slip or rack storage - The Hull Truth

tped · 03-01-2006, 10:53 PM

I am currently facing a dilema of either rack storing or in water. Boat is Sea Pro 220CC that has not currently been bottom painted. Price is the same for either rack storage or slip and the marina's are across the street from each other. Rack place has 25 slips for tying up for the weekend/no in-out fees other than seasonal fees. In water is small marina, floating docks but narrow. My boat is 8-6 wide and the one sharing the space is 7-5 with overall tank width of just over 17' making it pretty tight but workable. This would be in salt water near Ocean City, NJ. Thoughts please?

jbigwater · 03-01-2006, 10:58 PM

I am in Rack and really like it - the only downside I have encountered are, you don't get to hang out on your boat after docking, less time for your own maintainence and the boat tends to get dirtier from road dust or from boats above you in the rack. I like to keep my bottom unpainted. The rack works well for me.

Drifter · 03-01-2006, 10:58 PM

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...ighlightmode=1

thataway · 03-01-2006, 11:38 PM

I would go with rack, although most of my boats have been slip or lift stored. With the rack, you will have less corrosion issues, the boat will be washed with fresh water each time. No bottom paint, slightly faster and better resale.

Down side of rack--boat above may drip grease etc on your boat, so you need to cover it. You will not have the social pleasure of a dock...which is where the majority of boats spend their time.

fichtion · 03-02-2006, 05:17 AM

I prefer slip for all above reasons. Plus, if you find yourself with some un expected free time you can just run down to the boat and go out or go do some tinkering w/o having to have it put in and out for just your tinkering. And the hangout thing.

Plus, I am sure that the boat will get more nicks from the hauling and temporary wet storage as opposed ton using the same slip with fenders and lines all pre-set for you.

Afishinado · 03-02-2006, 07:55 AM

Minmar vs Larsens?

baypro21 · 03-02-2006, 08:14 AM

I would always go with rack over slip when the boat is small enough. I recently bought a boat that was rack stored for most of it's life (at least the last 8 years anyway) and the hull is not bottom painted and still looks like new, the outdrive is also in very good shape. This is a 1994 model. The marina that my previous owners used was very good about pulling the boat and putting it on a stand in the yard and allowed them to clean and flush it at their leisure. When they were done they put the cover on and the boat was stored. Your boat will last much longer if you take care of it in a similar manner and store it out of the harse saltwater environment.

ltcavery · 03-02-2006, 10:33 AM

I've done both the dry stack and am now in a slip. I will always stay in a slip from here on out. Here are my thoughts.

Boatel.
Advantages.
1. Out of water.
2. No growth on bottom, no bottom paint required.
3. No reduction in performance due to growth.
4. Normally covered out of sun, no UV damage.
5. Probably more secure (someone can't just walk up and take your electronics).

Disadvantages.
1. Not open 24/7.
2. Can't easily just tinker on the boat. Must ask them to put on a pad.
3. If you come in after closing, you have to tie up to dock and leave overnight.
4. On nice weekends or holidays, there could be no place left to tie up. What do you do if you come in after they close and there is no place left to tie up? This happened to me once I had to go rent a transient slip at a local marina.
5. Limited social ability.

Slip.
Advantages.
1. Is always ready to go when you want to go out, 24/7.
2. You can just hang out on your boat if you want to or just tinker. We often BBQ on boat and just hang out.
3. Your dockmates will become lifelong friends (even more so than your neighbors at your house).
4. We fish from our boat even if we can't take it out due to weather.
5. Did I say it's available 24/7? I leave early, way before boatels open. I often fish at night, long after boatels close.
6. The dock lines are there that fit your slip, just tie up and your done.
7. Slip has water and electricity. Keep heat or AC going and wash off anytime. Your water, your hose, no sharing.
8. Per foot cost is usually less than boatel. Put savings to haulouts.

Disadvantages.
1. Always growing critters on the bottom of your boat.
2. Any metal (outdrive, throughhulls, trimtabs, transducers) are in salt coroding and stuff growing on them. I'm going with outboards to minimize what is in the water full time.
3. Must haul out frequently (or use dive services) to keep hull clean or performance suffers quickly.
4. Security may be issue (depending on marina).
5. Severe weather may be in issue (what is your plan, leave it or move to land).
6. Overall cost (with haulouts and added maintenance) is probably more per year than boatel.
7. Most are not covered, boat always in sun. UV damage can take it's toll. But good wax and covering key areas can mitigate some.