Regular Maintance

[Purecarnagge]

If your storing your boat covered or in a slip covered. What is the resonable expectation for a I/O for regular maintance.

1. Regular, every trip wipe down, what would this all entail, include?
2. When do you need to pull it out to wipe down the bottom?
3. What do you do when storing outside but covered to make sure its not leaking when it rains, and to prevent the boat from suffering from Rot and waterlogged?
4. Also, what is expected for regular wear/tear preventative maintance?

Back history, I'm starting to look at boats, do not own one, but want to learn more about expectations.

I'm debating between slip storage, in/out service.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Regular Maintance

complete go over every year,change all fluids every year,tune up every year, check all fluids and general inspection before every use.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Regular Maintance

complete go over every year,change all fluids every year,tune up every year, check all fluids and general inspection before every use.

I believe that is covered with spring startups and winterization every year is it not? I was thinking more of mid season stuff, things of that nature, and mainly when the hull would need to be cleaned down.

Obviously if its in slip storage the bottom is going to get scummy...

 

[Beefer]

Re: Regular Maintance

If you keep it in a wet slip, yes it would get slimy. You have to paint the bottom with anti-fouling paint to avoid this. Just picked up bottom paint at west marine (would have rather bought from iBoats, but it ships as hazardous material) for $160.

I prefer keeping the boat in water, or in a slip (other boat is on davits, out of the water) over trailering because a) I don't want to have to buy a vehicle to trailer with, we like our cars b) no ramp headaches c) I use it more then if I trailered it.

There is additional maintenance required if kept in the water, and you have to determine if it's worth it for you. I think so many of the trailered boats end up being lawn ornaments because of lack of use. When it's in the water, you have to at least check on it periodically, so might as well take it out when you check it. To me, the lack of the ramp hassle, and I don't care what anyone says, it's a hassle, is worth the money. The best was a high 'n dry, but the monthly fees doubled, and I found a dock for $100/mo less then 3/4 mile from my house, right on the ICW. High n dry gives the benefits of both, without the negative aspects of either. Only downside is accessibility is restricted to the marina's operating hours.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Regular Maintance

what is the process for applying the anti fouling paint?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Regular Maintance

Your question is like asking, how often should you wash, wax and vacuum your car? A lot of what you describe is cosmetic maintenance; maintaining the bottom is a specialty determined by your location, and maintaining the mechanics (like asking about car motor/trans maintenance) is a question with an impossible range of answers.
For one thing, some people enjoy spending a lot of their free time keeping the boat looking brand new; others don't mind if it ages gracefully. Aren't car owners like that?

Some boats require a lot of cosmetic maintenance based on how they are built, and their materials. Because you can't compare carpet and upholstery with fiberglass and stainless, you can't get an answer to your question. And no one talks about the wooden boats any more, or boats with a lot of wood trim--that's a whole new ball game.
And then there is the more important: mechanical maintenance. To know what it takes, you have to first answer the question of whether you are going to do it yourself or take it to the shop--do you want a time estimate or a dollar estimate?

And finally: you use the same process to wash a school bus as a VW. But you can't answer the question, what does it take to wash a vehicle, without knowing which is involved.
Preventing rot/waterlog is not a function of keeping a boat dry. It is a function of keeping water from accumulating in the boat. They are obviously made to get wet, and can be expected to catch water; it's up to you to be sure to get it out.

Here's how to get your questions answered: go hang out at the marina, watch what people do with boats like the one you want. Note that some people do nothing and some wax the inside of the hinges. talk to them, and filter the comments. PLus that's more fun than being on the computer.