Novice Slip question

[mnewb1]

Very novice boater, middle of last year, we got our first boat. A 23 foot Sportcraft Walk around cuddy

We are keeping the boat in a rack at a marina on Lake Michigan. I have been thinking about moving to a slip this summer instead.
What do I need to keep this boat in a slip? There are good scuppers on the boat, but do I need a full canvas cover? An bilge pump with a float? Lines and a slip space?

I know, a very basic question, but believe me I am learning from the ground up.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Novice Slip question

I would say: fenders (of course), a cover (interior fades, rots, gets dirty, cracks, gets water in without one), A bilge pump with an auto switch is a good idea (2 are even a better idea), rain comes down fast scuppers can clog. Just a good piece of mind in my book., lines (again, of course), a good battery (in case the bilge pumps run....Again 2 batteries are better piece of mind). I go out solo ALOT and I found that a boat hook is a handy thing to have on board (once you learn it and get use to it it can be a nice asset when docking solo).

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Novice Slip question

seaboo has most everything. For me, one addition would be a bilge pump system that has a pager function if you aren't at the boat often. I'd have a hard time sleeping at night worrying about the batteries draining down and not kicking the bilge pumps on. Then again, I've never slipped my boat longer than a weekend, so YMMV.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Novice Slip question

My batteries are wired with 2 Sunforce 7 amp charge controllers and a solar panel charger. It tops off whatever the engine didn't manage to fully charge during an outing. never had an issue. I also have a plug in trickle charger that I'll connect if I use the spreader lights on a night outing or if it has been raining alot and the bilge pump is getting a workout. I would highly suggest getting a slip that has electricity access.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Novice Slip question

First and foremost, do a thorough inspection of the thru hulls and scuppers. More boats sink at the dock from failures of these two systems than all other causes combined. If your scuppers are more than 5 yro, they should b replaced. If the hoses are more than 7 yro they need replaced as well.

Depends on your slip configuration if you need fenders or not. I don?t own a single fender.
Covers are more of a pain in the butt than they are worth unless you have a sofa boat or you have a lot of debris constantly falling into the boat. Besides, it?s easier to wash bird manure off gelcoat than a cover.

A working bilge pump is a must on any boat but....on a boat with a sealed deck, if you are getting water in the bilge, your first line of defense has already been breached and you're well underway to loosing the battle. The most important thing on a boat with a sealed deck is the cleanliness of the deck drains since in theory, there should be little or no water in the bilge to begin with.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Novice Slip question

Might also want to consider some bottom paint. I think last year was unusual but we pulled our rig out from the slip about the middle of July and the bottom was covered in growth. PITA to get off.

Everyone here has some good suggestions. Biggest concern is how long would your rig be able to pump out water if it was getting in somewhere. Your bilge pump is only good as long as it has a power source.

 

[mjgates]

Re: Novice Slip question

Pretty much covered here. I also inspect before I leave to make sure I don't see any noticeable water coming in. Bilge out any water I may have from in and out of the boat all day. Move the engine cover, shine a light and make sure I don't see any water coming in. Actually heard it at one point coming from a tear in what I believe was an exhaust boot. I could see the water level slowly change, but not coming in. Had I just left, I probably would of sunk her. You never know what could happen since the last time you were out or while you were out for the day.