With too much time on my hands and a vow to take my kids wakeboarding at
least once a week when the water warms enough, I'm wondering what the pro's
and con's of leaving my ski boat in the water at the marina, or on the
trailer at the marina, or in my driveway for the summer. Price is the
obvious negative.

The membership fee will cover all the launch fees I would have to pay so
that becomes a moot point.

Then there's a fee for a slip or for on the trailer storage.

What problems and extra maintenance will come up because of keeping the boat
in the water versus on the trailer?

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
With too much time on my hands and a vow to take my kids wakeboarding at
least once a week when the water warms enough, I'm wondering what the
pro's and con's of leaving my ski boat in the water at the marina, or on
the trailer at the marina, or in my driveway for the summer. Price is the
obvious negative.

The membership fee will cover all the launch fees I would have to pay so
that becomes a moot point.

Then there's a fee for a slip or for on the trailer storage.

What problems and extra maintenance will come up because of keeping the
boat in the water versus on the trailer?

====================================
Negatives:

You will have to bottom coat (and perhaps epoxy barrier coat) the boat. I
am doing this to mine at a cost of around $250 for materials alone. You
will have to redo the bottom coat every 2 years at a cost of about $100.
Also consider the cost of your time/

You will also have additional maintenance keeping the outdrive (assuming it
is an I/O) clean and maintained. Corrosion at the slip can also be a
factor. Zincs will have to be replaced more often. The I/O exterior will
not remain in pristine condition.
======================================

Positives:

No more hassles at the boat ramps.

No more damage to the boat due to trailering.

Lower gasoline costs as you no longer have to haul the boat around with your
truck or SUV.

Being able to enjoy time at the marina before and after the trip.

Being able to take the boat out on your own.
=======================================

For me the positives outweigh the negatives.

On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 23:04:29 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

What problems and extra maintenance will come up because of keeping the boat
in the water versus on the trailer?

Fresh water I assume? Very few issues as long as the docks are
sheltered from wind and waves, and security is good.

On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 01:34:52 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

Yes, sorry, I should have stated fresh water. Does that change your details
at all (Jim)?

No, fresh water is easier since you don't need bottom paint and there
are fewer concerns with corrosion.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 23:04:29 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

What problems and extra maintenance will come up because of keeping the
boat
in the water versus on the trailer?

Fresh water I assume? Very few issues as long as the docks are
sheltered from wind and waves, and security is good.


Yes, sorry, I should have stated fresh water. Does that change your details
at all (Jim)?

"Bryan" wrote in message
m...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 23:04:29 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

What problems and extra maintenance will come up because of keeping the
boat
in the water versus on the trailer?

Fresh water I assume? Very few issues as long as the docks are
sheltered from wind and waves, and security is good.


Yes, sorry, I should have stated fresh water. Does that change your
details at all (Jim)?


No. The conditions I described are encountered in both fresh and salt
water, with salt water being less forgiving on the I/O's.

If you are docking in freshwater, make sure you use magnesium sacrificial
anodes vs. zinc though.

Thanks!


" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Bryan" wrote in message
m...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 23:04:29 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

What problems and extra maintenance will come up because of keeping the
boat
in the water versus on the trailer?

Fresh water I assume? Very few issues as long as the docks are
sheltered from wind and waves, and security is good.


Yes, sorry, I should have stated fresh water. Does that change your
details at all (Jim)?


No. The conditions I described are encountered in both fresh and salt
water, with salt water being less forgiving on the I/O's.

If you are docking in freshwater, make sure you use magnesium sacrificial
anodes vs. zinc though.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 01:34:52 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

Yes, sorry, I should have stated fresh water. Does that change your details
at all (Jim)?

No, fresh water is easier since you don't need bottom paint and there
are fewer concerns with corrosion.

I have to disagree, even though you won't have barnacles in fresh water,
you still need a bottom paint or your boat will look like a putting
green that needs to be moved if you don't have bottom paint. A good
epoxy barrier coat will save you from blisters. In some fresh water
areas they do have problems with Zebra Oysters, which bottom paint will
minimize any problems. You will still need to flush the engine and
outdrive on a regular basis.

--
Reggie

"That's my story and I am sticking to it."

You still have to bottom paint a boat kept in fresh water. Corrosion
also remains a potential problem, but certainly less than in salt
water.

Harry Krause wrote:
JimH wrote:

You still have to bottom paint a boat kept in fresh water. Corrosion
also remains a potential problem, but certainly less than in salt
water.



I don't see any advantage to keeping a reasonably sized trailer boat in
the water if you have a convenient, well-run boat ramp available.


For sure. That's my plan. Trouble is...it's hard to find a club that's
reasonably priced with good ramp facilities here. The vast majority of
the sailors have their sailboats at slips or on moorings.
One exception on the harbour would be a military base that has a yacht club.