Moving the Sport to a slip

[BirchyBoy]

I’ve rented a slip for the remainder of this summer (to 10/31/2023) and need to figure out two things:

1. I should upgrade my bilge pump or add a secondary unit. My 185 Sport has a bilge switch, so I may replace the existing pump and go directly to the battery.
2. Since the pump will be automatic, I’ll have to add a small solar charger. I have a 10 watt unit that I’ve used for my RV and may add snaps to my covers for it. I’m not sure if I’ll use just my mooring covers or the full cover that I use in the winter. The full cover is more work but also protects the whole upper area. I may add a solar connector inside the seating area somewhere to make it easier to connect the panel.

Thoughts and advice is appreciated. I am not sure if there is power at the slip. If so, that makes the solar a bit easier

 

[copb8tx]

I assume you're keeping it in the water over an extended period? Is it a covered slip?

I'd definitely have a hardwired automatic bilge pump in place. Best if it has an alarm as well so that it may alert you or a slip neighbor if it's taking on water. If the boat is an IO I'd check the condition of your bellows to ensure this it won't start leaking.

 

[randmhall]

You don't say where you are, fresh or salt water, but marine growth can be a problem. Sometimes within weeks if left in the water.

 

[GypsmJim]

Slip a boat vs. trailer it....

The labor to clean the hull, maintain the battery, buy an expense cover and ensure that it doesn't sink in the rain far outweighs having it home in the garage.

The trouble of covering it up at the slip and taking all the expensive electronics out far outweighs the trouble of launching and retrieving.

The resale value of a sun crusted boat does not even compare to a garage kept one.

The cost of indoor storage vs. a slip is probably a wash.

To me, not even debatable.

 

[techmitch]

Slip a boat vs. trailer it....

The labor to clean the hull, maintain the battery, buy an expense cover and ensure that it doesn't sink in the rain far outweighs having it home in the garage.

The trouble of covering it up at the slip and taking all the expensive electronics out far outweighs the trouble of launching and retrieving.

The resale value of a sun crusted boat does not even compare to a garage kept one.

The cost of indoor storage vs. a slip is probably a wash.

To me, not even debatable.

Well hang on a minute. Maybe the OP is a prime candidate for a high and dry facility/marina where he could experience the best of both worlds.
@BirchyBoy You should complete your info/profile so other members can possibly make local recommendations.

 

[BirchyBoy]

Sorry everyone. It will be at a marina in Cherry Creek reservoir in Denver/Aurora in an uncovered slip. I have mooring covers but I also have a full cover that I intend to use. Not super convenient but it covers the entire top of the boat and I’ll get some of the suction cups to tie it down with.

We trailered it last year but got spoiled when we took it to Blue Mesa reservoir for a week in July and I rented a slip. Since I’m between trucks right now, and it’s too much for the wife’s Wrangler, I’m having to either rent a Uhaul pickup or use the motor home to get it to the lake and then the Wrangler to put it in the water. I will inspect the bellows and make sure all is good. There wasn’t a drop of water in it while at Blue Mesa but it never rained.

I certainly don’t want to “destroy” the boat. It is pretty pristine for being a 2006 with 230 hours.

 

[RaceCarRich]

I’ve wet slipped my 240SD for the last 5-6 years.

- Bilge pump should be wired directly to battery. Mine came that way from the factory.

- A bilge pump would need to run a long time to kill a charged battery or batteries. Rain should not be an issue. A decent sized leak could be but I don’t lose sleep over the possibility and would hope someone would see my boat constantly pumping out water and eventually sitting low before it’s too late… in which case I have insurance.

- I bottom paint the boat to keep off growth. I also try to use it weekly but can’t always. Not using is the worst for growth. On bad barnacle years, I have had it pulled and pressure washed mid-season. Wasn’t too costly as they washed it right on the travel lift.

- I do not cover my boat. I like the concept but not the hassle after a long day on the water and with guests waiting to go home. I do clean/hose/empty garbage etc. before leaving. I try to put 303 on the upholstery every 3 weeks or so which I believe makes the difference. My interior looks fine (much better than boats that aren’t maintained or many non Sea Rays of similar age). I’d say about half the boats at my marina get covered.

- Other than the stereo, my electronics consist of a dash-mounted Garmin that unplugs and comes home in my boating backpack.

I have zero desire to go back to trailering for a number of reasons. Once in a while I even go have a beer or two on the boat and watch the sunset or fireworks or tinker with something and don’t even take it out.

 

[Pirate Lady]

EVERY SINGLE thing you said I totally agree with. Been slipping boats 40 years. Except covering. If i come home too tired to cover, i go back next morning and cover. 91, original upholstery, excellent condition. Fortunately, i live 8 miles from marina.

 

[Espos4]

We’ve got a system.
Once tied up, I unload any bags or coolers onto the dock then I get the hose for flushing.

while my wife loads the car, I can flush the motor and put the covers on. If anyone tries to help it only F#%ks things up.

I can put both covers on in about 7 minutes, shutting down the motor and disconnecting the flush as I work front to back. It may work for some but I never leave it uncovered. The upholstery looks great and I’d like to keep it that way.

 

[WaveDancer01]

Mine is in a covered slip. I always cover it. It keeps the spider poop off.

 

[copb8tx]

Mine is in a covered slip. I always cover it. It keeps the spider poop off. View attachment 147905

Only boaters understand that spiders poop epoxy.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Unless you changed thing around, your boat already has an automatic pump - it's wired to BOTH the dash switch and the battery from the factory... it's a Sea Ray!

You really shouldn't need a maintainer if you're using a cover - the little bit of water that gets in there once in a while isn't anywhere near enough to drain the battery from the VERY occasional pump use. But it certainly can't hurt to put a maintainer on there.

With either cover that you have -- bow/cockpit and full (assuming it's the Sea Ray full mooring cover) -- you can connect to the maintainer and then just push the connection back inside (whether under the cockpit cover or back through the cleat slit in the full cover).

You don't need an additional pump.

 

[BirchyBoy]

Unless you changed thing around, your boat already has an automatic pump - it's wired to BOTH the dash switch and the battery from the factory... it's a Sea Ray!

You really shouldn't need a maintainer if you're using a cover - the little bit of water that gets in there once in a while isn't anywhere near enough to drain the battery from the VERY occasional pump use. But it certainly can't hurt to put a maintainer on there.

With either cover that you have -- bow/cockpit and full (assuming it's the Sea Ray full mooring cover) -- you can connect to the maintainer and then just push the connection back inside (whether under the cockpit cover or back through the cleat slit in the full cover).

You don't need an additional pump.

I’ll have to look at the manual to see if the pump is automatic and manual. It didn’t occur to me that a lowly 185 Sport may have such a fancy system!

 

[Lazy Daze]

I’ll have to look at the manual to see if the pump is automatic and manual. It didn’t occur to me that a lowly 185 Sport may have such a fancy system!

I am positive it would have came with an auto setup. But don't bother with the manual - that doesn't tell you what it has NOW. It may be an entry level Sea Ray... but it's still a SEA RAY!

 

[BirchyBoy]

I put it in the slip today and it does have a float switch. I’m going to test it tomorrow I think. There’s a hose near my slip that I use.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I put it in the slip today and it does have a float switch. I’m going to test it tomorrow I think. There’s a hose near my slip that I use.

Just lift the float by hand - or turn the knob on the side of the case - depending on what style you have. You don't need water.

 

[BirchyBoy]

This is what is there. I’ll try manually triggering it.

 

[BirchyBoy]

The Sport is happy and the wife is happier! I’ve ordered some additional Mission fenders because the marina doesn’t have a lot of protection along the sides.