Level Storage

Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025
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I’ll start a new thread on this one so as not to alter Rebecca Bray’s thread on rainwater in the bilge. The common point is Ms Bray’s observation that Tessa was stored slightly bow up. On my 33, I have found that the boat wants to be stored level, in my case, in its cradle which is the common storage method here, at least in Kingston. I would anticipate the same applies to jack stand storage. This is because the deck drains mid-ship through two scuppers, one each side but the cockpit seats and sole drain aft through two scuppers ( on my 33 and I assume others, the cockpit sole between the steering pedestal and companionway can be lifted out to access the engine or clamped down and has gutters to the scuppers but suffice to say it’s important to ensure that the scuppers, hoses, and thru hull valves are clear). When I first purchased the boat, I was asked by the yard whether I wanted the boat stored bow up and from experience, and not knowing any better, I said yes. By happenstance it rained that first night of storage and upon visiting the boat the next morning, I found the deck fuel fill on the port rear quarterdeck under an inch + of water. Yikes ! The yard promptly levelled the boat. My practice ever since is that once the boat is settled on the cradle with most of the weight on the keel but still in the slings before the cradle pads are snugged up, is to climb aboard with a level and small pail of water. Using the sliding hatch at the companionway, I check for levelness forward/aft and port/starboard, then pour the water on the rear quarterdeck and cockpit sole to ensure deck drainage forward to the midship scuppers and cockpit drainage aft. The marina pointed out that it is insufficient to check for levelness at the cradle, it’s the boat that wants to be level. The marinas have been most accommodating, none have refused, they’d rather the boat was properly stored with a happy customer.
I do not know if this applies to other Nonsuch models as I don’t know how they drain, I’ve never looked but it is a cautionary tale.

Ken Dakin
NS 33 #7
Sashay
Kingston ON

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On my 33, I have found that the boat wants to be stored level…

I had the same issue with my 354 which was out of level on the beam as well. Water pooled on the starboard side deck where the fuel fill is, but was an easy fix.

Barry Clark
Swan’s Wing, NS 354, #71
Urbby Marina
Urbanna, VA

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For all its worth, we store SaSeaCat slightly bow up.

I board SaSeaCat often over the winter to get jobs done, check on batteries etc. She was level one winter which left an ice coating on the cockpit floor for the winter. A hazard. Bow up a degree or two allows condensation and moisture to drain.

…..Ed

image001.jpg4000×3000 1.97 MB

Ed and Marlene Brost

SaSeaCat, NS30322

Sarnia Yacht Club

Ed.brost@gmail.com

519 312-8650

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As long as MOUSTACHES isn’t bow down and IS level athwartships, I am happy. However, Ken makes an excellent point in stating that while the cradle may be level, the boat may not be level in the cradle.

Ernie A. in Toronto

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I too have to store my boat level. When I once stored it bow up, I found that water pooled aft of the deck scupper near the very stern. While it was good for cockpit drainage, I didn’t like how water was pooled around the point where the rear stanchions attach to the deck.
Herb G. Huber, MISTOFFELEES 30C #91, Lake Huron Nonsuch Association

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I was impressed when one of the yard crew pulled out his cell phone and used the level app to level Nature.

John Barbour
Toronto
Nature 26U

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John:

I was impressed when one of the yard crew pulled out his cell phone and used the level app to level Nature.

I hope he calibrated it properly…

FYI - I have easily leveled my 26C by taking some of the wood lying around and using it as a lever, two bits, long enough and thick enough to fit under the frame, and “lifting” by pounding in a third bit between the first two. Pound it a bit higher, so that one can use more bits of wood (this time, sheets of ply) lying around the boat yard to act as shims on top of the normal blocks; then pounding out the wedge, by hitting it side to side. I’d lift no more than enough to get a plywood shim in, if another lift is needed, do it. It’s actually really fast to do once you have scrounged the materials.

If a Nonsuch 26 is roughly 6,000 lbs on its frame, using this technique, you are lifting half at a time - about 3,000 lbs, 1.5 tons. If you want to use a hydraulic bottle jack, on a quick search, the ones at “Home Depot” are 2 tons to 20 tons. The issue here is getting it under the frame, the wood wedges work better.

(note: the real problem is determining what is level on the Nonsuch! First time I used the cockpit floor, which was a mistake in hindsight, as it is supposed to drain… so my swim platform tilts backwards very slightly, but as like most 26s the bow is heavy and the stern is up, it is absolutely fine)

This past week I just lifted and leveled a shed in the backyard that is about “SUV” sized. That time I used a “Farm Jack” that I had laying around as I needed to dig a hole to get space underneath the floor framing. I lifted it 2.5 inches on one end, the end that was “sinking” - enough to get it pretty level.

As always, I ponder the task for a bit (for me, at least a day) and then and go do it. And, I’m sure I don’t have to say this, but never put fingers between the object lifted and anything underneath, not even for a fraction of a second. One of those fishing-hook-looking pry bars works well, you can poke and pull without the chance of getting yourself into trouble.

Hope this posting is not off topic for the discussion group.

JohnS NS26C 046 Bath On.

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We have faced this same problem. "Catalyst’ is stored on the hard whenever we are not sailing. Occasionally it rains in BC so drainage is very important for us as we do not live near the boat. Prior to hauling out of the water I hang a plumb bob from our dodger down to the cockpit sole. I then place a twooney (Canadian $2 coin) on the cockpit sole beneath the plumb bob and tape it down. Haul out crew then place the boat on stands and adjust the level while checking the plumb bob. They are happy to do this so the boat is properly level as there is some slope to the yard and it is difficult to eyeball it. If they get the plumb bob over the centre of the twooney it is at least as level as it is in the water. If you have a built in list while afloat you would have to adjust slightly for it.

Peter Moodie
Nonsuch 30U Catalyst #366
Sidney, BC/Winnipeg, MB