All but a very small percentage of sailboats (the
trailerables) leave the mast up all of the time. I've had boats for years
which sit on trailers with the mast up and have never had damage to the rig or
the hull. In fact, you could make a pretty good argument that the boats stored
in the water pass more wear and tear onto the rigging from the wakes and
constant water movement than windage to the rig passes on to the hull. Every
time I have visited parts of the world where water freezes they simply
dry dock the boat just as it came out of the water. You can imagine the cost if
every sailboat had to drop it's mast for winter. If it makes you feel
better, drop the mast, but if you have a good reason to leave it up be assured
all will be well when spring comes.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 5:43
PM
Subject: Re: M_Boats: new owner
I would NOT store it on the trailer with the stick up. This
is done all the time in lake dry storage yards, but when the wind blows, the
stress is taken in the hull. It transfers to the hull through the rigging.
When a boat is in the water, the boat rocks which takes up much of the energy
before it gets to the hull. As others have said, a cover works better with the
mast down.
Have fun with it; Sandy