Non trailerable boat launching/maintenance

[Joe Ernst]

My wife and I are getting a new boat (Hunter 320) delivered to Kansas this spring, and I'd really appreciate some opinions on a few questions. Up til now we've had a trailerable boat (H23.5) that we took in & out ourselves, and stored it on the trailer in the winter. Since we can't do that now:1. What do I need to do/watch out for when my marina is launching/taking out my boat?2. How many folks leave their boats in the water during the winter? Is that recommended or not?3. Do most folks have cradles to use in the winter, or jack stands? 4. How often do you bottom paint? Do you do it yourself or hire it done? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Mulf]

I went from a 22' trailerable to a H 29.5....

1. You should be able to tell if your marina knows what they are doing by the number of sailboats they haul each year and what the yard looks like with them all hauled. If it looks professional, you can breathe easy. You should be able to find this out by talking to others in your marina. If not, maybe you want to find a yard that is to haul and store your boat.2. In the northeast, most sailboats of your/my size get hauled for the winter.3. The 100+ sailboats hauled in my marina are all on jackstands - they used 6 on my 29.5, in addition to the large block of wood under the keel. 4. I have the bottom paint done every year, and that seems to be the rule here.

 

[Jeff]

Familiar Lake

Congratulations on your new boat. In response to your questions I have the following recommendations:What to look for at Lake Perry: I would go with either Lake Perry Marina or DJs. They both know what they are doing. Personally, I had a poor experience with the third option which will go unnamed. However, most of the Yacht Club seems to go with the third option based upon cost. A lot of people have a strong bias against DJ for whatever reason but the maintenance part of the business is leased out to another entity and they perform good work, but as in most cases, they are usually backed up. Leaving boats in the water is becoming more popular and dependent on the winter, you can get a longer season. Last year was great, this year winter came early. It is about a wash dollar wise, but again you are taking a risk by leaving a boat in if the electric goes off. Since it is a new boat, I would probably would plan to haul it the first couple of years to make sure there aren't any blisters or other warranty issues that may need to be addressed.Most of the boats are on cradles. Rarely see jack stands since the winds can get so fierce in the winter and spring.Bottom paint is individual preference. Ablative multi season if you are taking it out. With two coats you should get 3 years. Fiberglass Bottomkote if you leave it in. Will also last 3 years. A lot of people use VC 17 and touch up each year after a power wash. That can be done fairly cheaply.Remember you only get mild slime on this lake so you don't have to go crazy on bottom paint. By the way I have heard from numerous people that black seems to perform better.If it was my boat, I would work with your dealer and let them paint the bottom as part of the commissioning as well as a barrier coat if you are going that route.It is good to throw a little business at whichever marina you intend to use for repairs such as launching , mast stepping, bottom painting etc. It doesn't hurt to bond with your maintenance personnel. You may get priority treatment when you really need it on that long Holiday weekend and you have a boat full of guests and the engine won't start.I wish you much enjoyment. I am sure you will enjoy the boat.By the way, this is one person's opinion and no doubt the number of differnt opinions will be a direct correlation to the number of people asked.

 

[Colin]

Watch the knotmeter

Sounds obvious but watch where the straps go in relation to your knot meter impeller as they break very easily. At the lift in, get on board early and deffinately before they let her float to check for leaks, all too easy for someone to have left a through hull hose loose. I get on my boat before it even hits the water.