In order to prevent a boat from being damaged during harsh winter conditions, it must be properly winterized.

Running Rigging

Running rigging is all of the lines used to control the boat. These lines degrade in UV light and freeze and thaw of snow and ice breaks apart the individual fibers. Therefore to prevent premature wear on the lines, all lines are replaced with messenger lines. This step is usually done at the end of the fall delivery. Messenger lines are inexpensive lines that take the place of the normal working lines and make it easier to run the normal lines in the spring. Without messenger lines someone would need to climb the mast and feed the lines through the sheaves.

Water and sanitation systems

Since water expands as it freezes, all water tanks need to be drained and antifreeze added to prevent damage. The waste tank is emptied at the start of the fall delivery. The fresh water tank is emptied and after antifreeze is added to the tank, the system is run to ensure that all water has been replaced with antifreeze in any hoses. The head is drained and cleaned. Antifreeze is run through the deck wash system to ensure no water remains. Any through hull that could retain water is opened and allowed to dry.

Electrical systems

As the batteries can freeze, they need to be removed from the boat, topped off, and stored in a warm location for the winter.

Teak

Some years, rather than waiting for the spring to refinish the teak, it is done in the fall. Rather than use varnish to protect the teak, which can require up to 15 coats, I use Cetal, which is much easier to apply and requires only three coats. Most years I only apply a maintenance coat. To apply the maintenance coat we first clean and then sand the teak with fine grain sandpaper. All of the dust is then cleaned off using denatured alcohol and a tack cloth. All areas not to be painted must be masked off, and finally a fresh coat of Cetal is brushed on. The problems with the teak work are usually weather related. It must be done on a dry but not sunny day when the temperature is over 50 degrees.