Dry Dock vs Wet Slip

GOOD FOR NOW

GOOD FOR NOW

Member
Sep 1, 2008
101
Orange Beach, AL
Boat Info
460 Sundancer 2000
Engines
Cummins 8.3 6CTA
Hi Everyone,

I currently have my 2006 320DA in dry storage at my current marina. I am debating on putting it in a wet slip at another marina that offers more amenities for my family during the summer. The boat does have bottom paint on it. Any pros or cons putting it in a wet slip?
 
GOOD FOR NOW said:
Hi Everyone,

I currently have my 2006 320DA in dry storage at my current marina. I am debating on putting it in a wet slip at another marina that offers more amenities for my family during the summer. The boat does have bottom paint on it. Any pros or cons putting it in a wet slip?
Click to expand...

I keep mine in the water. Pros: Immediate access, you can hang out at the boat any time you want to, you can get more regular use out of the boat by not being restricted to haul out times. Cons: Not as easy to keep clean, increased frequency of zinc and bottom maintenance.

For us the pros out weigh the cons because of the access. We bought the boat to use ...not to sit on a rack and gather dust.
 
I suspect "ammenities" should win out.

But yes. . wet slipping will notably increase maintenance costs. You will have to paint the bottom every year or so. And if you actually have to haul out to fix something. . . $$$$.

But as Sprink says. . you buy the boat to use. If the family is happy. .then you will be happy. :)
 
Thanks for the comments. I have owned this boat since November 2007 and have had it on a rack for storage. Unfortunatly I am not well versed on all the lingo yet. I understand about the bottom paint being a yearly cost, but what are you talking about when you refer to "zincs"? I also know I will have to have the bottom scrubbed periodically. Any other words of wisdom about maintenance in a wet slip?
 
I don't think there are any cons to wet slipping. You just power wash the bottom in the fall to clean things up. The other issues are routine maintenance that need to be done on a scheduled basis. Most rack stored boats have lots of hull dings from the lifts used to move them.
 
One notable thing to consider is what I personally think boating is all about anyway...making new friends who have the same hobby as you.

As others have said, the maintenance will be more, but worth it
 
Today makes for a great example. I am 20 min from my boat. I don't have to call anyone or do anything but put a few things in the truck, get my wife and dog and go. I plan to wash her down and dry her off when we get there (30 min) while my "woman God"is in thecabin watching TV or what ever. Shore power running the A/C, charging the batteries, etc.

When we get ready to go, I'll start the engines, dis-connect the shore power, start the generator, switch power to generator, un-tie from my slip and off we go.

When I return (doesn't matter when) I'll reverse the proceedure, hang out on the boat, maybe spend the night or go home.

Works for me.:thumbsup:
 
sprink56 said:
Today makes for a great example. I am 20 min from my boat. I don't have to call anyone or do anything but put a few things in the truck, get my wife and dog and go. I plan to wash her down and dry her off when we get there (30 min) while my "woman God"is in thecabin watching TV or what ever. Shore power running the A/C, charging the batteries, etc.

When we get ready to go, I'll start the engines, dis-connect the shore power, start the generator, switch power to generator, un-tie from my slip and off we go.

When I return (doesn't matter when) I'll reverse the proceedure, hang out on the boat, maybe spend the night or go home.

Works for me.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Amen to that..
 
This may be a stupid question, but I am slipping this year for the first time too. Should blistering be a concern for people that leave the boat in the water - or is this a very rare thing that I should not even think about.
 
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Although I prefer a wet slip, it is much more difficult to keep the hull clean and waxed. We kept our boat in a rack for our first three seasons, and it was very nice to be able to wash and wax the hull sides, check the running gear, etc, while on land.

That said, we moved to a wet slip two years ago and will stay in one for the reasons everyone else has listed. It's very hard to get to know the other boaters in your marina when all you do is come in, put the boat in the water, and go.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. My wife said I should have just listned to her. I am definetly going to move to the wet slip.
 
GOOD FOR NOW said:
Thanks everyone for your input. My wife said I should have just listned to her. I am definetly going to move to the wet slip.
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A happy captain is one with a happy admiral. So keep the admiral happy and enjoy the boat more, and hopefully enjoy the admiral more as well.:wow:
 
What's the saying? Once you go wet you won't go back? Something like that.

Marina life is great.
 
A 320DA? Wet slip all the way!! I couldn't imagine trailering my boat (a 300DA) or having to rely on a Marina to put it in or take it out everytime I wanted to use it.
 
sbw1 said:
I don't think there are any cons to wet slipping. You just power wash the bottom in the fall to clean things up. The other issues are routine maintenance that need to be done on a scheduled basis. Most rack stored boats have lots of hull dings from the lifts used to move them.
Click to expand...

Yeah. .. powerwash in the fall. And then again in the spring to catch the one or two spots you miss. Then rough up the surface (messy job) Then mask and paint. Then you have to get the growth off the running gear. Pain in the butt if you have I/O's.

sprink56 said:
Today makes for a great example. I am 20 min from my boat. I don't have to call anyone or do anything but put a few things in the truck, get my wife and dog and go. I plan to wash her down and dry her off when we get there (30 min) while my "woman God"is in thecabin watching TV or what ever. Shore power running the A/C, charging the batteries, etc.

When we get ready to go, I'll start the engines, dis-connect the shore power, start the generator, switch power to generator, un-tie from my slip and off we go.

When I return (doesn't matter when) I'll reverse the proceedure, hang out on the boat, maybe spend the night or go home.

Works for me.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Don't forget the hour of washing the boat when you're done :)

berth control said:
This may be a stupid question, but I am slipping this year for the first time too. Should blistering be a concern for people that leave the boat in the water - or is this a very rare thing that I should not even think about.
Click to expand...

Blistering is definately something to think about. Something to check for every year. But not something to worry about. Just keep up with the bottom paint.

Bridog said:
A 320DA? Wet slip all the way!! I couldn't imagine trailering my boat (a 300DA) or having to rely on a Marina to put it in or take it out everytime I wanted to use it.
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ABSOLUTELY! While there are definate advantages to dry stacking. . . . if the marina imposed any restrictions on access that would be the end of it.

My first season with the Jetski, the local ramp closed at 4pm on Sunday. What a TOTAL and COMPLETE drag. There are times now when I go out for a final run at 8:00pm to watch sunset. Life is much better now.
 
I am in the process of making walkways to attach to each side of my lift so I can get down close to the hull for washing. I am going to use 2X12x16 foot planks of deck lumbar lined on each side with 1/8X2x2 angle iron. The arms are 12 feet apart so I think I need the angle iron to prevent bowing? I plan to attach the walkways to the lift arms by 4 inch U-bolts. I am trying to stay under $200. The prefab walkways from Boatfloater are $2500. Hopefully this is the solution to keeping the hull clean. I will post pics when I am done.
 
DRY SLIP - PERIOD

It appears that none of the wet slippers have had dry storage. I have both.

I call on my way to the boat and tell them if I want ice, beer, soda, etc, and it's sitting there waiting for me ready to go. They'll even fill the gas tank and pump the head. I jump on, start the engines, and the dock guys untie me. (My wife doesn't need to help dock) When I return, they catch my lines, HOSE HER DOWN and put her up. If they're not busy, they help unload and etc. Fortunately, my Marina has extra guest slips that we can use, so I can have them put it in for the weekend if I want to hang out.

PROS
* Elbows, Risers & Manifolds last a lot longer - Mine (on a '04) have barely any rust.
* Bellows last a lot longer
* Thru hole fittings & etc last much longer
* Dock lines & bumpers stay clean and flexable - they last forever
* Hull stays in pristine condition
* No sun / UV damage for inside storage. Canvas, gel coat, upholstery, lasts forever.
* No rain / wind for inside storage. No black streaks. No bird poop.
* Zincs last forever - still have the originals, going to replace them next year
* Bad weather & hurricanes? - I'm inside protected.
* Salt water? Hull is hosed down and Engines are flushed with fresh water.
* Can wax frequently since it's out of the water
* No bottom paint. No scraping off last years paint. No cleaning out fittings, etc.
* No pull-out fees for cleaning / maintenance, etc.
* No cover to put on and off since I'm inside.
* Security - Inside storage sheds are closed and locked at night. Workers around in day. Boat slips that are above ground level can't be accessed without extreme measures.
* Dry & less humid - my boat isn't in the water, and the bilge is always dry, and so is the cabin, etc.
* Most marinas have unlimited "splashes" and work racks to do maintenance, waxing, etc. All for no extra charge.
* No need to worry about sinking or serious damage if your zincs, manifolds, through-hulls, bellows, scuppers or other things fail
* Better resale value (especially if unpainted)
* Cheaper insurance rates in my case (due to hurricanes in Florida). My insurance is about half of keeping in water.
* No need to remove from water for tropical storms - At many Florida marinas that I have dealt with, you are required to remove your boat from the water for every tropical storm / hurricane warning.
* Seriously, I could go on and on.

CONS
* If your dry storage doesn't have wet slips, this does suck.
* Can be expensive if your boat is too big

In addition - the cost in my area is similar (some wets are cheaper, and some are more expensive)
 
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