240SD in the Rain uncovered is it gonna sink?

[Morpheus]

Ok as I sit here and think about next weekends trip in Punta Gorda where I'll have my boat docked and uncovered and looking outside as it's about to rain (finally we need it).

Is this something I need to worry about? I know there are drains and pumps and stuff but if we have some kind of huge down pour over night which is always possible in Florida am I gonna go out side to find my boat either on the bottom or full of water? Is there anything I need to do? Should I try to put the cover on it while it's docked?

 

[midway]

When I get to the dock I put the cover on, after you do this a couple of times you will find that it is fairly easy to do once the cover stretches a little, I have raised the support poles a little on mine. The cover will keep most of the water out of the boat and the sun off of the upholstery and this will help protect it as well as it will not be quite as hot when you get in the boat midday.

 

[Dave S]

The 240SD is a "self bailing" design. What that means all the water from rain storms(if you don't have your cover on) enters drains in the floor or the scupper drains around the front and rear floor lockers and is directed overboard through the hoses connected to them. This means that very little water makes it into the bilge itself and then what little might get in the bilge should be easily handled by the bilge pump.

Just the same, I would make it a habit of putting the cover on when you are not using the boat.

 

[comsnark]

Always cover the boat -> I do it on weekends when I am away from it for just 8 hours.

You would be amazed at the moisture than will condense on all the seating surfaces.

As for the cockpit: It should be free draining overboard. As water height increases in the cockpit. . it will actually drain faster. Don't worry about it.

 

[jacktm]

I always cover my boat. It is worth the 15 minutes it takes. The only time I won't cover it is if I get stuck out in a storm. Then I will let it dry before I cover it. It keeps the interior looking newer

 

[chuck1]

I always cover my boat. It is worth the 15 minutes it takes. The only time I won't cover it is if I get stuck out in a storm. Then I will let it dry before I cover it. It keeps the interior looking newer

That pretty much sum it up. :thumbsup:

 

[Larry&Leisa]

I always cover my boat. It is worth the 15 minutes it takes. The only time I won't cover it is if I get stuck out in a storm. Then I will let it dry before I cover it. It keeps the interior looking newer

That pretty much sum it up. :thumbsup:

yup.. for us too... it's just part of the end of the day ( or evening ) routine and as midway said its pretty easy to do when the cover stretches. Another good trick is to keep the snaps waxed and they pop right on easier too.

 

[Searay Jim]

Well you're getting beat up on the cover thing so I won't...well ya why not. :grin:

Even on trips where the boat stays in the water for a few days, I cover it at night, most of the time. Sometimes if the weather is dry, no chance of rain, not a lot of bugs etc., I'll leave it open. What moisture condenses on the seats etc. will dry quickly. I'd rather not have it covered when it's humid and it's outside, so as not to trap moisture under the cover.

That said, like everyone else has said, most of the water will go overboard anyway. Some will make it to the bilge but what little will, won't be enough to overcome the bilge pump.

Some water will make it around the sole storage doors and end up in the bilge, and if it's a lot, some will make it around the engine cover, but that's not a lot at all. The cockpit drains off pretty dang quick.

 

[Morpheus]

Thanks for all the tips and reassurance that my boat won't sink if it rains.

I've only put the cover on it while it's up on the trailer so it will be a new experience to do it while it's in the water and to get out of it without falling into the water :grin:

 

[Searay Jim]

Are you talking about bow and cockpit covers, or a full mooring cover?

Bow and cockpit are easy. Mooring cover might be trickier. :smt100

 

[Morpheus]

Are you talking about bow and cockpit covers, or a full mooring cover?

Bow and cockpit are easy. Mooring cover might be trickier. :smt100

Again with the facy words :wink:

The cover I have is 2 parts the front part is all snaps fro the front of the boat and has 1 pole. The rest is a combination of velcro and snaps. It velcros at the windshield to the front part and snaps around except for velcro around the bimini poles and then bungie hooks in the back with 2 poles.

Basically I snap the front on and then climb under and put the pole up (poles snap to cover as well) then I back way out of the boat and end up standing on the swim platform when done where I normally use the ladder to climb down.

 

[Larry&Leisa]

[quoteAgain with the facy words :wink: [/quote]

heh... it took me awhile to get the difference too.. yup...that's your bow and cockpit covers. And that's the routine I use 'cept i attach the pole as I get to the snap and don't worry about it being too taut ( tight?..taut?) unless it's gonna be a gully washer.

 

[Searay Jim]

Fancy? Nah...... :wink:

Yep that's easy to do. I can have mine on in 3-4 minutes easily. Mine also have the holes for the poles which are fine, but I'd rather have the snap top, but I put the poles in as I go also. If they are too "taut" :grin: or too loose, I go under and adjust. Weather makes a difference which is a pain to have to keep adjusting them.