Possibly getting a slip - what to know before saying yes

[Scott Danforth]

Just my observation

Even boats in Wisconsin get bottom paint when slipped

Never fill your bilge to test anything

Self bailing decks help to shed water above the deck. However most leaks happen below the deck. A second bilge pump and a high water alarm with wi-fi notification would be my choice

I would not want to tie to a seawall. Fixed dock rash too many times because the fenders worked themselves from between the hull and dock

YMMV

 

[tpenfield]

I think we have different classes of boats if you are thinking 4-6 fenders lol I can fit 3 max at the normal spots though could probably install some more. Will take a look and see tonight. No need for the beach chair the guys all hang out up on the patio about 200 yards away where the bar is lol

Remember . . . you may want/need fenders on both sides of the boat. Depends on the arrangement of your slip.

 

[SkaterRace]

Just my observation

Even boats in Wisconsin get bottom paint when slipped

Never fill your bilge to test anything

Self bailing decks help to shed water above the deck. However most leaks happen below the deck. A second bilge pump and a high water alarm with wi-fi notification would be my choice

I would not want to tie to a seawall. Fixed dock rash too many times because the fenders worked themselves from between the hull and dock

YMMV

I'll look into the high water alarms. I read your message as I was flooding it, went well. Water has to get higher than I would have expected which is good to know so I can check it more often.

Seal wall or floating dock are abound the only two options around here until you get into bigger boats and mine isn't big enough for one of those slips.

The floating docks at my club are for sub 20 ft so too big. There is one section of floating docks that would fit mine though I hear the waiting list is huge for that.

Doesn't really leave much for options other than harbour wall. It isn't a sea out to the open. It's to a shallow Creek that depth at worst time I would be fine with. Reason it is never taken is the club is mostly sail boats with too much draft to take it. I'd still have 4-6 ft of water under my prop for all but 2-3 weeks of my season which would be about 3-4 feet of water below the prop.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I’ve had a slip for 20+ years. The first few months you will worry about every storm, high tide, etc. After you discover nothing bad happens it’ll be easier for you and you’ll love the convenience of jumping in and going!

Since you will be on a bulkhead and only tied on one side, you might want to consider using mooring whips. They keep your boat from rubbing against the bulkhead.

 

[SkaterRace]

I’ve had a slip for 20+ years. The first few months you will worry about every storm, high tide, etc. After you discover nothing bad happens it’ll be easier for you and you’ll love the convenience of jumping in and going!

Since you will be on a bulkhead and only tied on one side, you might want to consider using mooring whips. They keep your boat from rubbing against the bulkhead.

Thanks and yeah that is the goal be able to use it more and with more ease. Mooring whips seem interesting though very highly doubt they would let me install anything to the dock.

 

[SkaterRace]

Remember . . . you may want/need fenders on both sides of the boat. Depends on the arrangement of your slip.

Thanks for pointing that out, I don't think that will be an issue in my case but then again can't really hurt

 

[harmanoff]

Ive never had any issues with filling my boat on land to check the bilge, did that this year to make sure it kicked on and pumped out water like it should! I also do this periodically to check for leaks. As long as its gated and camera's i wouldn't have much of an issue. I would def take stuff with me that i wouldn't want stolen if it looked appetizing lol