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maryd · 23-03-2013, 08:39

We are trying to weigh the pros and cons of storing our 49' RPH Defever on the hard or at the dock for 5-6 months. Far less expensive to keep it in the water. Boat will be in Florida from June-December and will not be used though, if left at the dock will be hooked up to electricity and will have a dehumidifier running. Will also have a diver come and bottom clean on a regular basis.
Do I need to be concerned about the boat being in the water and unused for a six month window? If so, what are the effects on the boat?

Kettlewell · 23-03-2013, 08:52

I have left a boat in Florida for a couple of months with no major issues. Obviously, in that time frame one of your biggest concerns might be the arrival of a hurricane. I would definitely strip the topsides as if getting ready for a storm, and then you need to have a plan for somebody to double secure your boat with extra lines, etc. It is worthwhile to have someone trusted check on things once in awhile, just to make sure that someone hasn't untied a dockline (has happened to me), or that your shore power cord hasn't been turned off, etc. I prefer to disconnect shore power and instead rely on solar power to keep the batteries up. Close off all unnecessary seacocks. Put an extra shot of chlorine in the water tanks. Add some fuel stabilizer. Make sure your automatic bilge pumps are on and working. Don't leave the pressure water hooked up to shore water--that has sunk many boats.

chrisjs · 23-03-2013, 13:05

Apart from the risk to the vessel from hurricanes, have you considered the increased premium your insurance may require if you leave the boat in the water? Perhaps the savings for water storage disappear when balanced aginst this increased cost. After all, the period you are talking about is the prime hurricane season.

FSMike · 23-03-2013, 19:19

If I was going to leave mine in the water I would hire someone to come down periodically and run the diesel and exercise the rest of the systems. Otherwise I'd put it on the hard. If the systems are idle might as well put it where it can't sink.
Lack of usage causes more problems than anything else.

TEE · 23-03-2013, 20:58

I think hiring some local yacht management guy to check on the boat is a good idea too. When a boat is unattended for such a long period of time, sometimes weird and unpleasant things happen to it. Running the engine, checking the bilge, checking for water intrusion and the condition of the dock lines is really something that probably should not take a six month break.

Cavalier · 23-03-2013, 21:15

+1 wrt what Kettlewell mentioned regarding docklines.

We left our boat for 6weeks in Pensacola. As always, we'd secured the boat with multiple redundant springs etc j.i.c. something big and windy showed up while we were not around.

When we returned we discovered that half of the fenders on the dockside had been taken along with most of our lines - thankfully, the offender had replaced all of our expensive stretch-mantle dock lines with polyprop braided - so at least the boat didn't float off!

On the basis that you've prepped properly - one of the biggest risks to your boat when left unattended IMHO is the human factor which is difficult to defend against and quantify...

**GordMay** · 24-03-2013, 04:29

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, maryd.

Graceunderway · 01-04-2013, 05:57

Hire someone to check on your boat. We had ours sitting in North Florida from Nov thru June, and we had pumps fail. Thanks goodness for the marina management and our good friend that visited our boat once a week.

MarkJ · 01-04-2013, 06:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryd

Do I need to be concerned about the boat being in the water and unused for a six month window? If so, what are the effects on the boat?

It's a boat.

In water.

If it sinks after six months then you can bet your bottom dollar you're lucky you never sailed it anywhere.

Sailmonkey · 01-04-2013, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

It's a boat.

In water.

If it sinks after six months then you can bet your bottom dollar you're lucky you never sailed it anywhere.

I'll second that. There are boats in our Marina that haven't been looked at much lessors in years. They are still afloat.

markpierce · 02-04-2013, 11:17

Most boats here never leave the marina for six months or longer (no hurricanes here). Boaters tend to watch out for others, so it's a good idea to have one's phone number visible on the boat so you may be contacted. It's especially good if a liveaboard is nearby. Even if the boat is taken out one day a week, there is still something like 160 hours a week you won't be there.