I have access to a slip/ boathouse but lift is broken for now. How long would you feel comfortable leaving your rig sitting in the water? Thanks
I have access to a slip/ boathouse but lift is broken for now. How long would you feel comfortable leaving your rig sitting in the water? Thanks
Depends on how much you like cleaning. Personally, I wouldn't leave mine in a slip unless the conditions were perfect. Ie: no weather, no huge wakes, great slip, great protection and no thieves.
Is it getting dirty the only concern? I have it tied up at 4 points so wakes cant make it bump the dock.
I have done it. It will be fine but will be hard to clean. We moved from one lakehouse to another one. The new house did not have a dock and lift yet. My RT stayed in a friend's slip without a boat lift for a long time. It just got nasty and was hard to clean. It was well protected with ties and buoys and covered with a roof. I also put an automatic bilge pump in it for peace of mind. It will be hard to clean the hull., but it's not going to hurt anything. Another suggestion is to make sure to get a motor cover and use it. Dirt daubers like to get in there. I also sprayed it for spiders.
I wrote the above for aluminum. NEVER leave a glass boat in the water for a long time.
Last edited by Panama; 08-22-2019 at 07:46 PM.
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The bitterness of poor quality is remembered
long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten - Benjamin Franklin
2013 RANGER RT188 - YAMAHA F115 - ULTREX - LOWRANCE GRAPHS
LOCK-N-HAUL Transom Saver, ALL ABOARD Emergency Ladder
1996 RANGER CHEROKEE - 40 YAMAHA
I have left my tin in the water for several weeks at a time in Ontario for the past 5 summers. Typically the boat sits in the water for 3 weeks, sometimes far longer. This summer it was in the water from June 22 until August 1. But when I bought my RT188 I coated the portions of the side that are not painted with a clear acrylic coating that has held up quite well and cleans easily with car wash soap and water.
2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway
If the lake isn't conducive for algae growth on your
hull and lower unit you will be fine.
A lake such as Barkley in Ky, the algae growth on a hull
that doesnt have anti-foulant paint will be bad enough in 2 wks
you will lose noticeable speed. In 30 days it will feel like you
are trying to run while dragging an anchor. LDS
Larry D. Scott Retired KY Water patrol/F&W
www.greatscottshooters.com
2008 TRACKER TV 18 w/150 Mercury 4S
MK Ultrex 80lb, 102 Garmin Live scope
and a UHD93SV Garmin on the bow.
UHD 93SV at the console.
I only leave mine at the lake like this for a week at a time but would have no problem leaving it for weeks. There is a roof over it.
Screenshot_20190730-183439_Photos.jpg
When I fish Barkley for 5 days and leave my boat it the water I get some kind of film on the prop that is almost impossible to get off. It gets on the boat also but it scrubs off with some work.
Depends on what brand boat. I would leave my Lund on the water until the next millennium and not worry. If I were the proud owner of a lesser quality brand like Ranger or Tracker.....not so much
I leave my tin Ranger in lake Champlain for 2 months at a time with no problems. Takes a little cleaning to get the little bit of skum line off when I pull her out but I keep it wiped down with slick mist so it is not to bad.
2007 Bass Cat Pantera IV
2018 G3 Sportsman 1710
Do you guys tilt the motor up to get it out of the water? or just leave in?
Well since you went there you won't lose much value on your rig anyway............
????
Larry D. Scott Retired KY Water patrol/F&W
www.greatscottshooters.com
2008 TRACKER TV 18 w/150 Mercury 4S
MK Ultrex 80lb, 102 Garmin Live scope
and a UHD93SV Garmin on the bow.
UHD 93SV at the console.
I trim my motor up and run a thick steel cable through the bow hook with a padlock. Admittedly a thief could find a way to cut through. Hull is still clean after 5+ years, I'd post a photo but I haven't look for an alternative to tinypic yet. What is everyone else using?
2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway