Opinions? Trailer or moor my boat?

[ddeand]

As a new boat owner, I'm wondering what the consensus/experience is of you veterans regarding mooring or trailering your boat to sail it. I have a Hunter 18, and it will be used by a number of different family members. I can apply for a lottery system for a buoy on one of the city lakes here in Minneapolis, or I can keep the boat in my garage. My wife and I will also probably be taking lessons through one of the city lakes sailing clubs. The boat would likely get more use if it were moored, but it would be easier to get to different lakes if it were kept in the garage.

What experiences do some of you have with this choice?

Thanks,
Dean

 

[shemandr]

I agree you'll use it more if its on the mooring. I used to trailer a boat to sail but I have to admit the setup and breakdown was a PITA. Sometimes I would do that and the wind would die.
Do you have a place to park, keep a dink and a dink to get to the mooring?
You can always bring the boat in, haul it and drive to another lake if you really want to.

 

[mkjohnson]

You may look into dry storage (sitting on the trailer) at a marina where you can leave the mast set up. I have done this in the past and it is quick and easy and much cheaper than having it left in the water, but more convenient then having to set up the boat every time you use it. Another nice part of having the boat on the trailer is that they aren't sitting in the water getting beat up by waves and bottoms getting dirty.

 

[Bostonian]

I think the dry storage (mast-up) or mooring arrangements will make it easier to use the boat at your convenience. It does take extra time and there is a learning curve for what works well and how you launch your boat. This can be beneficial in your overall knowledge of the boat, but it also takes away from your time on the water. If you stored or moored the boat, you can always trailer it to a new spot if that's what you choose to do.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

As mentioned, if it is convenient, you will use the boat more. As for leaving the mast up and on the trailer, there are two places in your neck of the woods where you can do that. Both on the St. Croix. One at Windmill marina in AFton and the other at the Beach House Marina in Bayport. Remember you can also always pull your boat off your mooring if you want to take it to another body of water for a long weekend anyway. But, if it is close to your home, which I assume one of the Mpls city lakes is, and many family members want to use it, the mooring idea is best, I think. You just row to your boat (or swim to it) and then go sailing

 

[ddeand]

Well, I just got back from the buoy lottery - pretty interesting procedure. Out of 180 possible buoys, my name was selected 180th. So, I guess I'm mooring the boat this season.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

Dean

 

[esterhazyinoz]

Now that your 1st season storage decision is made, make sure you clean your hull well when the sailing season ends (more often if you ever sail competitively) and that you take it out of the water for winter storage.
I am less than 5 minutes from my launching site on our river and the set up and launch (takes 15ish minutes) seems to be no more of a PITA than I remember having to go through when I had my last boat on a mooring and also not having to perform anywhere near the level of hull maintenance.
After 2 seasons on the mooring and the expense of having the boats' (similar to a H212) hull antifouled every year, I bought an old trailer to use as a jinker and kept the boat, mast up, at my local sailing club. The added benefit was that I loved the sailing club. The friendship and support as a newbie, especially to racing, that I received was well worth the cost of membership and storage fees. Also I hated dragging my dingy to the water and ferrying all the stuff and people to the boat. Also many of my friends hated jumping from one boat to another. The next time I want to keep any boat I own in the water (yes, much more convenient) I'll put it in a slip.
Happy sailing for what sounds like your first season as a boat owner.

Cheers from 'down under'.

 

[BlueRunner]

I keep my 170 on a buoy in front of the house. IF I had a spot that allowed dry storage with the mast up, I would probably go that route as my boat gets what the locals call "Lake Sammamish Scum" which mainly discolors the white bottom with a brownish tinge which will NOT come off with just elbow grease. I have to get a hull cleaner that sprays and then washes the scum away. I've tried some before launching for the season treatments, but so far had not found one that effective. I'm a tad leery of spraying this hull cleaner on my 170, but so far have not noted any problems with it.

I spray it on. About 30 seconds later the scums starts to "run" and then I quickly hose it off.

I would recommend getting a flat hulled dingy for transferring to the 170 while it is moored. My previous rowing dingy "spun" out once when I was trying to step from it to my 170 (which also gave my cell phone a short swimming experience. Now I transfer ANY electronic gear to my 170 before stepping aboard even though my new dingy is very stable.