New Boat Owner 411/Helpful Tips

[TigerDog]

Thank you for the feedback. Fortunately our dock is covered and the plan is to get something like a touches boat cover so that airflow is maxed out.

Also seems like a common theme to make the whole process efficient is to have everyone in the crew on the same page to get the boat ready/closed down, which will certainly be our case.

[charlesml3]

From what I gather on this site, mid-late March seams reasonable.

My rule is "The first warm, sunny Saturday in April."

[scape112]

Another big thing you can do (and some people think I’m crazy) when friends and family get out of the water from water sports or even just swimming. Have them take just a few extra seconds on the swim platform to let water drain off themselves. I personally will get my towel and spend a min or so semi drying off on the swim platform before climbing in the boat. I cringe when I see people get right out of the water and then just climb in the boat with the water dripping off them everywhere. Just 30 seconds on the swim platform while they towel off a bit will keep a lot of water out of your boat.

[SANonTellico]

I do the same thing. With people constantly in and out of the water, having them stand on the swim platform for a few seconds keeps lots of water out of the boat.

[bird_dog0347]

Same here, I especially make sure my kids understand that they need to dry off even just a bit on the back of the boat before getting everything inside wet.

[Pacer1]

New "older boat" owner here and love reading all this material. I am gonna grab a new cover for the boat while at the lake (no roof sadly at dock) so will have from time to time boat subject to decent rain (west coast Canada what can I say) and put away wet.. you guys like new boat covers all the way over the swim platform or not?
Thanks
Jon

[SANonTellico]

I wouldn't want the sun constantly beating down on the swim platform so I’d keep it covered. You can get one that covers everything or get a cover for the boat and a separate one that covers just the swim platform. I think the 2 cover system is easier to put on and remove.

[NautiqueJeff]

There was some mention of cleaning procedures earlier in this thread. While most of the suggestions were good, I would recommend sticking with Nautique's recommended cleaning procedures from the owner's manual. Specifically, I would avoid Soft Scrub.

[SilentSeven]

......The last storage item that will probably make some people cringe is that I pull and store my boat (yes, while on the lift) with the center drain plug removed. No matter the quality of the cover they all leak to some degree and any water getting into the boat will end up in the bilge. You'd be surprised just how much water can build up in the bilge from a single downpour even with a good cover....
.

Usually bturner and I see things pretty much 100%. Buuuuutttt.......

I would strongly advise against this even though I agree that rain water can fill a bilge over time. Lifts are not flawless and it's not impossible for one to fail and have the boat slip back into the water. While unlikely...it can happen. On a hydraulic lift, if you fail to run the lift to the mechanical lock position and you have a leaking cylinder, you're at risk. I've had this happen to me!

If you have the plug out AND this occurs, you are christened an unwilling submarine captain. It's just not worth the risk IMO. If it's really raining, check the boat every couple days...leave the auto bilge pumps set. On a trailer and storing? Feel free to leave the plug out. But I wouldn't do it on a lift.

[bturner]

Yeah I completely get it and would call this good advise. Hence the cringe part. 21 years though..... So far, so good. I do get it though, not for everyone.

There are a lot of times I can't get to the boat for 4 - 10 days depending on the time of year. I started having pink spots and black mold cropping up on the boat we had 2 boats ago. Pulled the plug and the mold and pink spots stopped. Believe me I'm not thrilled either but that's the devil I've decided to live with and it's worked out for us since we started doing this..... 21 seasons ago.

Kind of a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing. So if you're listing kids... never, never ever do this.

[brudererscr]

Completely agree with Nautique Jeff. No Soft Scrub on the vinyl. I was only using the Soft Scrub on the Figerglass. Specifically on the nose of the boat where it comes in contact with the rubber trailer wheel. (if you are trailering).
Scott