Leaving Boat in Water vs Dry Storage?

[wareagle1]

Hello everyone. 1st post.

Just bought a 2004 Sea Ray 185 Sport 4.3L I/O that is in mint condition. Only about 75 hrs and has been garage kept. Never left in the water more then a 4th of July weekend.

My question is this. I am about 45 minutes from the water (fresh) and trying to decide to launch and pull back to dry storage everytime I use it or put it in the water and leave for the summer months.

I know that I will get the bottom stained which I can get off with some cleaner of some sort. However, what about the drive unit? How much wear and tear does it put on the unit to leave it in the water? Will I ruin the boot?

I hate to put what I think will be more wear on the boat in 1 season than has been put in in in 6 plus years. But I also want to enjoy the boat and not spend all of my time loading and unloading and fighting the crowd.

Sorry for the long drawn out question, but I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

 

[northern]

My parents left their boats in the water all summer in fresh water and so did thousands of others. They seemed to work fine and were put away for the winter with care to work again the following summer. Do not think I wouldleave a small boat in salt water all summer.

 

[1956olds]

Mabey rack and store is a solution,inside or out .You wont have to trailer ,it costs about the same as in water ,and if its outside then you just snap the cover on when your done,inside park it and hand them the key.

 

[Whitenights]

How about a hydrohoist lift? Best way to keep a boat ready and "in" the water.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

Having done both, trailer and dry stack I would say dry stack is the way to go if that area is where you want to boat. Call ahead and your boat is placed in the water and waiting on you. Since your in fresh water a quick hose down and your done and the marina puts it back up.

Best regards

 

[JerryS]

Dry Stack!
If you do choose dry stack, keep a full cover on the boat. Diesel fumes from the forklifts accumulate on the boats in the stacks..
Your boat is six years old, keep an eye on the bellows. They dry out and rot quicker with a boat that is out of the water most of the time.

 

[IntrepidSB]

I am in a similar situation - I have an '05 200 Sundeck I bought 3 years ago w/ 24 hours on the clock and have dry stacked. The boat looked brand new then and still looks the same now. Its pretty convenient to walk up, go boating, and put your toy back on the shelf when done. Only downside is things get interesting in the return basin if the lift operator is behind.