Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

[ironhill]

Okay so hopefully my first post here in the forums doesn't come across as being too dense of a question.

I have been around small boats early in my life and sporadically since.

I am getting a fish/ski model and will be looking at renting a slip at the local Marina.

Pricing for the slips are either for a one with water and electricity or no services.

Now I know the serviced slips are primarily for boats with onboard accomodations which mine obviously doesn't have.

However the cost is not that much different between the two and if there are avantages/conveniences to having direct access to electricity and water for non-inhabited craft.

I was thinking along the lines of being able to keep the batteries fully charged without removing them, hosing off the boat etc.

Be gentle in sharing your wisdom and experience folks................

 

[hostage]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

I store my boat across the street and buy the seasonal launch pass. Cost very little. I was looking at either slipping or doing what I am now.

Boats won't sink on land. If you have power to the boat the bilge pump "should" come on for rain water and any leaks.

Other than that, if my battery goes dead, my marina has a battery charger/starter. I have used that, though to fix the main problem is make sure you replace your battery when it needs it. I think I was at 70CCA instead of the 700CCA, which the battery was rated.

You should be fine w/o power, just make sure you check on the boat every so often w/ or w/o the power option. IMHO I still prefer dry like dry slips, but it may not be an option for most people.

-Hostage

 

[swift1]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

Welcome aboard ironhill!
I have an 18 foot bowrider that I keep at an unserviced slip, so I was trying to think if there were any occasions when power & water would have been handy. For me I don?t think I?d make that much use of it, but if it?s only a small cost difference, why not? Perhaps a battery charger in case your battery ever dies. (which mine did once when my auto bilge got stuck open). Maybe a power washer but you obviously couldn?t get below the water line. A small vacuum or carpet cleaner for your carpets? A portable tv & fridge for spending the day at the slip watching sports?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

If you're determined to slip 'er and the cost is negligible the powered slip is the way to go. Not only can you leave an onboard charger connected, thereby making your life easier and prolonging the lifespan of your batteries, you can also run a shop vac and other maintenance and cleanup tools that require VAC.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

A portable tv & fridge for spending the day at the slip watching sports?

Are you married? If so, this could become a very important consideration. Forgot to say welcome aboard, so welcome aboard!

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

In 5 years of keeping my boat on a slip without electric hookup, I can't say as I've ever missed it. I don't have a TV on the boat, just the built in stereo, which uses 12VDC. So far the battery has kept it's charge- but they have a boost pack available. They do provide a fresh water community hose that reaches all the boats.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

Boats won't sink on land. If you have power to the boat the bilge pump "should" come on for rain water and any leaks.

This is my concern about a wet slip too. It has the ease of dropping by after work and more or less being ready to go but.................

A portable tv & fridge for spending the day at the slip watching sports?

Are you married? If so, this could become a very important consideration. Forgot to say welcome aboard, so welcome aboard!

I wouldn't be for long if I did that too many times!

I am not necessarily decided on my dockage/launch/storage arrangements - I am at the research stage of my options.

Thanks for the welcome and all the prompt replies!

 

[hostage]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

This is my concern about a wet slip too. It has the ease of dropping by after work and more or less being ready to go but.................

The Dry slip is very easy for me, drive across the street where I pay $40/month to store the boat hitch it drop it in the water. It takes me as much time to launch my boat as some people with a slip. Being able to toss stuff from the SUV into the Boat in seconds, instead of carting/carrying stuff down the long dock. Also keep in mind that your boat does accumulate a lot of growth from sitting in the water all season, which doesn't happen if you take it out. You also don't have the birds crapping all over your boat.

It takes me about ~15 minutes and I do go there after work a lot w/ the g/f.

The only reason I would do a wet slip over what I am doing right now is to be more social and/or just wanting to relax on the dock instead of going out. We might do this in the future, but for now it is fine.

Also, sorry forgot to say, "welcome aboard!".

-Hostage

p.s. - keep in mind I have to have a vehicle that can tow and it has to be properly equipped with a towing package to safely tow.

 

[bsktball55]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

You said you were looking at a fish-n-ski boat. If you are going to slip it you will want power to charge your trolling motor batteries. We charge ours every night when we use the trolling motor and it would be a huge hassle to have to disconnect and carry 2 or 3 deep cycle batteries home with you to charge.

 

[DianneB]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

This was my first year with a cabin cruiser and I was considering a serviced slip for next year but ....

I got around the pump/battery issue with a solar charger (for $200) and that works even if I am camping on an island.

When I look at serviced slips, there number is limited in my marina so there are some larger houseboats and cruisers that could benefit from a powered slip even more than me so I wouldn't feel right in muscling in ahead of them considering I get by just fine with my solar charger.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Newbie Alert - Boat Slip Rental Question

Being the owner of a bass boat i like the power hookup slips for battery charging. I also like the fact that they are usually the closest slips in and that means more people to look after your boat when your not around. I get to know the people around me so we know who belongs and who do not.