Haul-out 2018.
It’s usually a very sad time of year, putting our dear R.E.D. to bed for the long winter months but this year we are at least a month later than usual to pull her from the water and it felt right…and kind of fun..with an energy we haven’t found in past years.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FDE129E4-7160-4961-9E35-A5B405FA9262-1024x683.jpeg)
Hooking Up HIS Trailer
Maybe it’s because we had a much longer season, or maybe it could be that we now have a special place right in our own yard and the process is so much easier. There was no going back and forth through all of that depressing congested Montreal traffic.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/93E0EAEE-3A1D-424B-AD77-DAD9BDD16432-1024x683.jpeg)
Fall Colours
She spent her summer here, just six kilometres from our home, at a small co-op-type club. It meant just one trip too. Trailer hooked up to the tow beast and within a few minutes we were ready for our annual ritual.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/0A44A27F-F35A-421F-A585-5B59C32E0FEB-1024x683.jpeg)
Ballast Empty
First, a chilly outing on the bay to empty her belly of salt water.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2BED6A3E-30E5-4662-96EF-680A58986DA9-683x1024.jpeg)
Winterizing MY Engine
Next, Francois put the motor through it’s winterizing paces.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1FE50051-D740-405C-8CE6-6EC755F43D04-1024x683.jpeg)
Installing Mast Extension
The mast extension makes for a much better shape when tarping.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/37D1FD1C-32CA-4FF3-9312-483A1F947957-1024x682.jpeg)
Waiting
R.E.D. waited patiently at the service dock while the trailer was brought to the loading ramp
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BA693625-8EBB-4D9B-89E6-5855935C50BB-910x1024.jpeg)
Haul-out
Then came the offical haul-out. So easy for two of us to handle, all completed with no incident.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/26815608-456D-497E-8B2D-711725621A30-1024x683.jpeg)
Power Wash
Power wash came next before all the accumulated ‘yuck’ from a summer in the water had dried. Demasting with all of the lines secured and we were ready to head for home.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/154F9990-F76C-4A7B-9A7C-D549AB310E25-e1540654370111.jpeg)
The Skeleton
This year’s tarp skeleton is Francois’ best creation to date. It makes the job so much easier too when there is a small hardware store down at the corner to buy extra tie wraps and PVC piping.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/54F280DD-59EA-4289-9B5A-F80265EF2486-e1540654424534.jpeg)
Winter Tarp
Even covering and threading the lines under R.E.D.’s belly seemed less of a chore this year.
![](https://sailingred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/E3CB4DD8-BD02-47C2-A921-E1BB009BA37D-e1540654482964.jpeg)
The Igloo
All liquids and other essentials removed from the cabin and lines flushed through with anti-freeze, she will rest all cozy and ready for whatever winter storms will throw our way.
For those who prefer to read our story in a language other than English, please forgive the automatic translation.
Sleep tight RED!
👍😘