New boat owner in Hampton Roads

[Jeff_757]

Hello all. I’m a first time boat owner. My 98 dancer 250 will be ready for my first trip on her on Tuesday. The weather is going to be great for the next week or so. I was wondering do most in this area winterize or keep boating all year round? TIA!

 

[Mauler34Rod]

Welcome to CSR, hard to answer your question when you did not complete your profile and we have no idea where you are boating?

 

[Gofirstclass]

Jeff, it would help you to get good answers if you took a few minutes and completed the profile information so we know where you are and where you plan to do your boating.

Also, we all like to see pics of your new boat and you using it.

 

[Jeff_757]

Welcome to CSR, hard to answer your question when you did not complete your profile and we have no idea where you are boating?

Ooops Ok let me update my profile now. Thanks for that. But I’m in the Hampton Roads area. Suffolk, VA to be exact.

 

[Mauler34Rod]

Some others from your area will most likely respond but rule of thumb for me is if you may see consistent temps below freezing then winterize. You don’t want to deal with a cracked head or something worse. Enjoy your new to you DA and good luck

 

[Jaybeaux]

@Jeff_757 Is your boat going to stay in the water year-round or will it be stored on a lift/trailer/stacked storage? If it is out of the water, I would definately winterize. This is not to say I wouldn't winterize if it stays in the water. Are you in a Marina? Does the marina winterize their docks---shutting off dock water? If they do, there's your answer. Plus, the handful of pretty boating days you may get in the winter are NOT worth the risk, in my view.

The simple answer to your question: WINTERIZE

Jaybeaux

 

[dwna1a]

Welcome Jeff. Winterize! That said I usually do it in mid to late November. If you’ve lived here for any length of time you know our winters are very unpredictable. You don’t want to gamble with your boats engine and water systems. If you are unsure on how to do it I highly recommend having a shop do it for you and watch how the do it. Hampton Marine Services can help with that.

Where is the boat now and far you going to stay up on the Elizabeth River area? Safe boating to you and enjoy.

If you make it near Jamestown drop by and have a drink with us.

 

[Jeff_757]

@Jeff_757 Is your boat going to stay in the water year-round or will it be stored on a lift/trailer/stacked storage? If it is out of the water, I would definately winterize. This is not to say I wouldn't winterize if it stays in the water. Are you in a Marina? Does the marina winterize their docks---shutting off dock water? If they do, there's your answer. Plus, the handful of pretty boating days you may get in the winter are NOT worth the risk, in my view.

The simple answer to your question: WINTERIZE

Jaybeaux

Thanks for the response Jaybeaux. It will be in a semi covered stack storage in Hampton VA durnig the winter. I plan on having it winterize in a few weeks. Its supposed to be in the low 80s this weekend. Hoping to test it out this weekend and then winterize it shortly afterwards.

 

[Jeff_757]

Welcome Jeff. Winterize! That said I usually do it in mid to late November. If you’ve lived here for any length of time you know our winters are very unpredictable. You don’t want to gamble with your boats engine and water systems. If you are unsure on how to do it I highly recommend having a shop do it for you and watch how the do it. Hampton Marine Services can help with that.

Where is the boat now and far you going to stay up on the Elizabeth River area? Safe boating to you and enjoy.

If you make it near Jamestown drop by and have a drink with us.

Thanks for the welcome DW. After reading comments on this forum and talking to folks at the marina, I will definitely winterize before December. The weather this weekend is going to be great. I hope to try it out this weekend and then get a few more days in before winterizing. Since boat traffic will be limited the next few weeks, it'll be a good time for me to learn.

My boat is at the Hampton Marina and Dry dock. I live in Suffolk so most of my time I imagine will be spent on the Nansemond and James River. I will definitely let you know when I make my way up to Jamestown.

Thanks again.

 

[dwna1a]

If this is you first trips out, we have had some high tides. We have gotten a good bit of debris floating out that way. We also have a good many crab pots out there. Go slow and be careful