www.iFourWinns.com

I need some advice. I'm considering slipping my boat for the summer, but I need to know what to expect.

I sold my 2004 Yukon with nearly 200K miles last month. Had a buyer and said goodbye. (great vehicle, just figured it was time) We only used it for towing the boat. Before I run out and replace it I wanted to get some advice about leaving my boat in the water.

I boat at Lake Cumberland (75 miles from my house) and keep my boat in covered storage less than 5 miles from the marina. A couple of times a year we will go to Barren River lake or Dale Hallow. This year I'm considering renting a slip at the marina (Conley Bottom) The cost would $1325 for a year. I have friends and family that I can borrow a truck from to use occasionaly to pull out and clean, travel to the other lakes etc. My main concern is what to expect as far as maintenance, potential damage, etc. I've tied up overnight and used a slip for a holiday weekend, but never long term,


I appreciate any opinions on what I should do or insight on what to expect.


Cheers to a safe and happy 2013 boating season! Can't wait!


Thanks,

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-Eddie/2007 H200/5.0 Merc 220hp/2004 GMC Yukon

Well, not sure what to tell you really. My opinion is that a boat that is going to stay in the water, should be properly bottom painted, especially fiberglass boats.. A fiberglass boat (so I'm told), is inherently NOT, water proof, and if left in the water too long (probably more than a season), will certainly start to develop issues beginning with blistering and leading to worse.. The process probably gets put off a little while with seasonal removal from the water and drying. Bottom paint will also keep growth from forming on the hull (which will accelerate the above mentioned processes), and not require the cleaning that non-bottom painted boats will. If you don't, and you leave it in, it likely won't take long to become quite dirty, and if left more than a couple weeks, will start developing growth.. Now, sure, you can pull it out regularly and clean her off, but I'd still worry about staining on a lighter colored or white hulled boat.. Now I'm torn with a boat like yours, because, I'm not sure that I've seen too many boats of your size bottom painted, probably simply because they're trailered mostly.. Another possible option to get the best of both worlds, would be to find a lift for your slip. A good used lift for your size boat probably wouldn't cost you too dearly, and is a one time expense, but your marina may charge you a winter rate for your slip then too, unless you figure out a way to get the lift out of the slip easy too at the end of the season. This also sort of locks you into slipping a little, because if you ever decide to not slip, then you have to figure out how to get rid of the lift as well.. The benefits of using a lift would include less cleaning maintenance, and keeping your boat out of the water when not in use, without having to trailer. Those are my scattered thoughts thus far..

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

I forgot to mention the slip would be covered.


Thanks for the info TFD2001 - As for the the lift, very good thought. I will check around the marina to see if a used one might be available.

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-Eddie/2007 H200/5.0 Merc 220hp/2004 GMC Yukon

That will help you a little with the top side of the boat in keeping it clean, but won't change issues with below the waterline stuff too much.. Also, another thought, with slipping, spiders, which seem to also be more prevalent in a covered slip (my boat spends its summers in a covered slip). They can be a pain for your top side surfaces as far as keeping clean. I'm usually not too bad through most of the season, but I spray my docks, and my dock neighbors slips before the boats are in for spiders specifically (it's some livestock stuff I get from a local feed store), and it certainly cuts down on that problem.. I spray the slip perimeters, the vertical poles around the slips, and the beams in the ceiling.. The Corps would probably frown on that, but I do it usually in March, of an evening, on the weekend prior to boats getting in..

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

Also you will need to check your anodes more often. More so if your using shore power.

IF you are having a fouling problems, you may want to paint your out drive too with a non-copper based paint.

You may also want to consider a dock box for storage.

I have been on a slip for the past 5 years & we love it! It goes in around May 1st & comes out Nov 1st. Weather permitting!

Bottom paint on a bowrider will hurt resale

No shorepower on a 20ft. bowrider. So anodes should be fine for the season.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Got to pick your poison there I think.. Bottom paint probably won't help the value, but neither will a stained, or blistered hull..

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

If you can do the lift, that would be best. Just was speaking to a dealer this week who mentioned how bottom paint will lower the value of a boat that size.

The upside is once you slip, you will never go back. You will love it.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Keep in mind that, bottom paint itself, does not stop water absorption into the hull and does not stop blistering. What stops it is first, barrier coating the bottom in an epoxy barrier coat and then using bottom paint on that. Having said that my 88 has been bottom painted since before I had it, has spent at least 10 seasons on a salt water mooring and has no blisters.
The things you need to watch are:
1) engine compartment water leaks, monitor the water levels closely at first. You can have a leaking bellows or even a leak in the transom seal that can cause big problems.
2) you need a reliable auto bilge pump and not one of the small 500 gph units these boats come with sometimes but at least 1000 gph.
3) a dual battery system is very handy
4) the correct zincs, you use zinc or aluminum for salt and magnesium for fresh water, regular zincs will not be active enough to help in fresh water.

As far as bottom paint hurting resale, yes that is true in some areas, but here even dinghies and inflatables get bottom painted, the things that grow in salt water you cannot imagine if you have not experienced it. I have seen some people moor their boats from Friday-Sunday and then pull them out. That would work well too if you have the time to do it.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I'd sell my boat before I'd consider slipping it without a lift.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Have you considered dry storage? Depending on the marina, they may offer dry storage. Just call before you arrive and your boat will be launched and waiting in a slip for you when you arrive. At the end of the day, just tie it up and they will load her up for you and put her back in dry storage. No worries about scum, blisters, etc.

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Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

We've been in a slip for years. We enjoy the "night life" of the marina just hanging out with the other boaters. As for maintenance, unless it's going to be in the water 24x7x365, common sense prevails. If you truly enjoy boating, you'll adapt. Check zincs, the bilge and growth often and handle it if it presents itself.
I certainly wouldn't get out of boating versus slipping her. When she's in her slip, it is our floating condo by the shore....

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

I live on Long Island, we are surrounded by water, all of it salt water, I'd estimate about 75% of boats are slipped in marinas or on moorings. These boats get used and enjoyed, they are not sitting collecting dust in a storage facility. The bottom paint thing is not so bad, and not having to trailer is a benefit. Where I live is a tough neighborhood to trailer in with very narrow roads and steep hills. And then there's the famous Long Island traffic. If I had to trailer I would stick to hot rods. So I plan on having used boats, that have already been in salt water with bottom paint and outboard powered most likely in the future. There are boats out there older than mine, that get used at least every week, running across Long Island Sound to Connecticut, with people enjoying them. Yes the bottom paint and (in the case of I/Os) drive paint ritual is a pain, but worth the pleasure of jumping on the boat in 15 minutes and being out in a beautiful place.....it's just a vehicle to me to bring us to the beauty of Long Island.....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Obvious question.....how frequent do you go boating? And what are you going to be driving? I got momma a V 8 4 Runner..but many vehicles will handle a five minute trip...slip is for your convenience...dry storage is for boat health. Water is mother natures great equilizer and everything will give way eventually.....hard to believe we drink it....kills retired battleships and bodies....I'd pay a a little more for lift, dry storage or a used truck as tow vehicle.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi