www.iFourWinns.com

I just found out I have secured a slip for this summer at a great Marina on Lake Ontario about 10 minutes from my house and 15 minutes from my office! Its the most popular one in the area and they have a long waiting list. I was told all winter that there was little chance they would have one for me but they came through! Probably with this crappy economy some members decided not to renew this year. Now I will probably get a ton more use out of the boat than having to launch it every time I want to go out. They also have floating BBQ areas, kids playground, great restaurant with a huge patio, etc.

I actually got on the waiting list for a 35' slip for 2010 just in case we decide to upgrade to a cruiser!

I am wondering a few things though. The slip has power and water whether I want it or not. Should I be looking into a built in battery charger of some kind? I was thinking of installing a second battery but with power right there maybe a built in charger would be better?

Bildge pump - should I just rely on the one that in there or should I think about a second one for backup? Any history of these things failing?

What can I do to minimize staining on the boat from sitting in the water all summer other than a good wax before she goes in?

Official launch day there is May 1st so not too long to wait!!

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2008 H210SS Yellow VP 5.7 GXi 320 HP (sold May 2010)
2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI Diesel

On board charger FOR SURE! That should take care of the bilge pump problem also. Get to know your neighbors and exchange numbers.

Can you get a lift installed? That would solve #2 & #3.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

For peace of mind, among many other reasons I'm with Brent, definately inquire about having a lift installed if at all a possibility. I installed a simple dual batt charger and have been very happy with it. Here are some pic's:


I broke out just one of the tines to get the plug through the back vent.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

I need to get me one of those for sure this spring.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Get the dual battery setup with charger. Wire the boat for proper shore power while you are at it. I would put an aux bilgepump in the boat too. Place it a few inches higher than your existing pump and know your covered if your stock pump fails. Nothing worse than sitting at home during a huge downpour wondering if you pump is keeping up. Make sure and have two.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

No chance of a lift so I like the idea of wiring it for shore power. I guess the second battery and charger are a must and I think the second pump would be good for peace of mind.

Thanks guys.

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2008 H210SS Yellow VP 5.7 GXi 320 HP (sold May 2010)
2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI Diesel

We spend alot of time, the majority of our time, on the boat, socializing and listening to music as opposed to pulling skier's, people on tube's etc, so for me the dual batt setup was a must. The dual batt charger gives me great convienence along with confidence that I'm always going out with 2 full batteries. In your case you want the confidence that your redundant battery will kick in if the primary is drained because of water entry into your bilge area. This requires a little differnet set up. I know they are out there, just haven't researched them myself, but there are setups where if say batt one drops to a certian voltage then the system automatically switches to batt 2. Shouldn't be to complicated, just make sure you purchase the right setup or you'll be defeating the whole purpose of putting in a dual batt setup in your case.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

My dual battery/ dual bilge pump setup works just as Impulse describes. When the first battery reaches a certain level (disharged) the water level in the bilge rises and the backup bilge pump on the second battery kicks in. :p

Seriously, a second (correctly sized) bilge pump is a great idea. For some thoughts on correct bilge pump sizing and more from the unique perpective of a marine insurance investigator, google PASCOE AND BILGE. Also, there are many good reasons to have a dual battery setup, and on board charger - although it might be tempting to try and get by with a single battery and charger left hooked up to shore power in your absence. I seem to recall stories about the helpful marina workers that unplug chargers obviously left on ny mistake, or the storm that takes out shore power right before the downpour. Where would we be without life's challenges?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Jim - excellent info, I just finished reading an article by David Pascoe and will now absolutely be installing a backup pump.

Thanks

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2008 H210SS Yellow VP 5.7 GXi 320 HP (sold May 2010)
2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI Diesel