Newbie Question-Boat Storage & Bottom Paint

[Starboard 6]

I do not have waterfront property, so I have three options for storage: Dry Inside, Dry Outside, & Wet Slip.

Dry inside is too expensive for me right now. The wet slip and dry outside storage are about the same price. The wet slip would provide tons of convenience, but more maintenance and cleaning.

Now for the newbie part of the question. The boat I just bought is the standard gel coat Arctic White hull. Do I need to do anything else to the boat (bottom paint?) if I decide to keep it in a wet slip for the season?

Are their major issues with keeping it in dry storage outside?

Sorry for the dumb questions!!!

Tom

 

[KHARRIMAN]

If I were you I'd lean toward the DRY outside....
There are LESS issues and then you have access to other drydock maintenance. (Mine's on a trailer... I figure drydock is about the same?)
Save your anodes..and bottom.
If you keep it in the water I'd REALLY consider bottom paint. There is a reason all the big boats have it.

 

[Rono007]

The wet slip and dry outside storage are about the same price. The wet slip would provide tons of convenience, but more maintenance and cleaning.

I think you just answered your own question. Wet is more maintenance and cleaning, and therefore more expensive.

Dry is cheaper and will be easier on your boat in the long run.

 

[Starboard 6]

Ron- The question was do I need to add bottom paint if it is kept in a wet slip. The rest was just the statement leading up to the "newbie" question.

 

[Rono007]

I really should learn how to read. :grin:

 

[Starboard 6]

How much does it cost to have the dealer or my marina add the bottom paint to a new boat (280)? Would one be better than the other?

 

[bushway9172]

We started in rack storage, and found having the boat in a slip (in the water) is much more suiting for our needs. Very convenient, and we love not have to make our outings based on the marina's schedule (for hauling it in/out of the water). It's much more relaxing for us to be able to just step on the boat and go.

If it's kept in the water, it needs bottom paint. Yes, more maintenance, but the convenience and accessibility is great. Good luck!

 

[Starboard 6]

Bushway- Thanks for the feedback! I think that is what we have decided for the same reasons. We are looking forward to meeting people and the social aspects of the marina as well. I think the wet slip will give us a much more social environment.

Do you know how much having the bottom paint done runs?

 

[Rono007]

If it's kept in the water, it needs bottom paint. Yes, more maintenance, but the convenience and accessibility is great. Good luck!

Are you slipped in salt or fresh? I ask because we are NOT doing bottom paint, but we are slipping in fresh. Most of our friends do not bottom paint in our lake.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Yes - bottom paint it - make sure the new boat is PROPERLY PREPPED - and all mold release residue is removed from the bottom of the boat - don't assume whomever you hire will do this MAKE SURE - also, the stock paint searay uses is Pettit Hydracoat - I have had very good luck with it - choose a brand/type and stick with it - it is an abblative paint (wears off with boat use) most people recoat every year but you can get 2 years out of it - after the inital painting (proper prep and boat must be floated to mark waterline) this is easy to DIY - no sanding necessary

 

[temptress]

I asked the same question when we bought our 270 sundancer. I think the benifits of hving a wet slip depend on the available ammenities at your marina. for example at my home port South Shore Harbour, in Clear Lake, Texas. the Marina has floating docks, bathroom and showers, laundry, pool, water and shorepower, you can keep grills at your slip and fuel and pumpout service are onsite. We probably spend more time just hanging out in the slip than we do out on the water! It is like a floating condo! To us this is worth the extra expense of bottom paint and zinks every few years. However in other marinas the ammenaties are more spartin and the atmospher is more like a parking lot than a community, so in this location dry storage would make more since. if you find the right marina, the extra maintenance cost would be made up in gas savings!

 

[HUMPH]

Are you slipped in salt or fresh? I ask because we are NOT doing bottom paint, but we are slipping in fresh. Most of our friends do not bottom paint in our lake.

It is not as critical when you are in a fresh water lake to bottom paint. If you use the boat often you are probably OK but bottom paint should be considered on any boat wet slipped. I would use pillow lifts or something for a boat of your size. No need for paint then!

BTW, remember if you wet slip outdives in salt water be ready for a load of maintenance and cost!

 

[bushway9172]

Are you slipped in salt or fresh? I ask because we are NOT doing bottom paint, but we are slipping in fresh. Most of our friends do not bottom paint in our lake.

Saltwater. Sorry not to initially clarify. Not sure of the protocols in freshwater, but I've heard it can still be beneficial. Not my expertise though. :thumbsup:

 

[CKL]

If the boat is kept in the water then bottom paint is a necessity. Unless you are able to keep the boat on a lift (I do) - then bottom paint is not necessary and your outdrives are out of the water (reducing their deterioration and associated maintenance expense).

 

[Starboard 6]

Thanks for all the feedback...sorry I did not answer the salt question. Slammed at work! We are in the Chesapeake Bay (salt). Like many of the suggestions, we have decided to go with the bottom paint and wet slip. The marina is very social with great amenities. Looking forward to getting on the boat! I am taking delivery end of March... will try to get some pictures posted soon. It is still at the dealer. I am getting a few items added, bottom paint, etc. Just need the weather to break!!!

 

[bushway9172]

Thanks for all the feedback...sorry I did not answer the salt question. Slammed at work! We are in the Chesapeake Bay (salt). Like many of the suggestions, we have decided to go with the bottom paint and wet slip. The marina is very social with great amenities. Looking forward to getting on the boat! I am taking delivery end of March... will try to get some pictures posted soon. It is still at the dealer. I am getting a few items added, bottom paint, etc. Just need the weather to break!!!

Great choice. Good luck with everything... counting down the days until our (hopefully) April 1 launch. :thumbsup:

 

[jffacets]

don't overlook the importance of barrier coat, no I don't sell paint.......