Boat Slip Experiences?

[hoppas]

Hey everyone, just wondering about your thoughts on keeping our boats in a slip at a marina. My marina just called and said a slip with a lift had opened up for next season. Has anyone had any problems with mold/mildew, etc.? I can't see any way to guarantee my boat dries out completely before I have to put the cover back on and head for home.

Any thoughts or opinions are great appreciated!

[mcd]

Keeping it dry is going to be a problem. Try to leave the seats open. Even under the cover they will get some ventilation. Do you have any vents in your cover? Also take all wet gear home with you, as well as anything of value.

[chpthril]

Are the covered Slips?

[Eastern shore wake]

Hi, I had a boat in a slip for 3 years. It was on the upper Chesapeake Bay (more fresh than salt water). Was not a Tige but similar...25 ft Four Winns. I did not have any moisture issues or problems and really liked the convenience. Think the key is making sure you have a good cover that fits well and breathes a bit to let things dry out. I had a sunbrella cover on the Four Winns and it worked great. I had a new cover done when I got the Tige as I didn't think the "sharkskin" cover it came with "breathed" enough.

I would still have a slip but my wife convinced me to buy a house down on the bay (which has been great) and I had to give up the marina life (we keep the Tige on it's trailer in the backyard of our vacation house). Now, I have to trailer it to the launch ramp, etc. Anyway, would suggest a slip and think you will be fine as long as you have the right cover.

hope this helps.

[balair]

What do you mean by 'slip?' do you just drive your boat into it and park it leaving it in the water all summer or will it be in a lift bringing it up out of the water?

[hoppas]

Yeah, covered slips. Once on the lift it will get a few hours of Kansas afternoon sun on the transom. The cover goes completely over the swim platform so the teak should stay decent.

I saw some solar powered cover fans somewhere on-line once that I would probably get sewn into the top of the cover.

The lakes around here are pretty much mud lakes, so I'll still be wiping it down, etc. after every time out.

The point of the slip would be convenience for those after-work trips. It definitely costs more money and risks more for the boat. There's no way I can take all my gear out every trip. The marina isn't open all night and has no security so that's definitely a concern. I'd hate to add up the cost for stolen amps, rubicons, boards, skis, etc. Ugh. Then again, the dry storage I use has been broken into before too.

[balair]

it's definately more convenient. Our boats sit our in front of our house all summer long and we never really have a problem. The only thing i worry about it moisture. I sometimes have to leavt the cover off for a few days after a trip our to dry it out, and sometimes i forget to put it back on before a huge thunder boomer comes through. oops

[chpthril]

From time to time during the Summer, I will leave my boat in a covered slip at my dealer's marina. I typically left it uncovered to dry. The only issue here with leaving them open is the spiders. They will move in over night and take over your boat.

It's definitely nice to have a slip.

[ktmrider1]

I'm keeping our 21V in a lift slip but its in front of our condo, so I can leave the cover off to dry out after use. The convenience is great and you will find you use the boat more often.

[jwanck11]

Hi, I had a boat in a slip for 3 years. It was on the upper Chesapeake Bay (more fresh than salt water). Was not a Tige but similar...25 ft Four Winns. I did not have any moisture issues or problems and really liked the convenience. Think the key is making sure you have a good cover that fits well and breathes a bit to let things dry out. I had a sunbrella cover on the Four Winns and it worked great. I had a new cover done when I got the Tige as I didn't think the "sharkskin" cover it came with "breathed" enough.

I would still have a slip but my wife convinced me to buy a house down on the bay (which has been great) and I had to give up the marina life (we keep the Tige on it's trailer in the backyard of our vacation house). Now, I have to trailer it to the launch ramp, etc. Anyway, would suggest a slip and think you will be fine as long as you have the right cover.

hope this helps.

PM sent

[bk3104]

Ours sits on a lift in our dock year round. After 2 years no issues with mildew etc. Dock is covered and boat has it's cover as well that's on when not in use.

[jmstige]

The only issue here with leaving them open is the spiders. They will move in over night and take over your boat.

It's definitely nice to have a slip.

Spiders are a big problem for us as well here in TX. If the boat is wet, we just leave the cover off, but then we get to spend time cleaning spider sh*t off the seats the next time. Nasty black spots that sometimes take a little elbow grease to remove.

But the spider sh*t is a small price to pay for the convience of being able to go to the marina, lower the boat, and be ready to roll in ~5 mins. Coming off the lake is a joy also - we just drive by the ramp and look at the lines of people waiting to pull their boat out.

It sure isnt cheap, but it's worth it...

[dogbert]

You can get your dock treated for spiders. There's some sort of automated control system for that. I'll see if I can find some info on it from a neighbor that has it.

[balair]

You can get your dock treated for spiders. There's some sort of automated control system for that. I'll see if I can find some info on it from a neighbor that has it.

you for sure NEED to have the Orkin man come and spray your hoist for spiders. If not those little bastards will build webs in .2 seconds. seriously they are crazy. Before the guy comes in the spring our tige looks like it has been sitting for months, the day after we clean all the webs out!!

[chadster2]

when I had my houseboat, I found small bits of rust that would fall all over everything.
keeping it clean is a pain but it was nice to be in the water.
I'm not sure about every where else in the world but my dock
had it's share of drunks. not good for kids.