Winter Storage Tips (posted on behalf of Ed Jones)

paulsheller

Administrator
Capri 14.2 sailors in the sun belt may not have snow but we also have to think about winter storage as we do have rain and wind. For those using the Catalina canvas cover (expensive, but oh, so nice, as are the ones made by Rooke Sails) it's important to keep water from pooling on it and stretching the cloth. Use all the tiedowns, pulling them tight with rope or shock cords. Also connect the main halyard to the grommets in the middle of the cover so you can lift the center of the cover up like a tent. Oh, and a good way to keep the cover snaps from corroding is to put a dab of vaseline in the female side of each snap.

And be sure to firmly secure the boat to the trailer. Why? I've seen more than one Capri blown off the trailer in winter gales. (We had seven Capris blown off in one storm at our San Diego club.) And chock the wheels so your trailer won't take a tour of the parking lot.

If you live in snow country I don't need to tell you how to protect your Capri in outdoor storage. Some people have made an A-frame that goes over the boat, covered with an extra-strong tarp. It's a bit more trouble, but a well made one can be very effective.
 

Back
Top