Water Storage

[JC Newbie]

Need some advise; I am new to boating and closing on a deal for a 2001 Crownline 202BR. I have a dedicated slip at my freshwater condo complex on a smaller lake in East TN. I am considering leaving it in the water for 2-3 months at a time but pulling it out during the fall and winter. Any suggestions or pitfalls?

 

[garbageguy]

You've got a boat, and a slip - there are tons of "suggestions and pitfalls". Can you narrow it down so you can get better help?

Should be OK sittin in freshwater - make sure it doesn't leak, and the bilge pump is working and ready to run automatically. If an IO, make sure the bellows are OK - if not sure, replace 'em. I like to keep the cockpit cover on when not being used. Not sure about winterizing there, I'm in northeast so we definitely winterize

 

[ahicks]

I've had a boat sitting in fresh water nearly my entire life. My advice would be if you want to keep it nice, get a boat lift.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Welcome to iboats!

A few suggestions:
1. Take a boating safety course. (this is #1 for a reason!)
2. Have a buddy who knows boat take you out a few times so you can learn to pilot it safely.
3. Never approach the dock faster than you're willing to hit it.
4. Talk to other owners near you to find out what sort of bottom paint is typical in your area.
5. Have fun!

 

[JC Newbie]

garbageguy; thanks for the response. I am most worried about the haul, just basic pros/cons. The boat will be winterized and dry stored during the winter months. I will check on the bellows and bilge pump. It also comes with a bow and cockpit cover and they will be used. My slip is also covered. Thanks again.

 

[alldodge]

Sitting in the water for that long is rolling the dice without barrier coat and bottom paint. Water will penetrate gelcoat given enough time, whether it happens or not is just a guess.

Slim will build up, and most can be removed when pulled out. There is a boat at our dock which has been sitting constant without bottom paint and without out anyone using it for over 5 years, and its still floating, south KY

 

[garbageguy]

You're welcome JC. ahicks, JASin, and AllD have great points, their input is always valuable.

I've got a used 1998 woodcore fiberglass boat (among others), it's got bottom coat and ablative bottom paint on it, had it when I got it about 5 seasons ago. It is slipped in fresh water every season (about April-November) since I've had it - probably always was. I've always wanted to, but have never re-done the bottom paint, for various reasons. It doesn't sit long enough to allow much to grow on the hull, but the water is likely discoloring the original white hull where the water stays in contact with it. There are no signs of water intrusion, but I agree it may be a roll of the dice. Boat lift would be great.

 

[Blind Date]

I live in MN & slip my Sundancer in freshwater. No way would I ruin that boat with nasty bottom paint. I pull it out one or twice during the season when it starts looking ugly and clean the bottom with acid. Looks like brand new after. No issues with blistering.

The number #1 reason slipped I/O's go down is bellows failure. So make sure they are in good shape.

Last one out at the city docks last fall!

 

[southkogs]

Take a putt past some of the boats in the marinas on Norris Lake or the river one day. Look at the ones on lifts vs. the ones that are floatin'. I trailer over near Nashville, but when I go through the marinas on Priest or Center Hill you can see the effects of the water on the hulls. For the most part, they're not bottom painted - and they're almost all seaworthy. But a bunch of 'em are cosmetically ugly.

Assuming you're doing your preventative maintenance and spending a little time scrubbin' the hull now and again, there's no reason it can't be fine in a slip. But there are some realities to what the water will do to the hull.

:welcome:

 

[JASinIL2006]

I thought the danger of not having a barrier coat on a slipped boat was development of blisters in the gel coat, rather than just the cosmetic problems.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Advantage of slipping all season, you don't have to put her in and out.

The disadvantage, if you want to keep the bottom pristine you have to take her out to clean and put her back in.

I am on a grungy slow flowing creek in Lake Erie where Zebra Mussels thrive. To keep her perfect I need to take it out at least once a month, minimum. It will depend on the flow and cleanliness of the freshwater where you are.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Depending on the water you're in, here's what you can expect-maybe:

First pic, day one, brand new 2007 Bayliner... Second pic, day 42, exactly 6 weeks later...

 

[QBhoy]

Mine sits on a fresh water mooring during the season...not great for it really. I pull it out a few times a year to dry out and clean the crap off the bottom with oxalic acid. I refuse to antifoul the hull.
Always run the risk of osmosis in left in fresh water too long.