Winter is now upon us.  January through April are our stormiest times at Great Salt Lake.  During this time we can see much stronger pre-frontal winds as well as heavier snowfall.  January through April can see pre-frontal winds in excess of 75mph.

National Weather Service is predicting a wetter than normal January through March for the Great Salt Lake area.

Things to do to prepare your boat for the windy/stormy season:

• Check your dock lines.  It is a good idea to replace the dock lines every year as salt crystals build up in the core of the line which can lead to unseen damage that weakens the lines.
• Make sure you have adequate numbers of dock lines.  It is recommended to have at least six and preferably eight dock lines (4 dock lines and 4 spring lines)
• Check that your halyards are secure.
• Check that your sails are tightly furled.  Better yet, remove your sails for the winter.
• Check pins securing your standing rigging.
• Check around your boats.  Secure all your personal property.
• Secure your power cords so they do not become tripping hazards.  If using a power cord, make sure it is of the right size and marine grade.
• Remove your dock hoses.
• Make sure your scuppers (cockpit drains) are clean of debris so that the cockpit can drain of rain or snow.  Boats have sunk at the marina when scuppers clog causing water in the cockpit to drain into the cabin eventually sinking the boat.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  During COVID the County and Dept. of Corrections suspended their Community Service Programs.  These are the program that supplied us with manpower to shovel docks and gangways.  We no longer have access to the Genesis program or Salt Lake County Jail to help clean snow off the docks.  It may take some time to remove snow from docks and gangways following a storm.  Please use extreme caution if there is snow or ice on the docks.

NOTE:  I hope to have some dredging updates in the very near future.

Dave