Leaving a boat in the Water with unpainted Bottom?

[johnkn]

At 60 I've owned a number of boats, either with unpainted bottoms that I kept on a trailer or painted bottoms I kept in the water. I'm thinking of picking up a used 23SE to fish now and then order a new 2520 openback in the Fall and sell the 23SE when the new boat arrives. The 23SE that I'm interested in has been garage kept and the unpainted bottom looks very nice. I'm hopeful to fish 4-5 times a week on the Lower Potomac and occasionally Chesapeake Bay and I sure don't want to unload and load unto the trailer for each use. Realizing it's not an exact science, how long could I keep it in the water before pulling it out and pressure washing the bottom and be able to keep the bottom looking new after cleaning? ~2 weeks at a time ?

 

[MadGar]

Hey John, I too primarily fish the Potomac and have also had boats that stayed in the water and boats that I trailer. Currently, I trailer the boats I have but up until last year I kept my previous boat in a creek off the Potomac. What I found out over the past several years is that it really depends on timing. It seemed my boat saw it's worst growth problems in Mid May/early June. It stayed pretty steady the rest of the summer (which wasn't great btw) and got better as the water cooled. If I were you I would talk to someone near you to see when that big growth period is. (by the way, there are some people alot smarter than me where we live that know exactly the period of time to NOT have it in the water).

Also, one positive is that you will be using it a lot apparently which should help. But, to be honest, I would make sure I pulled it every 3 or 4 days to wash it and monitor it because you can cause some major damage to your gel coat and probably fiberglass which could greatly reduce it's value if you're selling it this fall.

Hopefully some more knowledgeable people chime in.

 

[Hwyman]

For years, I would keep a boat docked on the Port Tobacco River. Every year, it would get a fresh coat of paint before launch for the season. If you plan to run it about 4-5 times a week, you may be ok. I wouldn't go more than about a week or two without bottom paint in the water. Marine growth is pretty agressive in those waters.

 

[johnkn]

Thanks guys. Hwyman, do you have a Mustang and participate in any car forums?

Thanks

 

[Megabyte]

Any chance of renting a lift for the time you have the boat?
I used to trailer my Dusky to the CBBT and down to Reedville VA, but it only stayed in the water for a weekend.
I got some staining of the hull, but Marykate's On-and-Off cleaned her right up.

 

[Hwyman]

Thanks guys. Hwyman, do you have a Mustang and participate in any car forums?

Thanks

You found me out! Yeah, I have a 2002GT Coupe

 

[johnkn]

Thanks guys. Hwyman, do you have a Mustang and participate in any car forums?

Thanks

You found me out! Yeah, I have a 2002GT Coupe

Lol. Small world, I know you from perhaps the old Metro Mustangs and Ford forum or one of the others. I've got the early 66 GT350, 70 Boss 302 cars, Pantera, 68.5 CJ car, and Viper. Good to see you have the best taste in boats too

I looked at the 23 SE, and it's really nice, hull and much of the boat looks virtually new, really too nice and I couldn't bring myself to paint the bottom and I don't want to deal with hauling it out of the water all the time.

I spoke with Ron at Tri-state and am going to go down this week and likely go ahead and order a new 2520XL open back.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Hwyman]

Thanks guys. Hwyman, do you have a Mustang and participate in any car forums?

Thanks

You found me out! Yeah, I have a 2002GT Coupe

Lol. Small world, I know you from perhaps the old Metro Mustangs and Ford forum or one of the others. I've got the early 66 GT350, 70 Boss 302 cars, Pantera, 68.5 CJ car, and Viper. Good to see you have the best taste in boats too

I looked at the 23 SE, and it's really nice, hull and much of the boat looks virtually new, really too nice and I couldn't bring myself to paint the bottom and I don't want to deal with hauling it out of the water all the time.

I spoke with Ron at Tri-state and am going to go down this week and likely go ahead and order a new 2520XL open back.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Definitely a small world. Matter of fact, I just picked up my 2120SC from Ron a few weeks ago. I still have Highway, and last year my wife got a 1966 Coupe

 

[Megabyte]

I spoke with Ron at Tri-state and am going to go down this week and likely go ahead and order a new 2520XL open back.

Tell Ron that Kevin says 'hello'.

 

[johnkn]

Ok. Thanks guys. I saw Ron today and will post an update Wednesday.

 

[Hwyman]

Ok. Thanks guys. I saw Ron today and will post an update Wednesday.

Tell him I said Hi as well!