For 2023, I moved my IOM from house to club by padding the car boot floor with old towels – then laying the boat on its port side, nose to the front along the left hand side of the boot. Got the picture?? One day, under sharp braking I almost got an IOM in the left ear… so I learned put a tool box in front of the leading edge of the fin, basically locking the boat in position. It works OK, but we shall all just pack our car boots in whatever way suits us!!

By the way, if you use the method above…. don’t pack the boat in rudder to the front – the rudder would be very exposed to damage with a dab on the brakes.

I became quite interested in the idea of removing the fin and bulb for travel, when I saw a rather super bag system from, I think…. Catsails. They declined to make me another though, and I don’t think it is currently listed on their website. You need their fin bag as well !! Looks great though!

Then two things happened –

Recounting the “IOM in the ear story” to the friend who had loaned me an IOM, he recommended a Potter “Onesie” that protects the whole boat and fin, with great carrying handles and everything. You do need to develop the knack of sliding the boat in and out of the bag safely, but actually it does inspire confidence in the car boot.

I was still slightly hankering to try a “keel off” type padded bag arrangement that I had seen from Catsails. However, when my new IOM arrived from SailboatRC they specifically said “don’t keep taking the fin on and off for each weekend!!”

They want the fins left ON…. Upon reflection I guess it makes sense and I’m going to be a Onesie-Fan.

By the way, Nigel Barrow has made his boat a protective hull box which is rather fetching. Maybe that’s my 2025 project.

https://www.nigelbarrow.co.uk/boat-box-rig-box-and-stand

I might say that with the Marbleheads, I think we all take the fin off each and every weekend !! I’ll do an article soon on the rather luxurious, German made, hull bag that we have for that. It’s a nice idea too.