Winter Storage

Arickosmo

Arickosmo

Member
Apr 10, 2012
307
Middle Coast
Boat Info
2003 400DB
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1L
I'm new to leaving a boat in the water. I'm like a nervous father about this coming winter. I have just a few questions. I had a cockpit cover made immediately upon delivery. I'm going to leave her under cover on the docks this winter and am wondering if I should go for a full cover or just get a bow cover and leave it. I'm facing south so my bow does stick out just a bit. The minimum will be a bow cover. My concern is having the bow cover just laying on the deck as opposed to over the rails on a full cover.
 
I have stored mine with just the camper canvas for a couple of winters now. I think you will be fine as you are. Normally the north gets it worse than those facing south. I am across from you I think...
 
Arickosmo said:
I'm new to leaving a boat in the water. I'm like a nervous father about this coming winter. I have just a few questions. I had a cockpit cover made immediately upon delivery. I'm going to leave her under cover on the docks this winter and am wondering if I should go for a full cover or just get a bow cover and leave it. I'm facing south so my bow does stick out just a bit. The minimum will be a bow cover. My concern is having the bow cover just laying on the deck as opposed to over the rails on a full cover.
Click to expand...
Where are you in Indiana that you can leave your boat in during the winter?
 
No way I would leave a boat in Monroe over the winter. Too risky with snow/ice/possible power outage and freeze-in - unless you are hoping to make use of your insurance policy...
 
Sprint7TW said:
Where are you in Indiana that you can leave your boat in during the winter?
Click to expand...
if it's on Monroe...Fairfax has bubblers under the covered docks
looked into that for **when** we get a 340.
 
MrHappy said:
I am going to guess, Lake Monroe. We used to keep our boat on J dock. The big guys could leave them in all winter. In 2009 Lake Monroe had a ship load of snow. A few covered docks were overloaded with snow and collapsed taking a few boats with them.

Some pictures of the destruction. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattroth/sets/72157613160731959/show/
Click to expand...
I actually looked to buy that 300 dancer with the green canvas
they bought hin a new arch over that collapse
 
As long as it is winterized properly and the bubblers and power stay on, there are no issues leaving the boat in the water. The fellow (great guy BTW) who runs the service department lives on a houseboat year round there. Gives me some piece of mind knowing he is there each day watching over things. There are about 4 boaters on my dock that are down there every weekend during the winter hanging out on their boats with space heaters. One of them called me two winters ago as there was an issue with my boat in February...a snap came undone on my canvas and he called to tell me he snapped it back for me. LOL
 
MarkNewbie said:
As long as it is winterized properly and the bubblers and power stay on, there are no issues leaving the boat in the water. The fellow (great guy BTW) who runs the service department lives on a houseboat year round there. Gives me some piece of mind knowing he is there each day watching over things. There are about 4 boaters on my dock that are down there every weekend during the winter hanging out on their boats with space heaters. One of them called me two winters ago as there was an issue with my boat in February...a snap came undone on my canvas and he called to tell me he snapped it back for me. LOL
Click to expand...

Is there a reason why you would leave it in the water rather than hauling for the winter? Its not like January/February are prime boating months in Indiana (maybe my US geography is lacking).
 
Creekwood said:
Is there a reason why you would leave it in the water rather than hauling for the winter? Its not like January/February are prime boating months in Indiana (maybe my US geography is lacking).
Click to expand...

There are actually a few thousand reasons. Five hundred dollars to haul out, a couple thousand for getting her moved into storage and the storage itself, and five hundred dollars to have her put back in. And there are no issues with her staying the winter in the water so why spend an few thousand every year that does not need to be spent. I am not the Government....:)
 
MarkNewbie said:
There are actually a few thousand reasons. Five hundred dollars to haul out, a couple thousand for getting her moved into storage and the storage itself, and five hundred dollars to have her put back in. And there are no issues with her staying the winter in the water so why spend an few thousand every year that does not need to be spent. I am not the Government....:)
Click to expand...

That would be some good rea$on$. I guess we have it pretty good. Our marina charges me about $3,500 annually, including water, 30amp power, pump outs, spring launch, fall haul-out, bottom pressure wash and blocking, winter outside storage (shrink wrap extra). There are savings if you go the dockage only route, but since they winter store on site, there is a huge convenience factor to price in.
 
MarkNewbie said:
There are actually a few thousand reasons. Five hundred dollars to haul out, a couple thousand for getting her moved into storage and the storage itself, and five hundred dollars to have her put back in. And there are no issues with her staying the winter in the water so why spend an few thousand every year that does not need to be spent. I am not the Government....:)
Click to expand...

Dang Mark. Gas on Lake Michigan sure seems cheap now!
 
Creekwood said:
That would be some good rea$on$. I guess we have it pretty good. Our marina charges me about $3,500 annually, including water, 30amp power, pump outs, spring launch, fall haul-out, bottom pressure wash and blocking, winter outside storage (shrink wrap extra). There are savings if you go the dockage only route, but since they winter store on site, there is a huge convenience factor to price in.
Click to expand...

Does that include your slip fee? If so, you have a great deal. Of course the marina we are in is one of the most expensive in the midwest. Annual slip fee for a covered 40x16 slip is $6K and I pay the electric.
 
MarkNewbie said:
Does that include your slip fee? If so, you have a great deal. Of course the marina we are in is one of the most expensive in the midwest. Annual slip fee for a covered 40x16 slip is $6K and I pay the electric.
Click to expand...

Yes that includes the slip. Up to 35 loa the 55ft single slips are $5,000 including all the other stuff and including two reserved shore parking spots. Those are hard to get and there is a waiting list. Of course our fuel was $1.50 per litre (x 4.4 to get to us gallons). Street price $1.30 ish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,183
Messages
1,428,113
Members
61,091
Latest member
dionb
Back
Top