Trailer Repair-What to do with Boat?

[BigRedSV211]

Maybe a silly question, I exclusively trailer my 2005 SV-211, I've never left it in the water for more than one night at most. I need to take my trailer into Ram-Lin for repair which could take a couple of weeks. Is there any issue with tying the boat to a friends dock for a couple of weeks? Assuming my bilge pumps are in working order... Should I cover it? I have a cover that goes all the way over the swim platform. Thanks for the input!

[MN Ryan]

I wouldn't want to leave it alone for several weeks, but if you or your friend would be able to keep an eye on it, I don't see a problem. You'd have to keep your batteries topped off. I would absolutely cover it.
When I leave mine in the water (usually for a weekend), I just anchor it--the thought of it rubbing against the dock makes me cringe.

[BigRedSV211]

Appreciate the response Ryan, I didn't think about anchoring it. That might work.

[MN Ryan]

I throw out a big one in the front with the bow is facing away from shore (takes on wind and waves better than way), then use one or two smaller off the stern to keep it from swinging around. Obviously, I don't know your set-up, but that's what works on our MN lake.

[BigRedSV211]

Thanks! It would be a fairly small Orlando lake, only big waves from surfers haha

[JDC02SANTE]

First year I had my boat ('21) I didn't have a lift and I left it in the water most of the summer. I added every rubber-baby-bumper I could find and also added an auger'd in pole with another line coming off the port side of the bow. Here's what I experienced.

1. The extra pole took a lot of abuse from the waves trying to throw my boat around, but it did help it stay away from our pier.
2. I covered it every time I left (stock cover that covered the platform too) and found that the rear portion that covered the platform was always soaked & wetness made its way up to the rear motor/locker cushions.
3. The rain would puddle on the cover as well if I wasn't paying close enough attention to setting the poles up straight. (usually blamed that on the Whisky)
4. Had the local Nautique dealer do a hull scrub after the summer as it got a little nasty sitting all summer (July thru August only). Won't ask them to do that again. $$$$$$$

[BigRedSV211]

This is super helpful! Thanks so much. I feel so much better when its on the trailer with the plug out!

[MN Ryan]

I sleep very lightly when I leave it in the water and there is a chance of storms! Not sure what I could do if it were to break free, though. It's cetainly unsettling.

...and found that the rear portion that covered the platform was always soaked & wetness made its way up to the rear motor/locker cushions.

That's interesting and not something I would have thought about. I have a Cover Source cover that doesn't cover the platform, so it's not an issue in my case.

[Rogue14]

I'll tell you what I do but will also say that whenever I see posts like this and relay my experience, many say I'm crazy and would not do it the way I do.

We have a cabin on a nearby lake that usually freezes in the winter so our season is short. My 2007 SV211 goes in the water and sits in the water next to our dock in June and comes out 3 months later soon after Labor Day. I have multiple bumpers/fenders on dock and on boat but I will say the most important one is a very large one I hang from the the front tower support. It actually rubs on the rub rail not the gel coat while also being big enough not to get pushed up on dock with big waves. I use about 7 dock ropes. Some are bungee cord types that do most of the work most of the time but I also have some fixed ropes to back those up during big waves but don't like to use only those because it's an all or nothing thing in terms of stress on the cleats. The controversial part of my set up is that I leave the bilge pumps off. My pumps continuously cycle checking for water and I don't want to come back to a dead battery. So after getting all water out of bilge the day we are leaving cabin, including using a super soaker for the last bit, I am careful the cover is tight and properly supported to prevent pooling if it rains. Not much rain in the summer here except for occasional/rare thunderstorm. It's always worked (until it doesn't, I know). Boat does require a dealer exterior wash at the end of the season as it does get slimy after 3 months.

[srock]

My concern with long term in water storage are large storms that fills the bildge and kills the battery. If you can get a tender on the boat you may sleep alot better.

[BigRedSV211]

Here's an update, I bit the bullet and replaced all the hubs and brakes in my driveway with the boat on the trailer. Thanks for all the input!