other parts of the country, but I expect that if you have humidity and cold hull surfaces, you are getting condensation. Condensation leads to delamination, so you need to get it dried out. The foam holds a lot of water, and even when you dump the water, there is still plenty in there to do damage. When I first cut the ports, there was definitely the smell of humidity in the hulls,

I have even wondered about putting a small fan blowing air into the hull port. That way the hull would be good and dry come next Spring. TnT

Just drill a series of holes along the bottom of each hull for perfect drainage?????? You didn't say that you wanted to use it next summer did you? Just to keep water out of the hulls over winter!

The problem that I have with ventilation is wasps and mud daubers. I've had both build nests on my mono and my powerboat, not to mention under porch roofs, so I keep my hatch covers down tight and my drain plug threaded, but not tight.

Use a fine screen over the holes to keep the bugs out - swipe a pair of pantyhose from the wife/GF and use pieces of it stretched over the openings.

When they ask what you want it for, just wink at them and walk away.

No winking necessary if you take the ones that already have runs. Don't take the good ones - they don't last long.

Matt & Catman have it right. Everywhere there is condensation, sunshine or rain, ventlate. Ventlating the hulls makes sence year round. Many sailors will crack the hull covers when they get on the beach to reduce pressures from the heated air in the hull.

I've seen big boat sailors shrink wrap their boat in the fall and not have openings for ventilation. In the spring they have many gallons of water in the bilge. Those that ventilate have no water or mold problems. The PVC in a extra port cover is a good idea.

I haven't had the wasp problem yet, though I am always looking for a nest. I know it is coming. My only problem parking at Bonita Bay is the spiders. They are everywhere. If I look down my main beam, it looks like a scheen from Alien or something. Egg sacks everywhere. They are just the little brown spiders so they are pretty harmless. It becomes real entertaining when my female co-worker gets onboard. She has arachnaphobia bigtime.

-Rob V.
Panama City
Nacra 5.2

How would one of those solar-powered fans work? They are pretty cheap and durable as heck. Wouldn't it be best if you had access ports in both aft and bow however?

My problem is mice. I'm worried that they will chew holes in the tramp so I plan on dropping moth balls everywhere.
Unless someone thinks of something better?

Greg