Boat storage question

[J.R.]

Hey guys, I'm FINALLY a boat owner and I've got a question on storage. I've got a 2006 22' Sea Hunt with a 2005 Yamaha F225. I was going to dry-stack it but the prices are insane! So I looked into wet-slips and found a pretty good deal at Marina Del Sol in Seabrook. I talked to a buddy and he said if you store it in the water you have to do a bottom paint job on the hull and once you do that it has to be done every 3-5 years for the life of the boat. He also told me that storing an outboard in the water will ruin the motor, bilge system, tilt/trim system etc. I wanted to get yalls opinions seeing how I've been given a lot of great advice from the west end anglers.
Thanks
J.R.

[rdb]

Wet slip for a weekend is ok but would not be good for long period of time. Idea would be a roofed slip that pulls the boat out of the water.

[H.Maier]

Congrats on your purchase of the boat! I'd check with Kurt Dolhman at Louis' bait camp about a storage shed. Keep your boat out of the water in dry storage would be my advice. There's a nice ramp there with access to upper West bay and other options with proximity to other water close by.

[J.R.]

Thanks guys! I think Louis' would be a little too far, I live in League City. Like I said, I wanted to be at a marina to avoid trailering but the dry stack storages are too expensive. I'll probably just find a storage place near the ramp I launch from and go there. I have a custom cover that attaches to the T-top so I'm too worried about having a covered storage. Thanks again guys!!

[S-troop]

Thanks guys! I think Louis' would be a little too far, I live in League City. Like I said, I wanted to be at a marina to avoid trailering but the dry stack storages are too expensive. I'll probably just find a storage place near the ramp I launch from and go there. I have a custom cover that attaches to the T-top so I'm too worried about having a covered storage. Thanks again guys!!

If you have a T-Top, Louis' launch would be out since you would not be able to clear the railroad bridge heading out but you could store there and launch from the ramps at the Causeway.


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[dreilly]

Get her out of the water. You will be amazed at how quickly you can grow grass and barnacles on the bottom in warm salt water without antifouling paint (7 to 10 days.) The antifouling paint can diminish the value of your boat.

[OR19]

I keep my 19ft Whaler at Boat Barn #1 in League City. 281-554-6866. Oh Hobbs between 518 and 96. I've stored it there for the past decade never had any issues. Can be launching at Fat Boys in under 45 minutes from there.

[J.R.]

Thanks for tip!

I keep my 19ft Whaler at Boat Barn #1 in League City. 281-554-6866. Oh Hobbs between 518 and 96. I've stored it there for the past decade never had any issues. Can be launching at Fat Boys in under 45 minutes from there.

[Robalo]

If ya leave it in the water, your boat will be trash by the end of the summer. After 5 days, algae and stained, later the barnacles (about 10 days) and the fiberglass may bubble-your lower unit will be toast. All that algae causes drag and slows performance also. If your auto bilge pump fails or battery dies, you may find your boat on the bottom of your slip. Whatever genius said wetslip is a moron or has more $$ than brains. Get a storage shed or garage it at house or put in a lift. You should have considered where and how much when buying a bote. Sea Isle lifts are around $325/month I think?? You can call and check-and don't forget trailer expense and maintenance-lights/bearings and tires. Remember "BOAT" stands for "Break Out Another Thousand".

[J.R.]

Thanks Robalo, I actually considered and researched EVERYTHING about the boat and trailer before I bought it, the only thing I didn't consider was where I was going to put it! Man, rookie mistake! I've found a storage place 5 minutes from the ramp I use and there are a couple of marinas on clear lake that will allow you to overnight your boat in a slip if you're planning on going out the next morning and don't want to trailer 2 days in a row. Thanks for the info bud!

[ROGUECUSTOMRODS]

Man dont wet slip...boat paint is a pain in the butt. Plus when the tides fall in the winter you have to go loosen your lines or its gunna pop a line or cleat and when it comes back up repeat. Our work boats stay in the water for life. We pull them out with the crane every year to find more holes corrosion and no bottom paint. If it was a tender boat or a non trailer boat than yes but not that boat. You try clear creek storage?its about the cheapest but you get what you pay for.

[BlueDawg]

What everyone said. I did it when I lived in Florida I had to pay a diver to come out once a month and scrub the bottom on the boat. Also 3 different times people stiffened my gas.

[J.R.]

I have it at Iron Guard storage on Hwy3 and nasa, 5 minutes from the 270 boat ramp where I launch. What about leaving it in a slip just overnight, when I come off the water late at night and don't want to load it on the trailer? There are a couple marinas that have "transient slips" you can rent for 1 day.

[Texascoonass]

Having been a boat owner for over 20 years I would agree that storing a bay boat with an outboard in the water would be a huge mistake. Salt water is absolutely brutal to both hull and motor, but the motor is far more vital and expensive to repair. If you are nervous about backing into a storage stall and/or ramp, don't be. A little practice and going slow makes all the difference in ease and success. Until you are comfortable doing it and have your system and routine down, bring a buddy or wife along with you on your trips for an extra set of eyes. A dry storage stall is cheaper than a wet slip too.

[TroutSupport]

I have a custom cover that attaches to the T-top so I'm too worried about having a covered storage. Thanks again guys!!

Find some covers for your tires too. The sun eats them up. You can find some vinyl ones on eBay that are $10-12 each. Its enough to keep the sun off the tires and they'll last 10+years.