In-water slip vs. trailer?

[abillmann]

Need the opinions of all you experts! What's better... Option A or Option B?

OPTION A: Keep a 1992 Mariah in a slip, in the water, at a marina that's a few blocks from my house, knowing that in a midwestern lake, it's going to get scummy and slimy, but still paying the outrageous fee of $1500/year for the slip.

OPTION B: Buy an old F-150 or Suburban and trailer the boat, knowing that it might cut down on spur-of-the-moment outings, and trying like hell to find a place to store said tow vehicle and boat when neither are in use.


Bottom line: Is a boat that's kept in a slip, in the water, from May to October, basically going to be ruined?

 

[scoutabout]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Keeping your boat in the water all summer will certainly not ruin it. It will, as you predict, get slimy but that's not the end of the world either. It all depends on your level of fanatacism regarding cleanliness. Our family kept boats in the water all season for decades and I'd pull them a couple of times a summer to do a cleaning. Yeah, they were never in showroom shine condition but that wasn't the point.

The cost of your slip option, however, is pretty high. I'd be tempted to take option B (unless, of course storing the rig on land is going to cost you as much or be a huge inconvenience in terms of getting back to the lake). Once you get some practice with trailering in you can be launched and away in a few minutes -- same for hauling out.

If you are going to keep it in the water, be more concerned about weather protection in terms of prevailing winds, wave action, etc. Get yourself dual auto bilge pumps set up running off independent power supplies too.

 

[abj87]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Keeping the boat in the water will no way ruin a boat. Your maintenance will be a little higher due to a possible need for bottom paint and its a little harder on components. I will keep my boat in the water from may to September. Depending on whether its fresh or salt matters too. If its salt i would look into FWC kits as well.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I would go with the slip without thinking twice. I love being able to just head out to the boat and go. No worrying about waiting at the ramp, etc.

I would invest in bottom paint, however. I grew up on a lake in upstate NY and we had boats/jet ski's that we kept in the lake...the hulls would have had horrible stains if not for the bottom paint.

And $1500 for the slip is cheap...here they run between $4000 - 7500 depending on location.

 

[maxturbo]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I would go with the slip without thinking twice. I love being able to just head out to the boat and go. No worrying about waiting at the ramp, etc.

I would invest in bottom paint, however. I grew up on a lake in upstate NY and we had boats/jet ski's that we kept in the lake...the hulls would have had horrible stains if not for the bottom paint.

And $1500 for the slip is cheap...here they run between $4000 - 7500 depending on location.

I couldnt agree more. Trailering does save u some money but it always takes more time to get ready. This past year was my last for trailering. Ive already put a deposit on a slip for next year cant wait. Boy I wish the slips where 1500. They charge any wheres from 100 to 150 a ft. Depending on the location some places even more.

 

[ebry710]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I wish I had your problem. The truck is not free. Insurance, age, storage of truck, storage of boat at home, trailer upkeep, time to transport and launch and just the hassle is easily worth $1500/year. That is if 1) you use your boat a lot and 2) go to the same spot.
Those two if's do not reflect me. I am also a tweeker, I keep on improving my boat when I am not using it and have items on it I remove when not in use.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

i assume this is your first boat, slip you need a good boat cover, even in a covered slip.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

In the slip is the way to go. One thing not mentioned, the growth on the bottom is more than a "cleanliness" or "looks" issue. If you operate a boat with a fouled bottom, it will increase the drag and cause your engine to not reach max WOT RPMS. This lugging will cause the combustion chamber temps to increase, and it will "tulip" your valves. Unless you are a mechanic, it will cost you at least $2000 to remove your cylinder heads and rebuild/replace them.
So, GET THE BOTTOM PAINTED!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Bottom line: Is a boat that's kept in a slip, in the water, from May to October, basically going to be ruined?

Not at all, and why would you even have to ask that question? "Someone" said that to you, didn't they?
I kept my boat in a slip from April to November every year from 2001 to present and it suffered no ill effects. I think it was actually better for it, as the impeller pump stayed full of water and didn't dry out and crack, plus it allowed regular use of the boat which means stuff didn't sit there and degrade from non-use.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

the more you use a boat, that is slipped the less growth it gets.

 

[salty87]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

don't forget that with a slip you'll be paying marina prices for gas.

do the math...what's the truck going to cost? trailer?
for the same price, how many seasons do you get in the slip?
how much gas do you use in a year? how many times do you go out?

will the slip be worth the extra expense to you? many thousands of boats are sitting in slips in thousands of marinas.

 

[lucid484]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I think buying a truck and all the fee's,maint. gas prices that go with it AND finding room at your house to store a boat AND a truck would be alot more hassle and $$$ than just getting a slip....I agree that $1500 is a normal price,thats what they chage at all 3 marina's on the CT river where I live.

And like said previously....with a slip you can just hop in your car and goto the boat...even if you don't want to go for a ride...depending on how big it is,you could just spend the day on it grilling and drinking beers with friends like alot of people up here do. And bottom paint isn't very expensive and you can put it on your self!


luckily I have a father and a friend who gave me a boat that will trailer it for me from the marina to my house (once I get my boat finished that is LOL).

 

[mthieme]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I live across the street from my creek. I'm blessed with good neighbors on the water. I have two boats in at two different neighbor's piers. It's a great convenience to just walk over, turn the key and go. If I had to pay slip fees, I would probably pull it each time. Slip fees are relative, $1500 around here is not a bad commercial price and an average private price.
I also have a truck, trailers and am two houses up from the community ramp.
My parents also live on the water although a few miles down the road on the next river up. I've kept a boat their in the past and it was extremely inconvenient.

How often do you use your boat?
How much is the convenience worth to you?
For $1500, you can come up with a trailer and truck to pull it.

 

[lkbum]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Leaving the boat in water won't "ruin" it. But a blisterd hull will certainly take a lot of value out of it. Cleaning a bottom every weekend or so is certainly not my idea of fun.. And fiberglass absorbs a couple of % in weight of water (your boat will get heavier). But I hate trailering, biggest problem is the lines at the end of the day, or the day you stay late and pull out in the dark. I would go with the slip AND a used boat lift. Check craigs list, e-bay etc for a lift. A 2500 lb hydrohoist/floatair lift can be had for around $1000 to $2000 in most areas installed. You come back to slip, energize the blower and in a few minutes your boat is "on a trailer" at your slip. If you don't have power avaiable, I believe there are some solar/battery options available now. And they are easy to sell if you ever part with the slip..

 

[mthieme]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

And fiberglass absorbs a couple of % in weight of water (your boat will get heavier).

Huh ?

 

[lucid484]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

a blistered hull or fiberglass taking on water is a very bad thing...but thats for people who don't properly take care of their boats...at all 3 marina's by my house they are FULL of boats....there are even about 8 boats that sit in the water through out the winter (have bubblers) below their slips.....


its a very easy and the most commen DIY project to bottom paint your boat....just do it at beginning of season before you drop your boat in the water and wash it off at end of season when you take it out.

and just think of all the big boats that are in salt water 24/7/365!!!! with correct bottom paint they don't have problems.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

Leave it in the slip. Mine is in a freshwater lake where I spend my weekends from April to Oct.

Yes, it gets very dirty but a cleaning mid season will fix that.

I like Option A because it's what I do and I'm ready to go at a moments notice and two, on the small lake I'm at, I only pay $285/year for the slip

 

[striper2101]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

I trailer my boat and at this point for me it makes more sense than slipping it. I live a half mile from the public launch ramp. It is a good ramp with a wash down area and not too many uneducated boaters. My boat is a 2004 21 foot walk around with an outboard. I get to use my boat atleast 2 or 3 times a month - I'm married with 3 little kids. I bought my boat new, and because I can maintain it, it is in very good to mint condition. Becuase my boat is on a trailer, I can also get gas at regular gas stations and can do all the maintenance myself which saves a considerable amount of money. I am also fortunate to be able to store my boat on the side of my house. I would consider slipping my boat when my kids get bigger and I can go out during the week with them but for now, the trailer makes more sense.

In your case, you will probably need a trailer anyway for winter storage other wise you have to pay to have it hauled and blocked and then put back in the water each year. After a few years, I would think that would equal the cost of a trailer. I would also think that insurance would be more for a boat kept in the water. Financially, I think the trailer is a lot less expensive between slip fees, higher fuel and maintenance, higher insurance and winter storage. But all that being said, if you can afford it and will use the boat more than maybe slipping it makes more sense for you.

 

[bowman316]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

it seems like the going rate around here for a slip is $50 per ft per year.
so a 16 ft boat would be 800 for the year. but that will be higher near a city, like if you wanted a slip in the Baltimore harbor - for instance.

 

[mthieme]

Re: In-water slip vs. trailer?

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