Since the end of the hiring season everyone has been working hard to strip out all the boats.  Anything and everything that can come off the boats is now safely stored away ready for next year after receiving a thorough clean.  Everything from floorboards, drawers, upholstery and even toilets have been stripped out.  Items such as toilets are power washed before being packed away and every boat has to be stripped and their engines winterised before we can start the important procedure of "pulling out".

All the boats in the hire fleet are pulled out at some point over the winter.  It allows us to carry out deep cleaning on the hull, check for any underwater damage and thoroughly repair and clean inside and out.  The actual act of pulling out is fraught with danger to both staff and boat - one wrong move could result in thousands of pounds worth of damage and/or a risk to life.  It is, therefore, imperative that we choose the days and times that we pull out carefully.  We need both good, calm weather and high water.  Brian is in charge of the all important winch, as the boys carefully maneovre the boat into the correct position.

Customers of Summercraft will know where we provide our undercover parking, in the winter we convert this area into our dry shed by pulling the "tins" across the entrance and alongside the watersedge.  The size of the area within the shed is an issue when deciding which boats can be pulled out.  For instance there is plenty of space for the smaller boats to go in together, but when it's Grecian's turn to come out she has to be maneouvred into position and there's not much room for anything else!  Therefore, deciding which boats come out and when is a calculated decision.

So, today, we felt that conditions were good and we began pulling out with one of the Gala's who we thought needed a lot of work.  Her port stern side has been severely pounded this season and despite regular running repairs on turnaround days she is now in desperate need of a complete new section to strengthen the area.  We also pulled out Glitter and as low water arrived we are praying for another calm day weather-wise tomorrow in order that one of the Grandes can join them in the shed.

Pictures to follow shortly