keeping boat in water

[cooperwoods]

Bought my nautique new in March 2004.

I have kept it at a local lake marina in the water. I take it out about 1x month to clean/wax. Last time out of water I noticed small blisters forming on bottom of boat. I also have a scum line that seems to be getting harder and harder to get off.

Friends tell me that I'm nuts leaving the boat in the water and that I will continue to have problems with the hull if I let it sit in the water. One guy told me to pull the boat out for 2/3 months and the blisters will probably go away. Dealer told me that I should be able to keep it in the water without a problem.

What are your thoughts? For those of you who keep your boat in the water, what procedures do you follow to keep the hull in good condition? (i.e. should I pull it out for 2/3 months?) Thanks for your input.

[NautiqueChick]

RE: keeping boat in water

We keep our Nautique in the water for 4-5 months at a time. At the end of the summer when we take it out we just clean the hull and then wax it afterwards. So far there are no signs of blisters forming. With our old boat, a 87 American Skier, we did the same thing and never had a problem and my dad had that boat for around 16 years.

[Ski4Kids]

I have a inboard ski boat of another brand. I have had it the water for 3 seasons pulling it and cleaning it mid season. This year at the end of the season it was covered in blisters this is also referred to as osmosis ( my research says it is caused by the improper lay up of the hull . it is uncured resins that react with molucules of water that cause swelling that bubbles the gel coat becuase it is weaker than the fiberglass). Any water marks on the boat can be cleaned with chemical but you shoul let a marina clean it for you.
I also still own a 1988 17 ft Doral boat that I bought new and it has always sat in the water and maybe has a few pimples on it so I was shocked to see this problem on my newer ski boat.
My manufacturer is paying to have the osmosis fix and it is not a cheap repair. I am on this site cause I was trying to seach for more insight on osmosis.
In your Nautique manual it recomends a epoxy bottom paint to protect the gel coat if you leave your boat in the water. I have also heard this is not a nice feature to add to your boat.
Some feed back that I got was the so called extended period of time is 2 weeks and the boat should be removed from the water. How long it needs to sit out of the water before it goes back in for 2 weeks i dont know.
I understand that Natique will cover you on this.
I will have to purchase a lift for my boat as once it is fixed they cant give a garrantee that you can keep it in the water.
My research is that this is becoming more common with the newer boats than with the older fiberglass boats.I am bothering some of the Boating Magazines that they need to do an article on osmosis to educate the consumer.
The sales people are still promoting thier boats as indestructible. Which they should be but something seems to failing in the system and it seems to affect all manufactures. maybe it is a shortage of skilled trades. Sorry about your boat I know the felling.
Danny

[NautiqueJeff]

I am on this site cause I was trying to seach for more insight on osmosis.

You might want to check out THIS THREAD for some further information.