New Marina Slip questions...

[Champion5]

Hello all!!! I visit this site often to try and learn everything I can about boats, boating and equipment. This year I have reserved a slip in the water at a local marina for my bass boat. I usually fish 3-4x a week and over the years it is getting old trailoring it back and forth several times a week. I figured this year I would take the plunge and leave it in the water.
I have a 19' Champion bass boat and I wanted to know what all I should change/convert on it for leaving it in the water? I do plan on taking it out several times during its stay to clean off the bottom and tidy it up. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thanks!!!
Adam

 

[captain zac]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

On board smart charger
Bottom paint

 

[lncoop]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

What Zac said and of course a top notch (preferably custom) cover, which you may already have. Since you and your boat are fortunate enough to spend that much time together it sounds like the slip will be money well spent. Tight lines.

 

[Champion5]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

Yes I do have a custom cover. I spoke with a boat dealer about the anti fouling paint and I was told that since I would be taking it out on the water at least once a week and going fast enough (over 60mph he said) that I would not need it. I was shocked that he told me that and just didn't quote me a price. Your thoughts on this? I have a battery tender in my boat for my trolling motor batteries. I have left my boat all winter several times and the batteries never die. I had them die once and I just replaced it with a trolling motor battery for a temp fix. I guess I am more concerned with having a plastic screw in plug(sinking my boat) and my boat hitting the dock if there was plenty of wind.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

The battery maintainer you have should be fine. Strategically placed fenders will protect the boat from the dock. Since you'll be seeing your girl several times a week I wouldn't worry too much about her sinking. However, a bilge pump with a float switch would provide some pretty cheap peace of mind.

 

[Champion5]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

Perfect I will check into them and purchase one. Are they easy to install? Or should I have a pro do it? Thanks!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

if it has finger piers on both sides tie it in the middle of the slip to keep it from rubbing the dock--or good fenders if only 2 sides availible.
a cover will keep prying eyes off your goodies when your gone and hep keep it clean.
Do not worry about bottom paint- just clean it off regularly.

 

[captain zac]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

one other thing

an extra set of lines
leave them at the dock Tied off
Makes it much easier when returning

 

[NHGuy]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

Bilge pumps are easy to install, make sure to get one with an auto float switch.
Also do some learning on how to set up spring lines at your slip. Once set up you can just drop em onto your cleats and the boat is secure in it's home. That's a lot better than tying up every time you come in!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

Oops, Zak said it 1st.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

Perfect I will check into them and purchase one. Are they easy to install? Or should I have a pro do it? Thanks!

Piece of cake. Buy one from iboats.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

I spoke with a boat dealer about the anti fouling paint and I was told that since I would be taking it out on the water at least once a week and going fast enough (over 60mph he said) that I would not need it. I was shocked that he told me that and just didn't quote me a price. Your thoughts on this?

Possibly stupid question.....but when your 60 mile an hour bass boat is going 60 mile and hour.....isn't very little of the hull actually in the water? I guess you could do some tight turns now and then to get some scrubbing action going. The best advice any of us can give regarding bottom paint is to talk to other in your specific marina. How much any given stretch of water messes up a boat varies widely.

 

[shrew]

Re: New Marina Slip questions...

one other thing

an extra set of lines
leave them at the dock Tied off
Makes it much easier when returning

Ditto. I prefer spliced loop lines. Tie the non-spliced end to the piling and make sure to tweak the length where you want. This leaves teh spliced loops on the boat side. When you leave the dock, undo the loops from the cleats and toss them on the dock. When you return, loop them on the cleats again. It will be much easier than tweaking the length of line each time you come and go.

Make sure to tie the dock lines to the pilings, NOT to cleats. If the cleat or the deck board the cleat is screwed or bolted to goes, the boat is untied. Use Chaffe protection anywhere the lines rub.

Be polite, your neighbors don't want to be stepping over lines. I have hooks on my pilings to drape the lines on so they hang close enough to reach when I pull in and are out of everyone's way.

The lines should prevent the boat from hitting the dock. Don't rely on fenders. Fenders are nice, and I have a few just in case, but constant rubbing on fenders will leave wear marks on the boat.

Make sure to use spring lines properly, forward and back and on both sides, and cross tie the stern if possible. Basically look at how 95% of the other guys are doing it. Don't do it the easy way or the way the 5% are doing it.

If you're going to use a charger, make sure it is a smart charger. Bilge pumps are worth their weight in gold. don't wet slip without both a charger and a bilge pump with an auto float switch.

Finally, be curteous and remember that the finger pier is half your neighbor's and the main dock is everyone's. Nobody wants to be tripping over your junk.

Once you wet slip you'll never trailer again. Enjoy the comraderie. You are about to make a whole new circle of friends.