Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

[scrit9mm]

Due to fuel cost I am not going to be trailering my boat the 50 mile trip every weekend. I plan on leaving it moored to the pier all summer. I have the factory snap on covers for boat with support poles to allow for proper drainage. What are some tips from you wet slip guys?

There is no permanent structure to park the boat under.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Best advice I can offer is investing in a Hydro Hoist if it's a glass boat. Osmosis blisters are a common problem. Not all hulls blister but more do than don't. It's a cosmetic thing and isn't supposed to be a structural concern but I don't know about that. The one glass boat owner that I know personaly that had the blister problem left his boat in all summer. The boat was fixed the following winter and he installed a hydro hoist. Since then he hasn't had any problems.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Paint the bottom with the correct antifouling paint for your environment (ask your marina). Also ask about which "zincs" to use.

Are you leaving the trailer there? If so, arrange in advance for someone to pull it out for you if there is a hurricane.

Get your mooring line instructions from someone at the marina, if you are at one, or from a neighbor if this is at a home.

Be sure the pump, float switch and discharge is working; test it with water, not by sound. haev a battery switch so you can shut off all power except the direct line to the bilge pump/float switch.

If you are at a marina, exchange phone numbers with neighbors to keep an eye on things, unless marina staff is on top of things. Some are, some aren't.

If you check on it and run it every other week your battery should be fine for your bilge pump. i don't think double batteries, shore power, trickle or solar chargers, are necessary and i think leaving a boat plugged in to shore power risks too much eletrolysis.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

erased,skip it, I was preaching...

 

[Glowplug007]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Don't, that's my tip. Really. Leaving my boat in a slip was the worst thing I ever did. Boat was filthy everytime I took it out. Growth on the hull was horrible to the point it wouldnt go over 25mph by the end of the season. Premature wear on the fiberglass, and outdrive. Your gonna pay one way or another. Looks like u have an easily trailerable boat, don't leave ur baby rotting. Buuuuuuuuuut, that's just me, I love my boat and ill never treat her like that again.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Put a good bottom paint on it and it should be ok. I have owned around 20 boats in the 51 years that I have been boating and most of them we slipped. I have never, i repeat never had a problem. I always used Interlux hard bottom paint and it protected my boat without any problems, never had a blister either.
Don't let people scare you, there are millions of boats slipped every day in our country all year long without any problems.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

After a job move we ended up 120 miles from our favorite lake once and were lucky enough to find an outside storage place a mile or so from the camp sites and boat ramps there. Downside was you had to drive the tow vehicle there (unless your brother who lived closer was camping also and always drove his truck!).

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Does your slip have electric? If not, get a second deep cycle battery. Your bilge pump is only as good as the battery system it's connected to.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Maybe a solar charger to keep your battery fresh.

Are there people in or near the slip area that check on the boats periodically?

 

[bgc]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Good hull paint that is properly applied.
Water proofing on the cover.
Solar vent fan.
Solar battery tender.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Don't, that's my tip. Really. Leaving my boat in a slip was the worst thing I ever did. Boat was filthy everytime I took it out. Growth on the hull was horrible to the point it wouldnt go over 25mph by the end of the season. Premature wear on the fiberglass, and outdrive. Your gonna pay one way or another. Looks like u have an easily trailerable boat, don't leave ur baby rotting. Buuuuuuuuuut, that's just me, I love my boat and ill never treat her like that again.

^^^This^^^

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

I like having a boat in the water and will pay extra to do it. but you are trying to save fuel costs. Have you compared the fuel cost for your 50 mile trip v. cost to slip (or are you keeping it at a house for free?)

You'll still be driving the large vehicle for all your stuff--or driving any vehicle the fuel cost difference on 50 miles is negligable. And i doubt your suburban's gas mileage is that different with the boat.

Any savings are gone if you buy more stuff like solar chargers or bigger covers--none of which you need.

A great option is the dry slip--a trailer parking place at the marina. Won't save money but is very convenient and less hassle than pulling a boat both ways each time.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

I leave my boat in salt water on a mooring. As long as you do the proper hull and outdrive prep, it will be fine. A good mooring cover will shed most of the water, but you will still find some water in the bilge. Hey, it's a bilge.

I believe you have a Chris Craft, so if they used vinyl ester resin in the first layer of the layup, it will be more blister resistant. However, a barrier coat on the hull at/below the water line is a good idea. Then, there is the anti-fouling paint for hull and outdrive, plus the zincs for the outdrive. I usually do a mid-season haul out to check things and do a bit of 'scrub-a-dub' on the hull, etc.

Enjoy.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Any tips about doing overnight trips? Anchoring?
Do I need to worry about anodes ect for 3 days on the water?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

you don't need anodes for 3 days at anchor

"anchoring" cannot be answered without information about your conditions and boat.
"tips" can be a mile long--start a new thread with more information?

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

The slough I am in is a no wake with plenty of full-timers that become real audible whenever a jack-hole raises hell, but I know it does happen. I am planning on keeping it bow out. Due to future pier rebuilding next year I am unable to install a hydro hoist. My wife and I or parents, or brother will be there at least every weekend. We own the house so most all supplies stay put, that means we can take the wife's camry which will save plenty on fuel. I avg 18-20 without the boat and 10-12 with the boat plus the slower speed puts us almost two hours vs. close to one hour in the camry.

I am pretty ignorant on bottom paint. I thought that was just for you salt guys.

Thanks for the tips, keep em' coming!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

under those circumstances, you will love having the boat in the water. Talk to the neighbors about bottom paint requirements, if any. Only someone in your waters can tell you what to use.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

honestly, I have never heard of it at Lake Martin.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

A garage kept boat will last almost "forever". Sure, you can paint the bottom, buy a cover, etc. and it'll keep in the water but its life will be shortened. OK, so you save a few bucks in gas, but you have to pay for a dock. Skip the dock and rent a garage.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Tips on leaving boat in water all summer.

Scrit9 -

It is the sort of thing that is unique to each individual situation . . . so you have to decide what is best for you.

I know that for me, I would much rather have the boat in the water, 'cuz I'm not a big fan of launching and retrieving on a daily basis, dealing with the boat ramp follies and fisticuffs, etc. The trade off is in maintenance, so you have to decide if it is worth it (to you).

You got lots of pointers. I can make some recommendations for bottom paint - send me a PM.

Enjoy.