Hi Max,
Not an easy choice with any simple solution, but my personal preference would be to keep it out of the weather, up near the companionway... For the sort of serious voyaging it sounds like you'll be doing, take your cue from John and Phyllis on MORGAN'S CLOUD...
http://www.morganscloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/JHH5_102639.jpg
Whatever you decide, DO NOT do this... (grin)
best regards,
Jon