Trojan Boat Forum

/hi all,

I just rented the slip I'm in last month to save a little. It's a 24 x 10 slip, and the first thing I found out was it's not wide enough! I did finally squeeze it in, but had to remove the side bumpers to do it.
There is an open slip on the very end of the dock, but the boat will not have the roof over it. I hate to dock the boat in the open, but see little choice in doing so. It does have two advantages though,,,,first it is cheaper, so more money saved,,,,,and two,,,it should be a lot easier to dock the boat when returning after cruising this summer.

Do any of you dock your boat in the open? Is it such a disadvantage in doing it.

There are several nice boats at the marina that are docked completely in the open, where as mine will be at the end of the dock allowing for some protection.

Thanks,

Larry

we only have uncovered slips in souhern California, I know that some of the marinas in the Delta up north are covered.

To me the advantage would be protection from rain, if you or keep your boat in an area where you get a lot of rain, of course the gel coat would hold up a lot longer without the sun beating down on it all the time as well.

We only get about 7-9" of rain a year, but it's all within a few months each winter / spring.

Larry, my boat has always been in the open and my wife and I both like having the view while sitting on the boat at dock. I find all the water leaks as they appear, hatches, windows and such but I love being in the open. I keep 3M 4200 on board just for that reason, however, full camper canvas and a windshield cover makes a big difference in keeping things dryer.

My Trojan (and most on here probably) has spent its entire life outside.

2 others inside, and 1 in the drive.

Harder on the paint, and hotter when you board in the summer, but I like being outside (and there's no spider poop).

Larry,
Mine is always under cover. But with that being said...there are many times when I'll move it to an empty floating dock which is uncovered. Sometimes ya just want the sunshine.

Nothing wrong with an outside slip, it's just more exposed to the weather and elements. But someone like yourself, keeping up the mainenance should be no problem. Unlike some of the boats I see, disregarded out in the open...

great pic wowser. ditto for open slip... ( I have A/C though....come to think of it Larry, didn't you fix yourself up w A/C?) gotta have a water view....sometimes it's nice just to sit and enjoy the view....and the brew....

I have a open slip , for storing the boat covered is better for the boat , But I would spend less time on it under cover . so open is my choice

larglo wrote:I just rented the slip I'm in last month to save a little. It's a 24 x 10 slip, and the first thing I found out was it's not wide enough! I did finally squeeze it in, but had to remove the side bumpers to do it.

If you are wanting to protect your hull why not fasten rubber strips to the dock edges and enjoy the cover.
As I like to spend as little time as possible sitting at the dock I like the advantages of the cover protection for the boat.
http://www.go2marine.com/category.do?no=12395


You do not need to cover every inch.....

I agree with Ready123; keep mine under cover; don't spend much time in the marina the veiw is better out on the water.

Out in the open. More sunshine. I spend too much time inside the way it is.

I don't really have an option - covered slips are a pretty rare thing for marinas on Lake Ontario (a pretty big fresh water lake that covers about 7,500 square miles (some of the more southern or western guys may not know)). I only know of 2 or 3 places on the lake that even have covered slips (and it is only a portion of their complex), and then a few more places (mostly in the US) in the Thousand Islands.

I prefer outside anyways - sunshine, able to really see the scenery and watch boats going by (especially from up top on the flybridge), easier to watch the sunsets, and social aspects as you can see who is coming and going. Having said that, my boat spent probably 15 of its first 20 years under cover, and the condition of the gel is a testament to that. Late last year I had someone with an '87 Wellcraft comment that their hull might look as good as mine if their boat wasn't so much older (mine is a '79). Mine has been outdoors for the past 10 years while I have owned it (but I pay for indoor storage for winters so it gets respite from the UV damage and winter weather/winds/storms), but it is a lot easier to keep something looking good than to restore it after it has been trashed by the elements.

Under cover you will get protection from wind, rain, hail, and sun, but lose some aspects of the social scene or the potential view/visibility. And you may also have more critter crap to deal with. Where you are, UV is likely to be a lot more of an issue then up here in the Great White North, so you have to weigh the pros and cons against your own personal preferences to figure out what the best option for you is.

The other caution of outdoors - you were saying you would be at the end of the dock. This will also give you the 'privilege' of getting hammered with the wake of every yahoo who doesn't slow down in time and just drags his wake in to the marina behind him... Being on the end you probably can't have a 4-point tie, so will likely be thrown against the dock. You will need good protection for the boat, and you (and your passengers) will also have to be constantly prepared for the boat to lurch without warning (day or night). Don't forget to factor this in to your weighing of pros and cons!

Ditto CaptainManiac - I don't have any options for covered slips on Lake Michigan or Huron so every boat I have owned has been outside and I prefer it that way. I like being in the sunshine and looking at the lake. I am also seasonal so it is shrink wrapped and put on the hard for the winter.

k9th - Totally unrelated to the post... but I see you say you are in Michigan City, IN... my niece and nephew moved to South Bend a couple of years ago - he is going to Notre Dame. I have been a bad uncle (according to my siblings) and haven't visited them yet, so I might be down there some day 'in the not too distant future' for a visit. If you are only an hour away maybe we can arrange a visit at the same time...

under cover without a doubt especially when theres an option.
my trojan is a 78 and its been under cover all of its life. it still looks great and still has a nice shine. i wouldnt have it any other way. i made a custom sunbrella cover that buckles across my forward deck so spider poop isnt a problem for me. i can drink a few more beers while everybody around is washing their boats. in the south like tennessee it is very hot as you guys furthur south would also attest to. looks like most guys up north dont have a choice so they dont think its as important but i would also think your sun angle isnt the same as down south and temps with humidity here in the summer in the 80% range you wont cool that boat off with you ac for awhile. being outside youll probably have leaks to chase down that you never knew you had. i would find some way to try and modify the slip like others have posted.
just my 2 cents

captainmaniac wrote:k9th - Totally unrelated to the post... but I see you say you are in Michigan City, IN... my niece and nephew moved to South Bend a couple of years ago - he is going to Notre Dame. I have been a bad uncle (according to my siblings) and haven't visited them yet, so I might be down there some day 'in the not too distant future' for a visit. If you are only an hour away maybe we can arrange a visit at the same time...

That would be great. The boat is in Michigan City but I actually live in Ft. Wayne which is 3 hours away. If you are here during boating season we are at the marina every weekend and for vacations and would enjoy meeting you. There is a micro-brewery about 1/2 mile from the marina so we can have a cold one if you want - I'm buying.

Let me know.