Searching for a Boat-House/Slip

[perry386]

We have owned our 230 for about a season and 3 months now and have put about 130 hours on her. After having to garage the boat everytime for this time period we are growing tired of having to remove the swim platform and lower the tower and bimini EVRY SINGLE TIME. I also would like to give my 16 year old son and my wife the oppurtunity to take the boat out from time to time with their friends because I work third shift and can never do it during the week. Right now my standards for a boat house are:

- Has to be enclosed so the wrap doesnt fade from sunlight
- Has to have a lift
- Has to be on the side of the river we like the best

I am having a few problems with these though. Does the boat house really have to be enclosed? Is there any other way we could protect the boat from sunlight and have an open boat lift? Because enclosed ones are very expensive and get very dirty.

And aslo, I know that the 230 is a very heavy boat with a full tank of gas, so will a standard boat lift hold it as long as it is in a good condition boat house that is built to spec?

[TX-Foilhead]

I had a cover made for my last boat that covered the whole boat front to back including the tower. I'll build another one for the current boat when I need a new one and it will have sides as well. It had a couple of Velcro loops that held on to the top of the tower and helped to get it oriented correctly then all you had to do was pull it down to the rub rail and over the platform. Velcro flap along the side of the tower so I could get in and out of the boat with the cover on. It wasn't cheap, but it was cheaper than a new boat shed.

I would do that, then find a dock. Shouldn't be a problem lifting a 230, there's a couple of G23's and an X55 across the lake from me and I didn't notice anyone upgrading the dock for the their new boat. You may have to upgrade the lift for the weight and make sure the cradle will work with an inboard.

[OKWAKEBDR]

I don't think you really want enclosed on the water storage. It is nearly impossible to keep mildew out. Says you're in Alabama, so I imagine you've got a reasonable amount of humidity.

[nauty220]

I would research mesh shades, some are even Electric. Check out this link - I just googled not advocating this company but gives you an idea.http://www.customcovers4you.com/sun-...un-shades.html

[pokesgrad02]

Custom cover is the simplest way to protect your boat. You can even get a mooring cover and have it modified with a "skirt" that will hang down and cover the hull as well. There is also a cover that is a huge curtain you just have installed on the slip. Pull it around the boat when you pull in. Advantage to it is that it hangs from the ceiling. The top 2-3' is mesh which allows the boat to breath and protects from the sun.

[pokesgrad02]

http://www.automatic-boat-cover.com/boat-covers.php

Link for the curtain. This is one option. Have seen a few

[perry386]

Thanks a lot guys. Any idea on the cost of the touchless cover? That seems like a fantastic option assuming it's reasonably priced.

[nauty220]

You might read thru these threads -
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ouchless+cover

http://midwestboatparty.com/forum/sh...s-Boat-Cover-v

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...8-My-new-cover


I was looking at these and the more I read I moved on from the touchless cover and started looking at this site
http://www.worldsbestboatcover.com/MarineConcepts2/

[perry386]

Custom cover is the simplest way to protect your boat. You can even get a mooring cover and have it modified with a "skirt" that will hang down and cover the hull as well. There is also a cover that is a huge curtain you just have installed on the slip. Pull it around the boat when you pull in. Advantage to it is that it hangs from the ceiling. The top 2-3' is mesh which allows the boat to breath and protects from the sun.

Are you saying that it is somewhat like a shower curtain? Like with tracks on the ceiling so you can just pull a tarp around the whole boat? Because that would seem like a great solution to me. After some research, the touchless is a no-go at $7K and the Marine Concepts MIGHT be a possiblity but still a little pricy. The "shower curtain" idea seems like it would be relatively cheap.

[pokesgrad02]

Yes that is the basic idea. I cannot speak for price but know they are out there as I have seem them at boat shows in KC and on the lake of the Ozarks. I think that is where the guy lives that came up with the idea. However, I cannot remember the name of his company.