:'( Ran out of time for sailing, even though the fall has been mostly good weather. Daughter-in-law is having her first child (very soon!) so I'm sure we will be traveling to NC. We also have a Mediterranean cruise soon and that is 15 days in October. Both are wonderful events, but no time for sailing. Did not get out much this season, but mobility issues with my ski injury should not be a factor next spring.
I did take a few shortcuts putting the boat away, since the last few winters have been mild and practically no snow. I did not wash my lines (barely used) and coiled them up in the boat. Sails were folded and likewise not rinsed just folded and left in the boat. Cushions remain in place in the cabin and I did not clean them since they had such little use. The cats will be disappointed as the cushions and sails, in past years, live under the bed and are used for cat naps Got a light-weight blue tarp rather than the heavy silver and brown. Even if I need to replace it half way through the winter, the cost is cheap enough. Electronics, compass, battery, fire extinguisher as well as the portable potty all go down in the basement. Well, that is all. My sailing adventures will be vicariously through forum member's posts and sailing magazines.
Well Brian, even if it doesn't have any sailing involved, sounds like you and yours have a very busy and very exciting near future ahead!
I'm sure most of us cut corners here and there. I for one don't leave anything in the boat between sails that can be removed and brought inside, unless I want it to gather a coat of very fine brown desert dust, which I don't. It's also the reason I never bother washing the boat after a trip, because it won't stay clean long. I much rather wash/clean right before a trip.
Tim - I find that the inside and outside of the boat remain fairly clean and dust free here. Of course there was a period of time when I had furry visitors, but we know that story. Speaking of furry critters, my neighborhood cat patrol has taken to napping on the keel bunk. Not a bad thing to discourage racoons.
Yeah, I think I'd rather have a cat taking up residence than a trash panda! 😆