Over the last ten years THETA VOLANTIS has been left for more than a few days in a variety of exotic locations: Antigua, Australia, Grenada, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and the UK. Thankfully we have always returned to find the boat in good condition and have never had any problems to deal with. We'd like to think that is down to good planning and a conscientious approach to preparations, though we'd be foolish not to give credit to a dose of good luck too.

Currently THETA VOLANTIS is laid up for the winter in a marina in the UK, so we have just completed all the tasks we describe.

We prefer to leave the boat in the water. Many people haul out when they leave the boat for extended periods, but we would only do so if we planned to remove the masts, not a task to be taken lightly, so we find a secure marina berth instead. In cold climates the boat is warmer in the water than out, and in hot climates the boat stays cooler. In both cases the extremes of day time and night time temperatures are avoided when the boat is in the water.

We would avoid at all costs leaving the boat in tropical locations during cyclone seasons. If we had to, then the masts would have to come out, and the boat lowered into a keel pit. Remember that cyclones are lotteries; if one comes through, the boat will be trashed whatever you do. Cyclone areas are reported as 'safe' because they haven't yet been hit by a bad one, so all you can do is mitigate the loss if only a minor one passes over.

Security
Whenever we have left the boat in a place where security is an issue we have paid a local person to 'watch over' the boat, maybe do some deck cleaning and check the lines. Because they are paid when we return, they make sure the local thieves keep their hands off the boat. Also, word gets around that you are 'doing the decent thing' and paying a local. This in itself is normally enough, and the community polices itself.

Seacocks
Close all seacocks if leaving the boat in the water. If hauling out, they should be greased so they won't corrode up while you are away.

Batteries
A difficult one for extended periods. Batteries don't like being left idle as the plates harden, which will reduce their life when you come back, so a slow discharge then full charge is best if you can arrange it with someone local. A small bulb left on is enough to slowly discharge.

Engines
Laying up the engine properly is a good idea as it will save future problems. Flush the oil with a specialized product, or at least do an oil change before you leave rather than when you come back, as the corrosive deposits in the oil will be removed. Flush the seawater cooling system with an antifreeze/freshwater mix and leave that in the system while you are away.

If you cannot flush with fresh water, avoid having someone keep running the engine 'to be safe'. Unless the engine is run for an extended period each time it is better left alone.

Keeping Things Moving
Grease everything that moves before you leave the boat--winches, hatch springs, padlocks, handles--if it is exposed to the weather be especially meticulous. It may take a while to do but it will take a lot longer to sort out the corrosion problems when you get back to the boat. Liberal use of grease is better than covering things in plastic or fabric covers.

If you do use plastic to protect something make sure the air can still get in and that any water can drain away. So long as things can dry, a bit of rain won't do any harm. A permanently damp environment is the worst for anything mechanical or electrica,l and will cause rotting and mildew on any sort of fabric if it cannot dry.

Rig/Sails
Due to the UK winter weather, and to the fact that we cannot easily remove and store our main and mizzen sails, we have draped plastic sheets over them, then liberally tied around with rope. Air can still circulate underneath but water won't pool in the sails as it cannot get in.

All deck and rigging blocks have been removed and stored below, and halyards have been relocated to the toe rails so they are well away from the masts.

We see some boats liberally decked out with canvas covers on everything. Apart from the cost involved in making them, they trap moisture and cause more damage than they save. Boats are designed to get wet (although sometimes we do wonder!) and the issue is letting them dry properly, not necessarily to protect them.

That said, a complete tent over the whole boat works very well, particularly where teak decks or varnish work are concerned, providing air can circulate freely, and the whole thing is well tied down.

INTERIOR

Smells/Mildew/Mold etc.
Clean all surfaces then wipe down with an antiseptic disinfectant. Leave as many doors/lids open as possible to aid circulation.

In the UK we have left greenhouse type tube heaters on to keep the interior warm and dry. Units have been placed in the engine room and fo'c'sle as well. These only take a small voltage on shore power, and the benefit is well worth the cost.

Clean toilets then fill with vinegar and pump through, leaving the pipe full of vinegar. There will be no unpleasant smell when you return.

Remove batteries from everything.

Insects/Vermin
If your boat starts its hibernation bug free it should stay that way, but just in case something nasty crawls on five minutes before we leave, we place roach traps around the boat, and though we have left the boat in marinas where you can see the cockroaches running down the jetty, we have never come back to find them on the boat. We do place a lot of traps (at least 12) but we think it is money well spent.

Although it hasn't happened to us, we know boats that have had damage from rats while they have been away. One boat left a small hatch open for ventilation and a rat got in and ate most of their upholstery. Use rat guards on the lines and make sure there is nothing open large enough for a rat to enter by.

Birds like to nest in our boom end so we always close it off. Look at your boat through a bird's eyes and if somewhere looks like a good nesting spot, make it inaccessible or extremely uncomfortable.

Leaving the Boat for Just a Few Days
We are fortunate in having enough battery capacity to leave the boat for up to 5 days without having to shut down our refrigeration system, so for short trips inland we simply lock up the boat and leave it. In Sri Lanka we wanted to take a 7-day trip around the island, and for that we got another cruiser to run the generator after 4 days.

We have only ever left the boat at anchor while we traveled inland once and that was 20 miles up a river in Borneo. (We leave the boat at anchor during the day but not if we will be away overnight.) The boat was very safely anchored in thick mud and with no sea state of course, but theft was a potential problem, so the guide who was taking us inland arranged for someone to sleep in the cockpit.

(SetSail note: Colleen and Brian have finished their circumnavigation, and their beloved THETA VOLANTIS is now for sale. Even if you're not in the market for a new boat, click here to check out a very detailed listing that is full of interesting information.)