Laying up a yacht for winter in the Mediterranean

When the season ends, it is tempting to tie the yacht up, close the hatches and fly home. But the months she spends laid up decide a lot about the next season. A careful lay-up prevents corrosion, mould and seized machinery. A careless one leaves you a long and expensive list in spring.

The Mediterranean winter is mild compared with northern Europe, which makes some tasks less urgent but not unnecessary. This guide covers the main decisions and the jobs that matter most.

In the water or ashore

Staying afloat is often simpler. The yacht stays ready for a fine winter weekend, you avoid the cost of lifting and storage, and shore power is easy to arrange. But the hull keeps fouling, the yacht moves and chafes in winter storms, and a leak or failed bilge pump can sink her if no one is checking.

Storing ashore removes the risk of sinking, lets the hull dry out, and gives easy access to antifouling, anodes, seacocks and running gear. The costs are the lift and the storage, the need for good support on a cradle or stands, and a boat you cannot use.

Many owners decide by the work planned: if the hull, running gear or seacocks need attention, go ashore. If the list is mainly inside the boat, afloat may be enough.

Choosing a marina or yard

Look at the place, not just the price. Before you commit, ask:

• How exposed is the harbour to winter storms, and how are the berths and moorings maintained?
• Who checks the yacht, how often, and what do they report?
• For storage ashore, how are boats supported, and is the yard secure and fenced?
• Can you use your own contractors, or must the yard's teams do the work?
• Is there reliable shore power, and how is it charged?

Our marinas directory lists marinas across the Mediterranean, and is a good starting point for comparing locations.

Engines and generators

Main engines and generators need the most attention. The usual steps are:

1. Change the oil and filters. Used oil contains acids and contaminants that can damage the engine when it sits for months. Change it before the lay-up, not in spring.
2. Flush the raw-water circuit with fresh water. This removes salt from the pump, heat exchangers and exhaust, and reduces corrosion. Many owners also remove or loosen the raw-water pump impeller so it does not take a set.
3. Check the coolant. Test the antifreeze concentration and its corrosion protection, and change it if it is due.
4. Look after the fuel. Many owners keep tanks nearly full to reduce condensation, and some use a fuel treatment; follow your engineer's advice. Change the fuel filters and drain any water from separators.
5. Protect the rest. Check belts, hoses and anodes, and seal air intakes and exhausts if the yacht will not run for a long time.

Always follow the engine maker's own lay-up procedure.

Watermakers

A watermaker that is left with seawater in its membranes will grow bacteria and can be ruined. If it will not be used for an extended period, it should be pickled: flushed and filled with a preservative solution recommended by the maker. Some owners instead run the unit regularly through the winter. Either way, follow the manufacturer's instructions. A new membrane is an expensive way to learn this lesson.

Plumbing and freshwater systems

Stale water encourages bacteria and smells. Drain or treat the freshwater tanks, and pump out and flush the holding tanks and toilets with fresh water. Close seacocks that are not needed and check they move freely. If the yacht stays afloat, agree with the yard which must stay open, for example for cockpit drains.

Frost protection

In most of the Mediterranean, freezing temperatures at sea level are rare, and many owners do not winterise against frost. That is not true everywhere. Some northern harbours, for example in the northern Adriatic, and yards inland or at higher altitude, can see freezing nights. Where there is any risk, drain or protect the freshwater system, water heater, deck showers and any other system that holds water, and make sure engine coolant is protected to a suitable temperature. Ask the local yard what they recommend for your area.

Batteries and shore power

Batteries left discharged lose capacity quickly. Charge them fully, then either keep them on a good charger or disconnect them and charge them periodically. If the yacht stays on shore power, consider a galvanic isolator or isolation transformer to protect underwater metals. Turn off everything that does not need to run, but leave bilge pumps and any monitoring system working.

Ventilation, mould and covers

Damp is the main enemy of a laid-up yacht in a Mediterranean winter. Open lockers, lift cushions and leave interior doors open so air can circulate. Remove food and anything that can rot. A dehumidifier or ventilators help.

A good cover keeps rain, sun and dirt off the deck and reduces wear on teak and varnish. It must be secured for winter winds and allow air to flow, or it will trap moisture underneath.

Sails and canvas

Remove the sails, rinse them in fresh water if needed, and let them dry fully before folding. Winter is a good time to send them to a sailmaker for inspection. Remove or protect sprayhoods, biminis and other canvas.

Security and insurance

Remove valuables and portable electronics, lock the yacht and arrange regular checks.

Read your insurance policy before you lay up. Many policies include lay-up conditions: the dates, where she may be kept, whether ashore or afloat, and how often she must be checked. Breaking those conditions can affect a claim, so tell your insurer where the yacht will be. Our guide to yacht insurance explains these terms in more detail.

The winter work list and refit

The lay-up is the best time to do the work you could not do during the season. Make a list as the season ends, while the problems are fresh: what broke, what was noisy, what needs replacing. Add the scheduled items from your maintenance plan, such as rigging inspections, engine overhauls and antifouling.

Then get quotes, agree the order of work and ask for a timeline. A survey before major work is useful, particularly on an older yacht. Our directory of surveyors can help you find one near the yard.

Book early. Good yards fill their winter schedules and their autumn and spring lift slots early. Booking well before the season ends gives you a better choice of yard and dates.

Recommissioning in spring

Allow time for recommissioning before your first trip. The usual order is:

1. Inspect the hull, anodes, propellers and seacocks before launch, if the yacht is ashore.
2. Reinstall impellers, reopen seacocks, check belts and hoses, and run engines and generators while watching for leaks.
3. Flush and refill the freshwater system, and recommission the watermaker as the maker instructs.
4. Charge and test batteries, and check all electronics, navigation lights and safety equipment.
5. Refit sails and canvas, and check the rig before sailing.
6. Take the yacht out for a short trial before setting off on a longer passage.

Plan the next season

A good lay-up is one of the simplest ways to protect your yacht's value. If you are buying, winter is a good time to see a yacht with her systems open. Browse yachts for sale on Yachtxchange, and use the marinas directory to plan where she will spend next winter.

This article is general information, not a substitute for the manufacturers' instructions, professional advice or your insurance policy terms. Requirements vary by yacht, location and insurer.