Thinking about leaving skeeter docked next season

[Mikeyslikz]

Just bought a house on a lake that comes with a boat slip.. Debating if I should leave my skeeter in the water once they put the docks in next season . I'm a weekend fisherman and the house is 120 miles from my current residence in NYC. Just want to hear anyone's thoughts or advice . Thanks guys!

 

[J Francho]

Automatic bilge!

[rangerjockey]

I'd invest in a lift.. I keep mine in the slip 12 months a year, but no way I'd leave it in the water.

Also lets me drive the car vs my truck to and from our place on Table Rock. The savings in fuel pays for much of the slip and lift cost.

[thomas15]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Automatic bilge!

That's one solution but it only takes one time where the pump doesn't do it's thing and then your fantastic boat is not longer fantastic. The biggest problem associated with keeping the boat in a slip 24/7 is keeping water out. It doesn't have to be enough water to sink the boat just enough to waterlog the foam, ultimately causing rot of the stringers/transom. I know boaters that have boats that are 30+ feet in length that trailer them to keep the boat dry and to make sure no one takes their stuff. There are marinas that I know of that have fenced in areas for boaters to leave their boats/trailers secure but out of the water. Just hitch up, drive 150 feet to the ramp, launch. For those people it's not about saving money.

[J Francho]

There are literally thousands of boats along parked in slips and docks around every bit of habitable shoreline up here.  If sinking was an issue, it wouldn't be the norm.  In fact, many are surprised when I tell them I trailer to whatever lake I want to fish.  They think I'm nuts, lol.

[thomas15]

You can essentially do the same damage to the boat by keeping it uncovered in the safety of your back yard. Just allow water to accumulate and soak into the foam and wood.

[BigBassLoveSenkos]

Leaving it in the water long term = oxidation, blistering, and other gelcoat/hull damages that cost BIG $$$$ to have repaired.  That boat looks to be in good shape right now.  If you want to keep it in good shape either get a lift put in on your slip (one with a roof for maximum protection) or trailer your boat when not using.  If leaving your boat in the water is an absolute must for your situation, trade in the skeeter for a pontoon.

[J Francho]

We've left boats in spring through summer at our cottage without issue since I was a kid.  I/O & OB open bows, Ski Nautique, jet skiis, a 24' Penn Yan salmon charter, my deep-V fishing boat..... Other than algae on the hull, there were no ill effects - nothing a scrub and wax in the fall didn't take care of.  They're boats.  They're made to be in the water, lol.  A lift is nice, around here, you can find manual lifts relatively cheap.  A cover is a must, especially if there's no shade.  Obviously, you'll want to mitigate any rubbing issues.  Fenders are okay for temporary docking, but you want some protection on the dock itself.

[WRB]

Fresh water doesn't affect your late model Skeeter, it doesn't have any wood in the transum.

If you have a good cover, auto bilge pump, bumpers and power available shouldn't have any problems with the weather. How good is the security? Don't leave anything valuable in the boat if you don't live there 24/7!

Tom

[J Francho]

We even left our '62 Penn Yan woody in all summer.  It did get refinished/repainted every 3-4 years, but that comes with the territory when you have a wood boat.

[Mikeyslikz]

The boat is a 2014 tzx 195 . In pretty much showroom condition . I bought a house on lake wallenpaupack in northern pa. I appreciate all the info and comments everyone ! I think ill trailer it and put a pontoon in the slip! 

[slonezp]

Security would have been my concern. Being 2 hours away and only showing up on weekends, I'd be concerned with people tampering or thieving.  

[RFSims]

My late father and his buddies use to camp on a lake 6 to 8 months a year, leaving their boats in the water. Everyone of their lower units pitted over the years. that Skeeter is too nice of a boat to leave in the water unless it was on a lift. However it's your boat, so do as you wish.

[mcgreavster]

The gel on the bottom is going to blister if it's left in the water for long enough. That's why almost all boats left in slips for the year are epoxied and bottom painted, it protects the boat.

Get a cheap lift and you're golden.

[gim]

Its always easy to tell who leaves their boat sitting in the water for long periods of time.  There's a nasty scum line on the side of the hull.  Thats way too nice of a boat to leave sitting in the water, much less the other reasons that many have already stated about theft, etc.

[tkunk]

I keep my boat, which is also a Skeeter, at a marina.

My tips:

[1] A couple of times per month, I pull it out of the water and pressure wash it.  

[2] Make sure you keep it covered so that the sun doesn't fade the paint or mess with your screens.  

[3] Use side buoys, so that the dock doesn't scratch anything.

[4] After it's super rainy, leave your compartments open so that everything can dry.

[Catt]

On 8/30/2016 at 0:50 PM, J Francho said:

We've left boats in spring through summer at our cottage without issue since I was a kid.  I/O & OB open bows, Ski Nautique, jet skiis, a 24' Penn Yan salmon charter, my deep-V fishing boat..... Other than algae on the hull, there were no ill effects - nothing a scrub and wax in the fall didn't take care of.  They're boats.  They're made to be in the water, lol.  A lift is nice, around here, you can find manual lifts relatively cheap.  A cover is a must, especially if there's no shade.  Obviously, you'll want to mitigate any rubbing issues.  Fenders are okay for temporary docking, but you want some protection on the dock itself.

They aint buying it J.

[fishnkamp]

Boy Wallenpaupack is a great lake. I used to fish if for smallies back in the 90's. What I would do is store the boat at the lake house and put it in when I got there. Put it in once and take it out once during your time there. Doing this you will save money towing it there.Maybe you can get one of those metal roofed carports to store it under.

[Fishes in trees]

If you're gong to keep it at that one lake, I'd spend the money on a lift.   If different lakes are on the menu, trailering is the best option.

[J Francho]

13 hours ago, Catt said:

They aint buying it J.

People leave much, much, much nicer boats than your typical boat in all season, and gel coat doesn't blister.  I don't think I've ever heard of that happening from being in water.  The point of gel is it's water proof, more so than automotive paint.  Like I said, you can dock it, but a lift would the ideal set up.  We had one lift, it was rare that my fishing boat was allowed on it, lol.  I got one of the other 4 "parking spots."

["hamma"]

I'd put a tin boat at the camps dock, just auto-bilged or covered, etc. ,..and keep the skeeter out at home for "other" days on the water. 

Just a thought.

[WPCfishing]

I would never leave a bass boat in the water.