Question about parking boat at a slip all summer?????????

[twisid01]

It is getting to that point up here in Chicago. The weather is almost back the sun is out. I really look forward to testing out my new baja 275 I bought over the winter. Let me tell you this was a tough long winter just waiting and waiting. Anyways, I will be getting a boat slip this year in the Chicago harbors. It will be there from April til October. This is fresh water up here in Chicago in case some didn't know. Well, I have been reading some old post about leaving the boat in the water. I know some of you are against doing so. But, this what I want to do this year. From the sounds of it painting the bottom of the boat is a no no for baja's. What do I need to do in order for it to be good for the long summer in the water??? Or do I do nothing??? Please give me some feedback on this. :headspin

[jmc2135]

Kevin, I have a 302 in Chicago and every year I have the same thoughts of getting a slip and I have made several posts on this topic. If you do leave it in a slip without bottom paint or a lift you will get a green beard that will turn rock hard, slow you down and reduce gas mileage. They do have a diving service in the Chicago harbors that will clean the bottom once a week, I think they charge by the foot.

The problem with leaving it in is at the end of the season you have to acid wash your boat and it will still have a stained hull and your drives and props will look like chit. I found a place right on the Chicago river called South Branch Marina 312-226-0070. They have in/out service till 11pm. A nice pier with gas and food, free parking etc... It is right past marina city on Union Street.

The only draw back is going through the locks on a busy weekend or holidays but I just can't justify the cost of the city slip, diver, resale value and acid wash for using my boat so little with the Chicago weather.

You have a lot to think about with that brand new 275 but you bought it to have fun so do what ever makes you happy!

[hp500]

Kevin
I agree with Joe about South Branch. If you don"t put bottom paint on it you stand about a 90% chance of getting blisters on the bottom. I don"t know about Baja but a lot of the other builders will not warranty blisters if you don"t paint the bottom. I would think real hard about letting a boat set in the water.

[missouri]

you've read what can happen in the other threads ... lots of maintenance, extra expense and possible depreciation leaving in the water...no way I'd do it on a nice boat much less new....a 6000 lb lift would pay for itself in a couple years....

[haulinvols]

Get the lift, or go with dry storage if available. In the long run you will save money. There is nothing worse than spending your hard earned money, only to see it turn a wonderful shade of chit brown on the bottom. Just my .02

[AZ Boater]

If you can avoid it...don't do it. Get a lift if you MUST keep it in the slip.

I kept my old Mariah in the water one summer and regretted it for 3 years I owned the boat. The scum on the bottom grew very quickly and the only way I could get it off was to use acid. The bottom was perm. stained and greatly reduced the resale value. Additionally, the outdrive zincs were used up pretty quickly because of a stray current caused by the boats around me, and my outdrive sustained damage.

After that, there is no way I would keep my boat in the water for more than a few days. I could not stomach seeing my Baja degrade the same way the Mariah did.

[davesoutlaw]

Kevin

Thers is one other solution, but it is a lot of work. What you would need to do is at least once a week pull the boat out and clean the bottom(not with acid) use a product called FSR(fiberglass stain remover) it does not harm the gel coat, you can buy it at any west marine store. By cleaning it once a week you will eliminate the chance of growth all together and with it sitting in the water only a week you should only have a slight tea stain on the hull. I agree with the others you really shouldn't leave it in for any length of time. My baja only stays in for the weekend and then it goes to inside storage.

[Seize n Ticket]

Lift!

[kidbaja]

In the Chicago system there is only two things you can do. Leave it in the water and pay the diver or South Branch. Chicago does not allow lift's. You could go to Hammond which is only 10-15 minute drive by boat and put a lift down there but remember used lifts are running between $6,000-$10,000. If you can get into the Chicago system do it. Leave it in the water and don't worry. After a year on Lake Mi. you will be wanting to moving up to a bigger boat. Just ask anyone boating in Chicago it get's rough.

[missouri]

$3500 for a new top of the line 6000 lb. lift installed at LOTO....lifetime warrenty on the tanks for anyone who owns it.....

[kidbaja]

Life would be sweet to live buy the factory but Chicago is a little far from any lift dealer. Doesn't that suck, we get charged more and we use our boat less. :beathead

[bajacraig]

Them chicago boys got it ruff.
A few months ago I remember seeing that you could just about have a condo and dock at LOTO for what they pay for a slip for one year. :o

[missouri]

used lifts are running between $6,000-$10,000.Thats just unreal for used lifts....I'd deliver and install a new one for $6000 all summer long and have a smile on my face the whole time...lol. St,Louis has a ton of Marina's on the Mississippi and they are cheaper than the lake(actually St.Louis and St.Charles county).....Chitown prices are something else, like Craig said...

[Atwood1018]

It's nice having the boat right there on the water, but for what it costs up here in Chicago I just keep mine on the trailer. It's a little bit of a pain sometimes, but saves a lot of money and it's not sitting in the water. If I wanted to keep the boat in the water I'd get a cruiser and paint the bottom.

[bottomless pit]

Lift or Trailer!:x :huh :samurai

[bajaneil]

I planned to trailer my boat because of the green scum. And where my lake property is the water level fluctuates so bad you usually can't get a boat to the dock by mid August.

But last night while searching for an answer I came across a hydrolic floating hoist. It can be tied to a dock or can be tide out on a mooring.

It is solar powered so doesnt need to be plugged in and is push button operated from the boat. Just drive on hit the button and your up.

Check out the videos. www.sunstreamcorp.com/ssc/indexHome.html (http://www.sunstreamcorp.com/ssc/indexHome.html)

[kidbaja]

:beathead get this one. In the Chicago area and boating on Lake Mi., if your marina does allow a lift it must still be approved first. Not every lift mfg is approved. You can not just buy any type of lift you want. Hydro Hoist has been approved at many of the marinas and that is it. I have not seen any other hoist mfg form Indiana to Wi. Another restriction we have to deal with but Boating in Chicago is beautiful and fun.