Get ready for winter as the clocks change

As the clocks change, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your boat for the winter.

The weather may feel mild while you’re still enjoying autumn colours along the banks of the Beaulieu River but don’t get caught out by potential early season storms.

From moving your boat into the marina with a winter sub-let to unstepping masts and storing outboard engines in secure containers, there are ways we can help to get you ready.

Whether you’re a visitor or mooring holder, now is the time to consider moving your boat to our sheltered, fully-serviced marina. Make the most of winter discounts from November 1st to March 21st with temporary lets at just £2.85 a metre per night in the marina, or £1.75 on the river for a minimum one-month stay.

All stays include our first-class customer service and facilities, well-equipped boatyard and chandlery, as well as easy access to the Solent. Call the harbour team on 01590 616200 or [email protected] to find out more.

We can help with a variety of services including unstepping masts, or you can hire our cherry picker for off-season tasks such as instrument maintenance or cleaning your mast and spreaders. Or if you would like to lift out your boat this winter, we recommend putting your request in soon, as slots are filling up fast.

Carrying out your own checks is also important, from wear and tear on your ropes to ensuring fenders are fully inflated. We recommend you use twice as many mooring lines as normal to fully secure your boat at this time of year.

It’s amazing how quickly a rope can be destroyed by a sharp edge, so check fairleads and cleats to eliminate sharp edges and protect your lines against rubbing by using old rags, sticky sail repair patches or split pipe.

If you need to leave spray hoods, cockpit enclosers or covers in place, then ensure they are properly secured and consider frapping them with extra ropes over the top of the canvas. Then go below deck to close and lock all hatches, portholes and windows, so gale-powered rain doesn’t find a way in.

Keep your scuppers and cockpit drains clear by checking they’re not already blocked by autumn leaves and debris.

It goes without saying that you should remove anything from on deck to reduce windage. Though also take down dodgers, biminis, boom-tents, MOB gear, spinnaker or whisker poles. A snapped furling line will result in a shredded genoa, so if you must leave furled genoas bent on then don’t rely solely on the furling line to keep sails furled.

Finally, moor your boat facing into the prevailing wind, as most will suffer less risk of damage this way. And check your insurance covers winter mooring months and that third-party is sufficient to protect your investment, in case the worst happens.

We are lucky to have a sheltered location at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour and our team will be walking the pontoons, while also being on hand to help prevent damage. Though taking preparations in hand now will give you more peace of mind when storm warnings begin.