2006 Sport 185 - Leaving it in fresh water for the summer?

[emilime75]

Hey, all. I find myself in a position where I'm considering renting a slip on Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, TN and leaving my 185 in the water for the entire boating season, which is about 6-7 months long. We'd use it 5-6 times a month during that time.

The main concern I have is damage to the hull below the water line and the possibility of gel coat blisters. Is this a valid concern? What can I do to minimize this risk?

 

[Gofirstclass]

75, do you have the bottom of the hull painted with a good bottom paint? If you do, no problem leaving it in the water. If not, put a barrier coat then a couple of coats of bottom paint on it and you should be good.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I left my 2004 Rinker 270 Fiesta Vee in a local fresh water lake for the long boating season and since I had a trailer I just pulled it out every six weeks and pressure washed the bottom and kept as good a coat of wax as I could. I would also just snorkel and clean the bottom just about every time we were out, Since I would be swimming anyway I took the opportunity too scrub the bottom. in the five years we had it I never had any blister issues or staining that would not clean up.

 

[Chip S]

Your 2006 185 Sport was made with vinylester resin so blisters will not be an issue (see attached spec sheet). Vinylester resin doesn't blister. Blistering occurs with boats made of polyester resin.

As far as growth goes, I'm in fresh water and the growth is minimal. No hard growth, just a little soft growth. I don't bottom paint, I just use a hull cleaner at the end of the season to get rid of the stain on the bottom of the hull.

 

[emilime75]

75, do you have the bottom of the hull painted with a good bottom paint? If you do, no problem leaving it in the water. If not, put a barrier coat then a couple of coats of bottom paint on it and you should be good.

I was hoping that this was not the answer as I hate how bottom painted hulls look and the added maintenenace factor of them.

 

[emilime75]

I left my 2004 Rinker 270 Fiesta Vee in a local fresh water lake for the long boating season and since I had a trailer I just pulled it out every six weeks and pressure washed the bottom and kept as good a coat of wax as I could. I would also just snorkel and clean the bottom just about every time we were out, Since I would be swimming anyway I took the opportunity too scrub the bottom. in the five years we had it I never had any blister issues or staining that would not clean up.

Your 2006 185 Sport was made with vinylester resin so blisters will not be an issue (see attached spec sheet). Vinylester resin doesn't blister. Blistering occurs with boats made of polyester resin.

As far as growth goes, I'm in fresh water and the growth is minimal. No hard growth, just a little soft growth. I don't bottom paint, I just use a hull cleaner at the end of the season to get rid of the stain on the bottom of the hull.

Thank you both for this. I can easily pull it out once a month or so and clean/wax the bottom. I didn't know this about vinylester, but after reading this reply, I looked into it and see they are much less susceptible to blistering.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Your 2006 185 Sport was made with vinylester resin so blisters will not be an issue (see attached spec sheet). Vinylester resin doesn't blister. Blistering occurs with boats made of polyester resin.

As far as growth goes, I'm in fresh water and the growth is minimal. No hard growth, just a little soft growth. I don't bottom paint, I just use a hull cleaner at the end of the season to get rid of the stain on the bottom of the hull.

See, I knew someone smarter than I an would come along and give you a better answer than I could. Thanks Chip.

 

[emilime75]

See, I knew someone smarter than I an would come along and give you a better answer than I could. Thanks Chip.

That's what forums are for. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[GypsmJim]

Many aficionados will say that the true lifespan of a boat today is 15 years. I guess that's debatable, so take it for what it's worth.

Keep the boat on a trailer in the driveway and figure that'll be it.

Put a barrier coat on the hull, followed by a quality anti-fouling paint, replace the canvas cover as needed, keep the bilge dry and it'll probably last that long as well.

Put a cover on the boat and keep it dry and garage kept and the boat will last a lifetime. Additionally, Inside you can polish it weekly and after decades the boat will still look like new, without any ugly bottom paint.

It all depends on how much you like the boat, how long you would like to keep it, and how much you are willing to spend, both time and money.

I kept my last trailer boat 35 years, bought it new and sold it for more than I paid.

 

[emilime75]

I've got a secondary question that relates...what about the plug in the transom? Should I just tighten it down really good? Add Teflon tape to the threads? Any other precautions to take?

 

[Chip S]

I've got a secondary question that relates...what about the plug in the transom? Should I just tighten it down really good? Add Teflon tape to the threads? Any other precautions to take?

Theoretically you shouldn't need to do anything but tighten it firmly. Since I'm a belt and suspenders kind of person, I use Oatey Great White Sealant ( https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-Great-White-Sealant/4750813 ) on the threads when I install the transom plug.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I've got a secondary question that relates...what about the plug in the transom? Should I just tighten it down really good? Add Teflon tape to the threads? Any other precautions to take?

Bronze is a soft metal so it seals on itself very easily. In fact, you can hand tighten it and keep 99% of the water out (which is what you have to do when you borrow a truck that does't have any tools in it). Use a wrench to tighten it, but just go good and snug - don't go all Superman on it.

 

[emilime75]

Thanks, all. Figured it'd be fine as all of our outings, thus far, have resulted in a dry bilge after a full day on the water. Nevertheless, wanted to be sure.

 

[emunns]

We had a 185 and kept it in fresh water on a covered dock for 5 years, no problems. Now we have a 240SD and keep it at our same dock.
-Drain plug. Don’t worry too much about it. Check your bilge to make sure water isn’t creeping in but it really shouldn’t. We have a drain plug light in ours now also.
-The hull. We have a brush on a poll and run it around the boat every once in awhile. If the water’s warm I’ll jump in a and use a hand brush. We pull the boat in spring and get the bottom pressure washed. It’s all very easy.

We live in Seattle and are 3 miles from our dock. We use the boat so much more having it on a dock rather than a trailer. You’ll be very happy you do too.

 

[Arminius]

One year at Kenmore Air Harbor, my radio was stolen and the hull turned green. I was kinda new and not aware of acid washes. Waiting in line to launch or retrieve and properly intimadating line cutters is no fun either. All attitude though!

 

[Pirate Lady]

Many aficionados will say that the true lifespan of a boat today is 15 years. I guess that's debatable, so take it for what it's worth.

Keep the boat on a trailer in the driveway and figure that'll be it.

Put a barrier coat on the hull, followed by a quality anti-fouling paint, replace the canvas cover as needed, keep the bilge dry and it'll probably last that long as well.

Put a cover on the boat and keep it dry and garage kept and the boat will last a lifetime. Additionally, Inside you can polish it weekly and after decades the boat will still look like new, without any ugly bottom paint.

It all depends on how much you like the boat, how long you would like to keep it, and how much you are willing to spend, both time and money.

I kept my last trailer boat 35 years, bought it new and sold it for more than I paid.

15 years! You’re serious? I got a 30 yo boat that is very close to like new, if it weren’t for the faded color on the dash you would never know. Original upholstery is immaculate. All depends on the TLC of owners.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Bronze is a soft metal so it seals on itself very easily. In fact, you can hand tighten it and keep 99% of the water out (which is what you have to do when you borrow a truck that does't have any tools in it). Use a wrench to tighten it, but just go good and snug - don't go all Superman on it.

Agree, but also use plumber tape for that other 1%.