Boats are work!

They call houses money pits!  Boats are big gashes in the side of the hull with money flowing out all the time.  Because we live in the northeast and the boating season (for us anyways) is April through November, boats need to come out of the water and be stored.  Winterizing a boat carries costs:  Hauling (and launching) and powerwashing the boat, winterizing the engines, winterizing all the water and boat systems, storing the boat, painting the bottom and all the other little maintenance type items. This is also the time that we put a good coat of polish on the boat.  With a honey doooo list in hand for the boat and house, the projects for the winter are being crossed off slowly.  It is always nice to be on the island of Cape Cod.

Until the Lines are Untied Again!

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The boot stripe needs to be "touched up" with additional striping
Not from a docking boo boo!  It usually comes off from the
powerwashing.

All the zincs need to be re-placed.  This zinc is located on
the trim tab.  Why are zinc's used?  Any time you have two
different metals that are physically or electrically
connected and immersed in seawater, they become a battery.

The horizontal joint needs to be re-caulked.  The existing caulk has been
removed and the joint cleaned.  Maintaining caulked joints will decrease
the chance of water infiltration.

Two (2) snaps need to be re-placed.  Every year 1-3 snaps need attention.

The canvas snap which attaches to the hard top needs to be re-placed.

Wet Paint tucked away in the building.  The bottom is painted and ready
to go.  A good coat of polish to the boat in the spring will protect
the gel coat and make her look brand new.

I wash all the lines and add cups of fabric softener.  We like our lines to be
clean and soft for easy handling.

The dock is out and the air and water are winter cold.  I love the cape
this time of the year, except for the cold.

The sea grass is dormant and the house looks (was) cold.  There is still
nothing like taking a little time to sit on the deck and just "chill"
for a bit.

Hallie on the deck is not happy she can not come down on the beach.  She
watches me as I walk down the walk to the beach.

Okay Dad, can we play now?