Every year I tell myself I will plan the haul-out properly and every year October arrives and I am scrambling to book a slot at STP or Astilleros. So this year I am getting ahead of it.
For those who keep your boats here year-round, when do you typically pull out for antifouling and winter maintenance? I have always gone late October but my neighbour in the marina swears by mid-November, says the water is still warm enough to work comfortably and the yards are less busy by then.
The other question is whether anyone has tried the newer copper-free antifouling paints. The marina has been making noises about environmental regulations tightening and I am wondering if it is worth switching now before we are forced to. My Bavaria has always had Hempel hard racing but I am open to alternatives if they actually last a full season in these waters.
Also — and this is mainly directed at James and Katrin who I know keep busy schedules — do either of you use a gestor or boatyard manager to coordinate the work, or do you just handle everything yourselves? I have been doing it all myself for twenty years but I am getting to the age where paying someone to deal with the scaffolding and the sanding sounds very attractive.
Good thinking getting ahead of it Carlos. I learned that lesson the hard way my first year here — left it until the first week of November and STP was completely booked until January.
I pull the Rassy out in the last week of October now, every year without fail. Late enough that I get a full season but early enough to beat the rush. The yard at Port de Pollença is smaller than STP but the guys there know what they are doing and I can walk down to check on her whenever I like.
One thing worth mentioning — if you are doing your own antifouling, the temperature matters more than people think. Below about 15 degrees the paint does not cure properly. Late October the air temp is still in the low 20s most days so you have a comfortable window.
This is making me realise I need to start thinking about this even though I don’t own a boat. The yacht I’ve been crewing on is hauled at STP and the owner mentioned he could use an extra pair of hands with antifouling this year. I said yes without really knowing what I was signing up for — Carlos, how messy are we talking? Should I wear clothes I never want to see again?
Sophie, yes — wear clothes you never want to see again. I am not joking. Antifouling paint gets everywhere and it does not come off skin easily either, bring gloves and something to cover your arms.
That said it is actually a really good thing to do at least once. You learn so much about what is going on below the waterline — the state of the anodes, the condition of the prop, where the osmosis blisters are forming. My first year doing it I found a through-hull fitting that was weeping and I would never have noticed from inside the boat.
STP slots are already filling up for late October by the way. If your owner has not booked yet, tell him to call this week.
Okay silly beginner question — what exactly is antifouling? I keep seeing the word everywhere and I am guessing it is some kind of paint that goes on the bottom of the boat? What is it protecting against?
Also Sophie if you end up helping with it and they need another pair of hands I would love to come along just to learn. I figure if I am going to be a proper sailor here I should know what happens underneath the boat too, not just on top of it.