In-water slip vs. trailer?

[12vMan]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I vote slip with Hydro-Hoist.
That also eliminates anything from entering your outdrive like zebra mussels, etc.

 

[bowman316]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

The Inner Harbor is running $80-85 ft.
What a deal!!!

were you being sarcastic?
because that actually would be a decent deal,
considering you could basically live in downtown baltimore on your boat.
and not have to pay the high property prices.
i might do it if i worked down there

 

[lkbum]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Huh ?

Yep, epoxy resins absorb water. Depending on the resin this can vary from less than 1% to near 6% percent by weight, this is what causes osmosis blistering.. from an on line article
"Osmosis blistering, if left alone, will sooner or later destroy the integrity of your boat's hull. Often times when a fiberglass boat is hauled, you'll be able to see blisters on the bottom.
A quick fix is to sand over the blisters to open them up and let the water ooze out. If there is no sign of delamination of the fiberglass itself, clean out the blistered area and let it dry out COMPLETELY. Depending on where you live, preferably the Sahara Desert, this drying period could take a few days or even weeks and weeks. Heat lamps or heat guns can be used to help speed up the drying process.
After the hull appears to be dry, it's strongly recommend to have someone go over the bottom with a moisture meter."

A boat gains weight as it sits in the water until it reaches equilibrium. "Wet" mechanical properties of resin are less than those of "dry" resin.

 

[flingus]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Silly question to add to the conversation.. Ok, I'm in Georgia so I guess I would keep my boat at a in-water slip from April-Oct. I have a trailer for my boat so, will that $1500 yearly fee everyone is talking about cover the months I have it sitting on site out of the water? Or do I have to move the boat to a U-Haul storage place or something? So basicly, I'm asking, what do I do with the boat when its not in the water if I'm paying for an entire year of "in-water slip" storage?

I've been trailering my boat for now by renting a truck. I found a dealership that will rent me a F-250 for $70 for Saturday & Sunday so, its really been cheaper than buying a truck. I started at the end of the boating season around here so, I may change my mind next year but, its been cool for now. I have to admit, I really dislike trailering my boat, dealing with the VERY FEW ramps open on Lake Lanier right now. The whole situation is stressful, and very crowded.

 

[lkbum]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

You must boat on Lake Lanier as I do. Check with the marina's, but I think they all require a years commitment. You might check dry storage, at a marina, but on a rack. This is a good alternative but also relatively expensive. You might want to try an ad on craigs list asking for mooring space at a private dock. I know some folks who rent out a slip at their private docks.

 

[lucid484]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Yep, epoxy resins absorb water. Depending on the resin this can vary from less than 1% to near 6% percent by weight, this is what causes osmosis blistering.. from an on line article
"Osmosis blistering, if left alone, will sooner or later destroy the integrity of your boat's hull. Often times when a fiberglass boat is hauled, you'll be able to see blisters on the bottom.
A quick fix is to sand over the blisters to open them up and let the water ooze out. If there is no sign of delamination of the fiberglass itself, clean out the blistered area and let it dry out COMPLETELY. Depending on where you live, preferably the Sahara Desert, this drying period could take a few days or even weeks and weeks. Heat lamps or heat guns can be used to help speed up the drying process.
After the hull appears to be dry, it's strongly recommend to have someone go over the bottom with a moisture meter."

A boat gains weight as it sits in the water until it reaches equilibrium. "Wet" mechanical properties of resin are less than those of "dry" resin.

yeah thats assuming that the boat wasnt properly gel coated or bottom paint maintained...if that was the case you don't have to worry about that.

i know of a chris craft that sat in the water for 12 years never mover...had inches and inches os growth and crap.....and not a single blister!!!!

the first 60's and 70's Chris Craft commanders had top of the line resin and glass and the hulls were over an inch thick!!! they were some of the first mainstream fiberglass boats soooo they did have ALOT to prove its worth over wood.....but just goes to show how even 40 year old manufacturing processes can blow modern fiberglass boats out of the water!

find a good reputable modern boat builder and you'll never have to worry about blisters!

 

[lucid484]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Silly question to add to the conversation.. Ok, I'm in Georgia so I guess I would keep my boat at a in-water slip from April-Oct. I have a trailer for my boat so, will that $1500 yearly fee everyone is talking about cover the months I have it sitting on site out of the water? Or do I have to move the boat to a U-Haul storage place or something? So basicly, I'm asking, what do I do with the boat when its not in the water if I'm paying for an entire year of "in-water slip" storage?

I've been trailering my boat for now by renting a truck. I found a dealership that will rent me a F-250 for $70 for Saturday & Sunday so, its really been cheaper than buying a truck. I started at the end of the boating season around here so, I may change my mind next year but, its been cool for now. I have to admit, I really dislike trailering my boat, dealing with the VERY FEW ramps open on Lake Lanier right now. The whole situation is stressful, and very crowded.

some of the marina's have dry storage areas that when you buy a year slip contract they will haul out your boat and block it..or allow you to park your boat and trailer on thier land for the winter if you renew the following year....

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I think the answer to your question depends on your needs/priorities. If you will boat in the same lake the vast majority of times, whether you store the boat on a trailer or not, I think the slip is the better deal. If you want some variety, and would travel to different bodies of water if you had the trailer, obviously the trailer is a better option.

BTW, if you are getting bottom growth and don't want to have the boat hauled mid-season to clean, you might consider using a diver. I used to race sailboats and we did that regularly to insure top performance. I don't know your area, but in general, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone for this task.

 

[lkbum]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

yeah thats assuming that the boat wasnt properly gel coated or bottom paint maintained...if that was the case you don't have to worry about that.

i know of a chris craft that sat in the water for 12 years never mover...had inches and inches os growth and crap.....and not a single blister!!!!

the first 60's and 70's Chris Craft commanders had top of the line resin and glass and the hulls were over an inch thick!!! they were some of the first mainstream fiberglass boats soooo they did have ALOT to prove its worth over wood.....but just goes to show how even 40 year old manufacturing processes can blow modern fiberglass boats out of the water!

find a good reputable modern boat builder and you'll never have to worry about blisters!

Gel Coat absorbs water also.... You are correct that older boats did not have as mcuh of a blister problem. But it had more to do with types of resin they were using than the reputation of the builder. Early resins were slow cure high volatile content. Very strongs bonds were created between the gel coat and the resin in the fiberglass. Significant cross linking of the polymer matrix occured between the two. As boat demands increased, and the EPA became more stringentin the eraly 80's, builders used faster setting resins and the result was a weaker bond between the Gel Coat and Fiberglass resin. I've seen blisters on virtually every brand of boat including Sea Rays, Gradys, Regals, Montereys, Chris Crafts and Chapparals (all 1980's and later). But I've never seen them on 70's vintage boats (Carver, Sea Ray, Chris Craft).

 

[Euro95]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Did you consider one of those floating docks. Sink it, put it under your boat and let it surface.

Sorry, I do not know what they are called.

--

For us, boat is in the water from april till october. Ofcourse you got to clean it every now and then, but so do you if you put it in your yard. (wax makes cleaning easy)
During winter it is docked.

 

[IntrepidSB]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

If you want your boat to look showroom new with a minimum of work, try dry stack. I dry stack my '05 SeaRay SD 200 - very convenient. I show up at the marina, 'takes about 15 minutes - tops - to put it in the water. When done, they put it away immediately (crew is great). Does not get hammered by sun, wind or rain. They put it on a rack when I need to wax or work on it. Marina also keeps my trailer so I can take it to another body of water. Total cost is $850 per season (May - September) plus $80 for trailer (I store it at the marina as well). Also store on the same rack in winter (~$750 for storage and winterizing).

All in all this method (for me) is pretty easy and adds to the experience because I can go on a Saturday afternoon after the kids sports are done or on the spur of the moment and not have to drag the boat along.

 

[Robertpel9]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Mine sits in the water 8 months out of the year. I did get blistering on my mid 90's Chris Craft. If you do your research you will see this is mainly in all but the most extreme cases a cosmetic issue that will not really effect hull integrity. It will affect resale.

I dont own my wetslip in my n'hood but i get to use one 3 blocks from my house for $800 bucks a year which you cannot beat. I would put a lift in if i owned it but it would be a cold day in he!! before i trailered it back and forth vs dealing with a blistering issue. NOTHING beats the convenience of being on the water in less than 5 minutes. If i had to trailer it i would not use it nearly as much

If i could turn back time i may have treated it and painted the bottom first but i did not know that then, the blisters dont bother me at all and i am really anal about that type of thing. I can't even see them and they really are not doing any tangible harm

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Leave it in a slip. You WILL use it more. Nothing like coming home after a rough day and just going for an evening cruise. The LAST thing you want to be doing after a rough day at work is waiting in line at the ramp with a bunch of other people who have also had a rough day at work....
- Scott

 

[mattttt25]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Once you slip, you'll never go back. My boat stays in the water at a min March - December. I may keep it in the water all year this year, just pull it in March for a week of maintenance. Greatest thing on earth is driving home from work and just deciding to stop by the marina and take her out. Trust me, slip it.