Dock or Trailer

[KennyKenCan]

OK,<br /><br />We now know where most of us boat now thanks to LadyFish's thread on "Port of Call", but how many of us actually keep our boats in the water during the boating season in their particular region, and how many of us trailer their boats regularly during the season.<br /><br />Also, give us the particular reason why you either trailer or dock or moor your boat.<br /><br />I, myself keep my boat in the water because it would take at least 45 minutes to get the boat to the ramp and in the water, and then another 45 minutes to take it out.<br /><br />I don't get home from work until about 7PM most days, so it wouldn't leave much time to boat after work, and I use my boat daily, even if it's just a little R&R.<br /><br />With the boat in the water, and the marina just down the road, from the time I decide to go out on her, to the time I leave the dock, would take a total of about 7 minutes.<br /><br />7 minutes sure beats 45 minutes!<br /><br />So, what do you do, Dock or Trailer?

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Trailer unless I am staying at the parents house for an extended stay then in the water. But no more than a week or two. <br /><br />I have some nice lakes and the Delaware river around my house so it makes more sense for me to keep it on a trailer.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Tailer....either the StarCraft or the toon. I can be in the water within 15 of leaving the house. So it don't make sense for me to dock.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dock or Trailer

I put my in and leave it for the most part. If it was smaller and easier to tow, that is the route that I would take. Hopefully this year with having a bigger tow vehicle, I will be able to check out some other lakes. It is more of a hassle to load it than unload.<br /><br />Good Topic

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Dock or Trailer

I trailer mine everytime. I like havin my boat at home so I can tinker with it.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Dock or Trailer

I use my boats mostly in a small river for fishing and there is no dock. so my answer is trailer.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Always trailer, I am on too many lakes and ponds to call just one my home lake.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Since I lucked out and found a decent house with a dock on the water for a reasonable cost, I leave it in the water. The upside is I can go out whenever I want, the downside is if I need to fix something major, I have to either get help or dive the rig/trailer to the ramp which is a few miles away, ride my bike back, then cruise the boat to the ramp. A bit of a pain, but it is worth it. Prior to this house, I trailered to the ramp and tried to do my thing and be back out of the water before the craziness begins. You know how fun ramps can be in the summer...

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Trailer,<br /><br />Launching my 25ft takes no more time than the 17. To get a slip on Lake Geneva would require a large inheritance and knowing someone on the inside. <br /><br />I like the flexability to work on and go to whatever lake I like on a moments notice. Lake Michigan, Winnebago, Mississippi River, Chain o' lakes are all within an hour and a half drive.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Dock or Trailer

since I only have a 16' bowrider now and the<br />ramps around here are NEVER busy, I trailer.<br />hoping to upgrade to a 19-22' here soon and that<br />will be docked at point breeze all season.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Dock or Trailer

We are lucky enough to have it docked in a slip under the house. The boat ramp is just a couple streets over when we need to pull her out of the water.

 

[salty87]

Re: Dock or Trailer

trailer<br /><br />i bought my boat without a trailer and quickly decided that on-water gas prices are outrageous, and lugging 40 gallons of gas in cans is not fun. the savings in gas paid for the trailer. at about $1/gallon markup, the trailer was essentially free after 3 years.<br /><br />then, i made friends with a neighbor and he let's me use his slip w/lift whenever nobody else is. so, i'm carrying gas in cans again or i'll pull the boat and trailer it up to save the shoulders.

 

[rwise]

Re: Dock or Trailer

So many lakes so little time, Trailer!

 

[neumanns]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Trailered...slips around here run $800+ a season not to mention the nearest ramps are much closer than the nearest slips. I do ocasionally leave it various places but usually just bring it with me, It is so easy that it has become second nature.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Even though my boat (28' Formula) is really too big to trailer, I trailer it Because:<br /><br />* I still work on it on a regular basis so it is nice to have it here<br /><br />* I am about 7 - 10 Mi back roads from a brand new world class ramp so launching isn't too bad<br /><br />* I hate the idea of the boat sitting in salt<br /><br />* Slips are very expensive, very cramped and very hard to come by here.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Trailer.<br />Even if it takes me 45 minutes to get there and launched, it's time well spent. I take the time it takes to drive to the lake contemplating how to ready the boat for launch, working out the whole launch game-plan out in my head long before I arrive. Plans can easily be adapted versus having no plan at all until the time it's needed.<br /><br />And SS, if you decide to bring yours down for the Ohio Roundo, I'll be more than happy to help you load and/or launch! My friend & I do it all the time...

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Dock or Trailer

I have had mine at a dock for the last three years.Have been debating if I should trailer it again Does not take tht long only 10 minutes from a very nice ramp. The draw back of the ramp is the weekends take to much time to launch too many people.<br />At the dock you just have to start the boat and go. Only draw back is cost $4,000 for 180days.

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Dock or Trailer

Fly Rod,<br /><br />$4000 for the season????<br /><br />What kind of boat do you have???<br /><br />The Queen Mary 2 ????

 

[butlp]

Re: Dock or Trailer

I keep the boats in the water through the summer when we are at the lake, ski boat, pontoon, 14' and kids paddle boat. Trailering the pontoon twice a year from my place to the slip and back is enough to scare the heck out of me and it's only a couple of miles.<br />I built a 24' x 24' boathouse and 40' floating dock so the good boats are covered when not in use. My biggest complaint is the green scum that builds up on the bottom and my next boat is going to have a dark hull below the water line.<br />I used to carry all my gas down to the boats in cans but the local marina is under new ownership and I like to support him so he will stay in business.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Dock or Trailer

That's the rates here Kenny. Lot's of boats and too few slips...