advice on boat slip

[shankwc]

I have a 14' 87 bayliner bass striker. It has a semi-v hull. I'd like to take it to the new jersey shore for a 3 week vacation to use in the back bay. I can get a slip for 3 weeks so i don't have to find a place to park my trailer every day. Is it safe for this small a boat to be in the water 24 hours a day for 3 weeks? Do I need to flush the engine after every use, once a week while i'm there or can I wait till I'm done?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[tommays]

Re: advice on boat slip

After about 5 days(MAX) things are going to start growing on the hull if you do not have and antifouling bottom paint

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: advice on boat slip

if you are using the boat everyday, you have no problem, but if left still, certain times a year, growth can start in 3 days. we got to the FL Keys for August, the boat stays in the water the complete time. the upper is washed down every day, and covered, so we have a clean and non sticky boat, for the next day.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: advice on boat slip

I don't have any saltwater and engine flushing experience but as for the hull, our 17' SeaRay I/O was in freshwater 24 hours a day from May to October for ten years running. It would get one nasty case of waterline scum stuck to it by the end of a couple weeks but a good haulout and cleaning every couple of months took it all off and it looked good as new.

The Scout in my avatar above sat in the water all last year on a different lake with far less plant growth and got barely a faint yellow line after the entire summer.

I'd say flushing after every use couldn't hurt but it might be a PITA depending on facilities near the dock. Also, you could leave the engine tilted too. If you have to haul it to flush you might as well just leave it out til you want to use it again.

If you aren't used to regular stretches of extending mooring I'd pay more attention to how she's tied up, proper fender placement, redundant lines, protected from the elements and other boats and checked on at least every other day.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: advice on boat slip

I plan on doing the same thing as you this summer in Ocean City. I'm planning on using my boat most every day. I figure what I'll do when I get home is take it for a run in the river to hopefully get a lot of the salt off/out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: advice on boat slip

when you trailer the boat, stop at a self service car wash, and give her a good bath. that way you don't take bad things home to your local lake.

 

[arboldt]

Re: advice on boat slip

when you trailer the boat, stop at a self service car wash, and give her a good bath. that way you don't take bad things home to your local lake.

Around here, this is a very good idea even if not a requirement to combat zebra mussels. The ocean-going ships are constantly bringing invasive species into the great lakes, and they readily hitchike to inland lakes and rivers.

 

[jollymon]

Re: advice on boat slip

If you can flush the motor with fresh water every day great, if not use the boat and enjoy it!

I would wash the topside every day, a good rinsing will do it. I used to take my pontoon boat to the shore for a couple of days at a time. i would spend as much time washing it as I did using it.

When you do pull it after the vacation, give it a real good washing. I recommend using Salt-a-way. It does a great job. Also after you launch the boat give the trailer a good washing, make sure you get the wheels and brakes. Do the same thing after you pull the boat.

Wet saltwater is not as much as a problem as when the slatwater evaporates, and leaves behond all of the salt.


Have a great time.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: advice on boat slip

Shank, I live on Barnegat Bay, NJ. It will be safe to keep your boat in the water, provided the marina or slip is protected from waves and storms. If it is up a creek, or well up a lagoon, it should be pretty safe.

During a storm, my lagoon (NE exposure to the open Bay) can get 3-4 ft waves rolling down it. I keep my 16' low profile speedboat on a lift since it sunk twice at the dock, during storms. My 21 footer is large enough to be on mooring whips, even during the storms.