If there is a warranty on your policy that your vessel is ashore by a certain date that warranty must be complied with, or you risk invalidating your entire policy. If a lift out date is put back due to weather, tides, or crane problems it is very important to advise your insurers and try and get an extension in cover, remember to plan ahead if your lift out is scheduled for a weekend as most insurers will not be open over weekends.

If a trip by road is required it is important to check that your policy covers road transit, and extend it if required. Some but not all policies automatically include transit for craft up to 30 feet. If the trailer has been left standing it should be thoroughly checked and serviced if necessary, it can be a policy condition that the trailer is kept in a roadworthy condition.

Once ashore it is important to prepare the boat thoroughly. Reducing windage and ensuring cradles are properly secured will protect against gales and removing all valuable equipment and leaving drawers or cupboards open to reduce the temptation to thieves will reduce the risk of break ins. Canopies, dodgers and sails split by the wind is a common exclusion on most policies, so it is advisable to remove them to s safe, dry environment.

If you do take your boat ashore in an exposed location always try and have the mast taken down, indeed you may find some yards insist this is the case (not normally without good cause). This will provide an excellent opportunity to thoroughly inspect the rig which may pay dividends in the long term.

Particular care should be taken if leaving battery chargers or dehumidifiers running over the winter period. There have been a number of devastating fires on boats as a result of electrical faults on shore powered devices. Keeping your boat dry through the winter is the right thing to do, but you need to be sure that any dehumidifier being used is well secured, has clean filters and adequate drainage facilities.

Remember that you should still check on the boat periodically, or pay someone to do this for you. If you are ventilating the boat you may just end up heating, or drawing moisture from the atmosphere.

If you plan to have a heater running as well be sure that you are not overloading the circuits, and that you have the right sort of heater as this could significantly increase the risk of fire. Check with your local yard or boat surveyor to make sure. Concerned owners could consider temporarily mounting an automatic fire extinguisher next to such equipment