Winterization
Written by Kevin Morin
After many trials and errors, we have found that winterizing boats with the Nickels Boat Works winterizing kit is the only quick and reliable method. Their kit comes with a tarp, a tenting brace, and the necessary lines.
Their system installs very quickly (under 30 minutes), and last without trouble through an entire winter season. Their winterization system works for boats that have trailering covers in place, and ones that don’t have covers.
Here are the installation steps:
-If the mast is on the mast stand, remove it and set it on the deck of the boat.
-Tie the rear support line to the aft most portion of the trailer near the bunks with bowlines. <picture of the tie down hooks built in to the trailer> The line (when stretched out) should peak at the skeg. <picture of the tie down adjusted correctly>
-Tie the main tent line to the rear support line with a bowline. <picture of the rear support line and the main tent line tied together>
-Run the main tent line through the hole in the tenting brace, wrap the line around the brace once, and place carpet under each leg of the tenting brace.
-Run the main tent line from the tenting brace to the mast stand’s eye loop. <picture of the main tent line mostly installed>
-Tie a loop in to the main tent line about 3 feet aft of the mast stand. Run the line from the mast stand’s eye loop to the loop in the line. This will allow the line to be snugged more easily. <picture of loop in the line and of the doubling back>
-Verify that the tenting brace, main tent line and the rear support line look well installed.
-Throw the tarp over the tent lines and tie it down to the trailer. Use clips to close the tarp at the bow and transom. <picture of the tarp installed and tied down>
