Where to go to do maintenance?

[craig240DA]

New guy here, trying to figure out some common sense things.

We have a 2007 240DA on a boat lift in a canal and I have a few questions about maintenance. The boat is elevated out of the water along a dock on the port side. No stern or starboard access. I can't even get to the drain plug without getting in my kayak and paddling around to the stern, and then it is tough to get any leverage while in a kayak. I can't reach the drain plug, even from the swim platform. So how do I do oil changes (the drain for the oil is a tube you pull through the drain plug), or any other maintenance? Do you take it to a marina and have them pull it? How much does that cost?

I can't even spray off or wash the starboard side after using the boat unless I hang off the side risking a headfirst dive into the canal.

Do you polish the entire boat, even below the waterline?

Anyone sell a monkey that is experienced in hanging from a boat lift and cleaning a boat at the same time?

 

[estebanj]

Most marinas offer short hauls. For a 240, I would look for one with dry storage/work racks, which normally have fork lifts. I say this b/c rates may be lower than a traditional boat yard with a travel lift.

Depending on what you're doing (amount of time), they'll put you on a work rack, blocks or may even leave you on the travel lift.

Are you able to modify the lift to add walking planks so you can get to the other side of the boat?

Make sure the marina allows you to do oil changes b4 you head there. My marina for example does not.

You can also extract the oil via the dipstick using a pump, and bypass the Merc easy drain plug. Not ideal, but considering your situation this is OK. This can be done in water or in lift; just get water into the engine to be able to run it to warm up the oil for easy extraction.

Esteban

 

[Asureyez]

On the water solution

Here in SoFla, the boat lifts are very common even on large 40 foot boats.

I see many owners will have work floats of 4X8X1 foam rafts that can be sued to get around the blind side of the boat. If you aren't in the market for RIB dingy then a float can be made from simple styrafoam slabs or some yacht supply houses will have these made up and available.

These floats are stable enough to perform most work and will support a couple of hundred pound worker and tools.

Might just be the ticket

 

[craig240DA]

Ah Ha!

I saw one of these today at a dock and was trying to figure what it was. A floating work dock. Thanks for the idea.