What are the rules surrounding storing a boat in public waters (california)?

[driscollies]

Just wondering if that's allowed on a temporary basis? My trailer is out of commission for about a week and I can save ~$200 by bringing it into the shop without the boat on it. I live near a river, can I just anchor the boat out in the river and tie one end to a tree and keep it on the water for a week? Or anchor it in a public lake?

Or is there some rule that boats always have to be attended in california on public waters?

Looking for any guidance at all.

thanks!

 

[GA_Boater]

The Chieftain?

Leaving the boat in the river probably isn't the best idea if you expect the boat and all the pieces to still be there when you get the trailer fixed.

Where do you store the boat/trailer now. It would be safer to take the boat off the trailer at your storage location. Tin boats are stolen for scrap value.

 

[driscollies]

thanks. not a chieftain, it's just a little 16' fiberglass project I picked up a while back. not much on it that can be stolen, and i'd take the motor and stuff off beforehand. It would basically be a naked glass hull!

I wouldn't even know how to store a boat off the trailer. wouldn't that be bad for it? thanks

 

[GA_Boater]

Taking the boat off the trailer is as easy as tying a rope to a tree and driving off. The hull can sit on the ground with no ill effects

Or put some support under the boat to raise it off the trailer, move the trailer forward and move the supports to clear cross members. In the end the boat is off the trailer on supports.

What is being done to the trailer?

 

[Bikevision]

Look in the parking lot of any marina and you'll see boats off trailers. Small one like that is easy. Crank you trailer jack all the way down, put blocks under the back of the boat, then jack the trailer back up as high as it will go. Now's the tricky part of blocking the front of the boat so that the trailer will still roll out. Lower the jack down until the front is off and roll the trailer out. You may have to work in stages to clear the trailer but it's not hard and can be done pretty quickly.

 

[driscollies]

thanks for the replies. I usually keep it in dry storage but I just called and they require that it's on a trailer, so I have nowhere to put it. I also just called the shop (my axle broke and this shop is fixing it) and they said they just got a car resto in and I can only bring in the trailer...

Any other ideas? Water storage was just my first thought, open to other suggestions. But it's looking like a good option as of now, unless it's illegal or something....

 

[GA_Boater]

Can you replace the axle yourself? Not a hard job.

 

[Sprig]

I'm obviously missing something here. If your trailer has a broken axel how are you going to tow the trailer or trailer and boat anywhere? Second I don't understand why the repair shop wants the boat off the trailer or why they would charge you an additional $200 for the boat being on the trailer. There is no reason to take the boat to off the trailer to put a new axel on. And what does the shop having a car in "resto" have to do with you bringing in your trailer or boat and trailer togethper.
They should be able to put a new axel on your trailer with the boat on in a couple hours. An easy quick job for a pro.
Finally I live in California And I don't know off hand where you could consider anchoring a boat in a river unattended for a couple days other than one of the rivers that are a part of the Delta system like the Sacramento River, San Joaquin river , or one of the others. In any event I wouldn't leave a boat unattended as too many things can happen. It could be vandalized, it could be swept away by current, tide, wind. It also may be considered a navigation hazard especially when anchored over night and no visible lights on it. As far as a public lake most in California are patrolled by county sheriffs dept. they will notice if a boat doesn't move for a day or two and will probably tow the boat and slap a fine on you.
This shop sounds pretty funky. Find a more reputable professional shop. Once the have the parts they can get you in and out in a couple hours.

 

[bruceb58]

It's easy to replace an axle while the boat is still on the trailer.

Think about it...travel trailers have their axles replaced and they aren't dismantling the living quarters box to swap axles!

 

[JoLin]

Maybe make a few phone calls and find a shop that repairs boat trailers. I broke an axle on my way from NY to FL a few years ago. Had Boat Tow US insurance that included the trailer. They sent a truck that flat bedded the whole rig to a retailer that sold and repaired boat trailers. They put the boat in slings and hauled the trailer off to the side. Four hours later I was on my way with a new axle and springs.

I also agree that the axle can be replaced with the boat still on the trailer.

My .02

 

[ezmobee]

That size boat should be able to be pulled of and sat on some old tires pretty easily. That said I agree with everyone else that said you can likely replace your axle yourself. Tractor Supply has nice ready to go ones with hubs and all really really reasonable. Just jack the trailer up and put it on some jack stands.