Beach or storage?

I have an opportunity to leave my Getaway on a beach on the lake I usually sail on. Right now I keep it in a storage garage and trailer it there. There are a number of + and (-), but one I don't know about is wear and tear.

Right now it stays in a storage garage safe from the elements. I would get a high quality cover for it (Not the $200 semi fitted plastic thing Hobie sells - I already threw one of those junky things away)...if it lives on a beach.

I'm trying to figure out which will result in less wear and tear over the long run...leaving it on a beach in Wisconsin with a cover on the hulls and tramps and the mast up, or continuing to trailer it (about an hour trip each way) and setup/tear down each time I use it.

If I beach it, I'll still put it in a storage garage for the winter.

Does anyone have any experience comparing the two options?

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

Bob.... I much prefer leaving it on the beach. Mine has been on a Lake Michigan beach since 2006. During the season a snorkel cover on the jib is the only protection from the elements. After the sailing season I take the mast down and store the tramps inside. The remaining hulls I drag up further on a dune to winter on the beach.
Tim

Same here. As I see it...if the annoyances outweigh the fun...what's the point? The boat is made to be used...wear & tear is going to happen no matter what. Do what you can but keep it simple and convenient.

I beached my old Bravo and now my Wave ever since I moved from keel boats to Cats. Next year I hope t find a 16 that will sit by the Wave on the shore. I agree with the above. A quick Tarp should extend the life of the tramp and replacing my rigging a year early or so is far better than not being able to jump on the boat and go. It's not fun if your not using it.

My 2010 Getaway has spent every day of it's life outside on a Lake Michigan (Illinois) Beach. A snorkle for the jib in summer, and the mast down and inside in winter is the limit of what I've done - haven't even bothered to take off the trampolines. 4th summer so far and I haven't even had to tighten the trampolines much yet (and no tears or significant sagging after a few heavy winter snows - maybe down 2 inches or so from new from regular use [with the front more worn than the main]). I intended to take the trampolines off and maybe store the boat, but I live a bit away from the beach and never made it the first year. Having seen no significant damage in year two, I figured replacing the trampolines every 5-7 years was still cheaper than a trailer and cover (the dealer dropped it on the beach for me when I bought it). We are protected by trees, but far enough away not to worry about sap or leaves, and with the current wear, I think 7 years is easily possible.

These are tough, well built boats. FWIW - of about 150 Hobies on this beach in Wilmette, IL, nearly 100 stay out all winter (though many further from the tree line do take off the trampolines due to wind worries [we have deep anchors in my row and are protected by trees and small dunes]).

Mast up during the year presents no problems - all the 150 Hobies are stored that way during the summer (and a few don't even take their masts down in winter). My stays have spent about 20 months outdoors (and in fresh water) and look fine. I think I will replace them at about 6 years (6 summers of 5-6 months each outdoors = about 3 years full-time use) just to be safe.

Everything on the Getaway seems to be plastic, aluminum or stainless, so a short wash with a hose and mitt at the start of the summer is all it takes to get it looking great. Anything perishable or likely to be fouled by sand - rudders, lines, blocks - is taken in during winter as well. All this plus a couple of well-considered quick releases for the tiller extension and main block, and the boat can be ready to push to the water in less than 5 minutes (mainsail, mainsheet block and lines, etc. stored in bin on the beach).