Empathy List Archives

K

kurt@iwic.net

Sat, May 8, 1999 11:34 AM

I have just moved to Chicago. I previously lived in Baltimore near the
Chesapeake Bay (which is where my boat still is docked). I have always
wanted to live aboard (since I could never afford the boat of my dreams
and a house at the same time).

My question is, how does one live aboard with such a cold climate in
Chicago? Do you have to pull your boat out of the water and live on
land during the winter? Is it just plain too cold to live aboard?

Any help is much appreciated!!

-Kurt

I have just moved to Chicago. I previously lived in Baltimore near the Chesapeake Bay (which is where my boat still is docked). I have always wanted to live aboard (since I could never afford the boat of my dreams and a house at the same time). My question is, how does one live aboard with such a cold climate in Chicago? Do you have to pull your boat out of the water and live on land during the winter? Is it just plain too cold to live aboard? Any help is much appreciated!! -Kurt

E

elnav@ils.net

Sun, May 9, 1999 3:28 AM

At 07:34 AM 5/8/99 -0400, Kurt wrote:

My question is, how does one live aboard with such a cold climate in
Chicago? Do you have to pull your boat out of the water and live on
land during the winter? Is it just plain too cold to live aboard?

Any help is much appreciated!!

-Kurt

Arild writes:

No you don't have to pull the boat out of the water. You use a special
set of pumps that agitate the water to keep ice from forming.
Mind you the boat should be insulated to keep condensation from freezing
on the inside of the hull.
A diesel fired heater ( furnace) is the best bet for keeping warm.
Elecrtic heat is too expensive and does not prevent drafts.
A forced air system can usually be designed to eliminate that.
Here in Toronto may liveaboards build a plastic tent over the hull much
like the tarping used when the boat is drydocked.
It must be designed with steep sides to shed snow. Use clear plastic about
10 mil in thickness. Theis allows moer sunlight in which helps heat the
boat like a greenhouse effect when the sun is shining. I have seen
several boats with a door frame and door installed as part of this winter
cover. Makes life a lot easier than crawling up under the edge of the
canvas or tarp.

Since you can't get your holding tanks pumped out you need to be docked
close to a place that has toilets and showers open all year round. Some
marinas do as well as some yacht clubs.

It isn't for everyone but a surprising number of people do like this
lifestyle and cope sucessfully with a sub arctic winter in the Great Lakes.

Good luck

Arild

At 07:34 AM 5/8/99 -0400, Kurt wrote: > >My question is, how does one live aboard with such a cold climate in >Chicago? Do you have to pull your boat out of the water and live on >land during the winter? Is it just plain too cold to live aboard? > >Any help is much appreciated!! > >-Kurt Arild writes: No you don't have to pull the boat out of the water. You use a special set of pumps that agitate the water to keep ice from forming. Mind you the boat should be insulated to keep condensation from freezing on the inside of the hull. A diesel fired heater ( furnace) is the best bet for keeping warm. Elecrtic heat is too expensive and does not prevent drafts. A forced air system can usually be designed to eliminate that. Here in Toronto may liveaboards build a plastic tent over the hull much like the tarping used when the boat is drydocked. It must be designed with steep sides to shed snow. Use clear plastic about 10 mil in thickness. Theis allows moer sunlight in which helps heat the boat like a greenhouse effect when the sun is shining. I have seen several boats with a door frame and door installed as part of this winter cover. Makes life a lot easier than crawling up under the edge of the canvas or tarp. Since you can't get your holding tanks pumped out you need to be docked close to a place that has toilets and showers open all year round. Some marinas do as well as some yacht clubs. It isn't for everyone but a surprising number of people do like this lifestyle and cope sucessfully with a sub arctic winter in the Great Lakes. Good luck Arild

J

jakohn@ameritech.net

Sun, May 9, 1999 11:24 AM

Kurt Krummel wrote:

My question is, how does one live aboard with such a cold climate in
Chicago? Do you have to pull your boat out of the water and live on
land during the winter? Is it just plain too cold to live aboard?

Well Kurt, I am a Great Lakes sailor also. I have never lived aboard
during the winter, but know folks who have. You must bubble the slip
you are in to keep the water from freezing. Most folks build a small
temporary cover over the main entry access to the vessel to protect
against snow and ice.

The main complaint is condensation forming inside the hull. It must be
preventable, but I don't know how. Year round live aboards on the GL are
not common. Many marinas don't allow it.

Jeff Kohn
Novi, Michigan

Kurt Krummel wrote: > > My question is, how does one live aboard with such a cold climate in > Chicago? Do you have to pull your boat out of the water and live on > land during the winter? Is it just plain too cold to live aboard? > Well Kurt, I am a Great Lakes sailor also. I have never lived aboard during the winter, but know folks who have. You must bubble the slip you are in to keep the water from freezing. Most folks build a small temporary cover over the main entry access to the vessel to protect against snow and ice. The main complaint is condensation forming inside the hull. It must be preventable, but I don't know how. Year round live aboards on the GL are not common. Many marinas don't allow it. Jeff Kohn Novi, Michigan

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

Living aboard in the Great Lakes