how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

[gestut1]

so i cant wait for my new boat to come in, it sill come with a bow and cockpit cover from the factory. i have a free slip for this year , so i am planning on leaving it in there. two question how long should i leave it on the slip before taking it out and cleaning , do i need to wax ? 2nd question, i personally dont think the bow and cockpit cover will protect the my new boat from rain and elements on the slip completely ? will it, should i get a nother cover to cover on top of the bow and **** pit cover to protect the the top and side of the boat on the slip, is this even possible? if so any reccommendation for a cover, can it be a cheaper cover as i already have the cockpit and bow cover, will appreciate any inputs as i am new to this.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

Is the boat slip in saltwater? If it is then you are going to need to bottom paint your boat. you should wax if before you put it in for the season, if it doesn't come from the factory already waxed. Take it out a few times to make sure nothing wrong with it before leaving it at the slip. The bow and cockpit covers should do if you put rainx on it or other rain repelling stuff. Always leave the bilge pump on automatic.

 

[gestut1]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

Is the boat slip in saltwater? If it is then you are going to need to bottom paint your boat. you should wax if before you put it in for the season, if it doesn't come from the factory already waxed. Take it out a few times to make sure nothing wrong with it before leaving it at the slip. The bow and cockpit covers should do if you put rainx on it or other rain repelling stuff. Always leave the bilge pump on automatic.

thanks for the quick response, no it will be on a lake, wow that is new to me that you need to paint the bottom for salt water.. do i still need to wax it for lake water? so you are saying the **** pit and bow cover will give enough protections

 

[lrlima]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

you will need a good mooring cover and an automatic bilge pump. make sure the cover is properly installed so that water runs off of it and doesnt collect in the middle (ie put a support pole in the middle).

congrats on the new boat, what kind did you get?

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

ya saltwater you should so you don't get marine growth on it. The waxing i never did because i can't with my boat because the owner before though you were suppose to paint it with house paint. you probably should wax it looks nicer and i think it keep it so theres no water staining. The cockpit and bow cover should but put a rain repellent on it any ways.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

you can always see when you get the boat. you can take the cover and take a hose and see if the water goes through

 

[gestut1]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

you will need a good mooring cover and an automatic bilge pump. make sure the cover is properly installed so that water runs off of it and doesnt collect in the middle (ie put a support pole in the middle).

congrats on the new boat, what kind did you get?

i ended up getting 2011 monterey 204 fs, full loaded, yellow, its on order

 

[gestut1]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

ya saltwater you should so you don't get marine growth on it. The waxing i never did because i can't with my boat because the owner before though you were suppose to paint it with house paint. you probably should wax it looks nicer and i think it keep it so theres no water staining. The cockpit and bow cover should but put a rain repellent on it any ways.

house paint ?? you mean the previous owner painted the bottom with house paint? i am assuming yours sits in salt water?

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

no he painted the hole boat with house paint lol he didn't even do a good job

 

[sea_goin_dude]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

TIP, boat covers should not be water proof.... like plastic that will not breath. If you seal it with a waterproof cover, when you return, everything inside will stink from the mildew,rot etc. Must be able to breath. If you do put a "plastic or waterproof" cover on it everything will ruin. Not a pleasant thing to pop the cover and the smell can almost knock you down.....seen it done and not a nice day for the boat ower

 

[ezmobee]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

Welcome to the forum gestut1 and congrats on the new boat. The BEST thing to do as far as determining what you need to do to slip the boat is to talk to others who wet slip in that marina or at least on that lake. Every body of water is different when it comes to marine growth. You may find you need to bottom paint or you may find that you can just pull it and wash it every couple weeks.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

Marine growth is one thing, osmotic blistering is another concern (greater concern in my opinion) when slipping a boat. Aside from being a weekend with the boat in the water, you should bottom paint any boat being slipped regardless of salt content. My boat stays in Lake Michigan and I wouldn't dream of not having bottom paint.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

TIP, boat covers should not be water proof.... like plastic that will not breath. If you seal it with a waterproof cover, when you return, everything inside will stink from the mildew,rot etc. Must be able to breath. If you do put a "plastic or waterproof" cover on it everything will ruin. Not a pleasant thing to pop the cover and the smell can almost knock you down.....seen it done and not a nice day for the boat ower

This comment is highly misleading. Being waterproof and breathable are two totally separate items from each other. Alot of boats get shrinkwrapped with plastic for the winter and they don't end up being stinky. The key is a waterproof cover that still breathes, usually through vented holes.

 

[shrew]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

This comment is highly misleading. Being waterproof and breathable are two totally separate items from each other. Alot of boats get shrinkwrapped with plastic for the winter and they don't end up being stinky. The key is a waterproof cover that still breathes, usually through vented holes.

You should be using vents designed to allow airflow and still prohibit water intrusion to ensure airflow and reduce mold/mildew growth when the boat is shrinkwrapped.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

You should be using vents designed to allow airflow and still prohibit water intrusion to ensure airflow and reduce mold/mildew growth when the boat is shrinkwrapped.

Precisely, hence waterproof "and" breathable. The member I quoted stated that a cover shouldn't be waterproof. I completely disagree, otherwise what's the use of covering it? The cover should keep water out (be waterproof) and let air flow freely (breathable).

 

[gestut1]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

Welcome to the forum gestut1 and congrats on the new boat. The BEST thing to do as far as determining what you need to do to slip the boat is to talk to others who wet slip in that marina or at least on that lake. Every body of water is different when it comes to marine growth. You may find you need to bottom paint or you may find that you can just pull it and wash it every couple weeks.

thanks ezmobee, i am confused why doesnt the factory just paint the bottom then after all the money we pay for brand new boat, i thought thats what the gel coat was for (to protect), sorry i a new to this ,,,,so if you have to paint on a brand new boat, then dont you have to sand the gel coat before painting, that doesn't sound appealing to do this on a brand new boat

 

[ezmobee]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

thanks ezmobee, i am confused why doesnt the factory just paint the bottom then after all the money we pay for brand new boat

Cuz not everyone wet slips (especially something easily trailerable like your 20 footer). You are correct that you have to sand the gel coat, apply a barrier coat and then bottom paint. Bottom paint is a pain, has to be redone periodically, isn't particularly attractive and reduces the value of your boat. It's a bummer but it's the reality of leaving a boat in the water.

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

i would get a second hand lift before bottom painting a new boat. just my opinion.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

get a local to advise you on bottom paint and what kind. Get a professional to apply the first coat (including prep as you mentioned). Often they will want you to slip it for a week or two to make a scum line so they know where to paint.
Don't fret about painting the bottom; it's the bottom. Fish don't care how it looks. You are truly fortuneate that you can leave it in the water; it will more than triple your use of the boat and makes it available for short trips like sunset cruises after work. A great trade-off for a shiny undercarriage.
A good boat is made to be outdoors so don't sweat covering every inch. Compare pool furniture to living room furniture. Also covering an entire boat that's in the water is a huge pain. (When it's on a trailer, it's easier and you can leave the cover in the garage, and it protects the boat from leaves, etc. you don't get on the water.) Since you have the kind of boat that needs to have its interior covered, you have the cockpit covers. All you need.
Some people here disagree about covering every inch to "protect" the boat from the sun. Some people keep their cars in a garage all the time; some put covers on them in the driveway every night. Personally, I'd put the vintage Ford mustang in the garage but not the Explorer. Which one is your boat?
It's just a matter of how much money you want to spend and boating time you want to lose, to end up with a 10 year old boat looking like a 5 year old boat instead of a 10 year old boat.

You can't beat local knowledge. Go hang out at your marina Saturday when people are working on their boats. Compare the ones that have been covered, painted, whatever and ask their age.

Know your bilge pump and its set up. Confirm that you have automatic (float switch) indepently wired. I've heard of boats being sold without them and I think that's criminal. This is way more important than the cosmetics.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: how to cover and maintain a new boat on the slip

i would get a second hand lift before bottom painting a new boat. just my opinion.

I second this.