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Leaving boat in water for summer
- Thread starter Ryan818
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Comfortably Numb
New Member
There will be tons of problems if you are leaving it setting in the water all summer. The bottom of these boats is not designed to be left in the water for long periods of time.
It is just like larger boats that will need to have the bottom prepared and then painted with bottom paint. This will protect the fiberglass from basically rotting in the water.
The only other way really is to put it on some type of lift system that keeps it out of the water, or stick it back on the trailer at the end of every weekend or use.
I hope this helps.
It is just like larger boats that will need to have the bottom prepared and then painted with bottom paint. This will protect the fiberglass from basically rotting in the water.
The only other way really is to put it on some type of lift system that keeps it out of the water, or stick it back on the trailer at the end of every weekend or use.
I hope this helps.
Adam X20
New Member
I bought my boat from a nieghbour at the cottage.
My boat has been left in the water all summer since new.
(Fresh lake water)
There is a "scum line" which can be removed with a seasonal acid wash.
Can't see it when boat is in water.
The fiberglass will not be effected.
Just make certain your boat doesn't take on any water over long periods of time.
My boat has been left in the water all summer since new.
(Fresh lake water)
There is a "scum line" which can be removed with a seasonal acid wash.
Can't see it when boat is in water.
The fiberglass will not be effected.
Just make certain your boat doesn't take on any water over long periods of time.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Hey Ryan... didn't we talk about this already? The question comes up so often, it's hard to remember.
Anyway, Adam's boat is different. He shouldn't leave it in the water for other reasons... but he has the Mercury drive system. (used by SeaDoo for a couple years) His jet pump has a gear box, and a totally different sealing system. Your carbon seal will continuously leak water into your boat, and isn't a good idea to leave it in the water.
Putting all the mechanical issues aside (blisters in the hull, growth on the gel coat, razor clams growing in your cooling system) coming to the marina, and finding your boat sunk will put a damper on the days activities.
I know putting it on the trailer can be a pain, but it's the only way to be safe with it.
Anyway, Adam's boat is different. He shouldn't leave it in the water for other reasons... but he has the Mercury drive system. (used by SeaDoo for a couple years) His jet pump has a gear box, and a totally different sealing system. Your carbon seal will continuously leak water into your boat, and isn't a good idea to leave it in the water.
Putting all the mechanical issues aside (blisters in the hull, growth on the gel coat, razor clams growing in your cooling system) coming to the marina, and finding your boat sunk will put a damper on the days activities.
I know putting it on the trailer can be a pain, but it's the only way to be safe with it.
Craigmri
New Member
I agree with Tony 100%. Actually, once you've launched and retrieved your boat a half dozen times it becomes second nature. My son and I can retreive my boat now in a couple of minutes.
The benefits of trailering are great. For instance, I can bring my boat anywhere for service, cleaning and new boating locations.
Craig
The benefits of trailering are great. For instance, I can bring my boat anywhere for service, cleaning and new boating locations.
Craig
don't sink
New Member
I kept my [bottom painted] boat in for a month last year and did not see any issues.
Not sure if mine has the gearbox issue Adam has [or doesn't have!] but I never saw water in my hull. I check every time I used the boat for any type of leaks- both fuel and water.
I am planning on mooring the entire season this year as my neighbors do with their Seadoo's.
I am still confused why a boat is not made to be in water
What is the difference in our fiberglass vs other boats?
Not sure if mine has the gearbox issue Adam has [or doesn't have!] but I never saw water in my hull. I check every time I used the boat for any type of leaks- both fuel and water.
I am planning on mooring the entire season this year as my neighbors do with their Seadoo's.
I am still confused why a boat is not made to be in water
What is the difference in our fiberglass vs other boats?
Adam X20
New Member
Look around the Marina...
BRP uses Marine Grade Fiberglas same as other boat Mfg'rs
Most Northern people launch their boats in the spring,
take them out in the fall. - (Fresh Water)
Fiberglass (Gel Coat without damage) has no problem remaining submerged in water. They make pools out of it too!
The drives leak on all boats, thats why an automatic bilge pump is there,
you must make sure your boat takes on "minimal" water.
Don't leave it alone for extended periods of time.
A wash at the beach every now and then will keep it clean.
No question the boat will be easier to keep clean if you take it out after each use, but that is not always practical.
The truth on "Blistering" known as OSMOSIS can be found on link below:
http://www.pcmarinesurveys.com/osmosis testing.htm
BRP uses Marine Grade Fiberglas same as other boat Mfg'rs
Most Northern people launch their boats in the spring,
take them out in the fall. - (Fresh Water)
Fiberglass (Gel Coat without damage) has no problem remaining submerged in water. They make pools out of it too!
The drives leak on all boats, thats why an automatic bilge pump is there,
you must make sure your boat takes on "minimal" water.
Don't leave it alone for extended periods of time.
A wash at the beach every now and then will keep it clean.
No question the boat will be easier to keep clean if you take it out after each use, but that is not always practical.
The truth on "Blistering" known as OSMOSIS can be found on link below:
http://www.pcmarinesurveys.com/osmosis testing.htm
don't sink
New Member
The great debate continues... Exactly why can't our boats stay in the water for long periods of time? Salt water I can understand- that's not good for any boat. But fresh?
hawkpilot6060
New Member
I left mine in all last summer.....
Hey guys,
I left my 97 challenger in last summer, and now plan on leaving my 05 challenger in the slip as well. I had no issues last year, and shouldnt have any this year either, it's a boat. I do plan on keeping an eye on it, and taking it out once in a while for a good cleaning. I have a house on the lake with a dock so I don't plan on taking it in and out everyday! lol. Any hoo, good to hear all the different view points and that is how you learn stuff! Thanks for all the info! Adam X20, i think you are correct!! Rick
canandaigua lake, ny
Hey guys,
I left my 97 challenger in last summer, and now plan on leaving my 05 challenger in the slip as well. I had no issues last year, and shouldnt have any this year either, it's a boat. I do plan on keeping an eye on it, and taking it out once in a while for a good cleaning. I have a house on the lake with a dock so I don't plan on taking it in and out everyday! lol. Any hoo, good to hear all the different view points and that is how you learn stuff! Thanks for all the info! Adam X20, i think you are correct!! Rick
canandaigua lake, ny
Ryan818
New Member
Thanks for the additional responses. I had asked this before but I didn't get many responses. I do not see how all these other people leave their boats in the water. I do not think all these people paint the bottom of their boats. I also do not see why BRP (or any boat mfg.) would make a boat that could not be left in the water. I did read the osmosis article. Plus, isn't the bilge automatic? If the boat sinks that is what insurance is for.
Launching the boat is not the problem. The problem is driving it down narrow streets (Sharpsburg for DR.H) to get it to the river. Plus if I want to take it out for a few hours after work I do not want to have to spend a few hours going home, hitching up, driving there, launching, parking etc., etc. Plus when you take it out for the night I really do not want to be messing around at 11pm trying to pull on a trailer. And most likely I'll be taking trailering it to my cabin and other lakes.
I was looking for some answers from people whom left their boats in the water, fresh of course, and what happened or didn't happen. Dr. H, craig, have you personally experienced these problems? Just asking. I know a lot of people who just hear things and spread it as gospel without actually having the experience first hand.
Plus, I already have the hydrogen tanks. They are mounted next to my nitrous.
Launching the boat is not the problem. The problem is driving it down narrow streets (Sharpsburg for DR.H) to get it to the river. Plus if I want to take it out for a few hours after work I do not want to have to spend a few hours going home, hitching up, driving there, launching, parking etc., etc. Plus when you take it out for the night I really do not want to be messing around at 11pm trying to pull on a trailer. And most likely I'll be taking trailering it to my cabin and other lakes.
I was looking for some answers from people whom left their boats in the water, fresh of course, and what happened or didn't happen. Dr. H, craig, have you personally experienced these problems? Just asking. I know a lot of people who just hear things and spread it as gospel without actually having the experience first hand.
Plus, I already have the hydrogen tanks. They are mounted next to my nitrous.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
OK.... First... I don't spread gossip. If you do a search, you will find at least a dozen threads saying... "Why did my boat sink? I thought the bilge was automatic."
Second... I fully understand that leaving it in the water is very convenient, but other boats... with an IO, or out board... they can tip the engines up, and get them out of the water. Very large boats (with prop shafts) will use a regular stuffing box as a seal, (or presure seals, or a greased seal pack) and they are designed to be wet all the time.
To answer your question... I've never had an issue personally with it, because I don't leave my stuff in the water. Heck... I don't even use a dock when I don't have to. My boat is small, so I just beach it. So... if I did leave it on the beach all night... It could only take on a few gallons. (where ever the water line is)
Anyway... you can do what you want. We are just trying to pass on some info.
Good luck, and have fun with it. :cheers:
Second... I fully understand that leaving it in the water is very convenient, but other boats... with an IO, or out board... they can tip the engines up, and get them out of the water. Very large boats (with prop shafts) will use a regular stuffing box as a seal, (or presure seals, or a greased seal pack) and they are designed to be wet all the time.
To answer your question... I've never had an issue personally with it, because I don't leave my stuff in the water. Heck... I don't even use a dock when I don't have to. My boat is small, so I just beach it. So... if I did leave it on the beach all night... It could only take on a few gallons. (where ever the water line is)
Anyway... you can do what you want. We are just trying to pass on some info.
Good luck, and have fun with it. :cheers:
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don't sink
New Member
My last boat sank- it was Larson I/O and the bellows in the transom gave out and down she went. It worked out to be a savior because of the $ I got from insurance allowed me to upgrade. That and a seller who was going through a nasty divorce and wanted to just get rid of the Utopia.
Sure, any boat left in the water can have a failure of the shaft output or whatever goes out of their boat. But NO ONE has given any real concrete info on why SeaDoos can not be left in fresh water for extended periods of time.
Trust me, if there is a good reason- I want to know! I never had water or blisters last year. The automatic pump did its job during rain and all was good.
Watch... my boat will sink this year with all my luck!
Sure, any boat left in the water can have a failure of the shaft output or whatever goes out of their boat. But NO ONE has given any real concrete info on why SeaDoos can not be left in fresh water for extended periods of time.
Trust me, if there is a good reason- I want to know! I never had water or blisters last year. The automatic pump did its job during rain and all was good.
Watch... my boat will sink this year with all my luck!
Why risk it? Seriously. It's your boat so do whatever you feel is right for you, but I could never see living my investment like that unprotected. It's like buying a brand new car and leaving it parked in a bad neighborhood for a few days. Chances are nothing will happen, but how pissed will you be if something does.
Straight for the owners manual,
"CAUTION, Never leave the boat stored in direct sunlight. UV radiation will dull finishes. The boat must never be left in water for storage.
Straight for the owners manual,
"CAUTION, Never leave the boat stored in direct sunlight. UV radiation will dull finishes. The boat must never be left in water for storage.
onebadcav00
New Member
anything is better than towing through sharpsburg.
Mike Smith 300-600
New Member
Leaving Sea Doo's In H2O
I leave my Speedster 150 on Long Island and in the water. One big problem is that my boat sunk TWICE!...Spent over $5,000 for a engine rebuild. Never has run the same. I had just brought the boat back to the dealer today to check for the reason. Bombardier will be contacted soon. The marina checks on the boat daily and they went past it in the morning of September, and it was fine. By afternoon it had sunk enough where the engine was once again submerged. They had to pickle the motor. I don't know what the outcome will be, but will know something in a week. I do know that rain water does not sink a boat at which I cover the boat as well. The bilge is automatic. Something catastrophic happens fast and nobody knows why. These boats are fine to keep in salt water for a season, people do it. I'm not driving 115 miles each way with my boat! It's so much better when docked. Just paint the bottom. I'll keep you posted. If the dealer can't help, then I have a letter to the attorney general and Bombardier as well ready to go. Sea Doo never mentions about taking these boats out of the water after every use. They do mention to wash the rear gate and impeller. The boats ''should'' be built for salt. Other then that, Sea Doo is a good boat and I like it's fresh water cooled system. Yamaha is salt water cooled and that's a big no for salt water down the road.
I leave my Speedster 150 on Long Island and in the water. One big problem is that my boat sunk TWICE!...Spent over $5,000 for a engine rebuild. Never has run the same. I had just brought the boat back to the dealer today to check for the reason. Bombardier will be contacted soon. The marina checks on the boat daily and they went past it in the morning of September, and it was fine. By afternoon it had sunk enough where the engine was once again submerged. They had to pickle the motor. I don't know what the outcome will be, but will know something in a week. I do know that rain water does not sink a boat at which I cover the boat as well. The bilge is automatic. Something catastrophic happens fast and nobody knows why. These boats are fine to keep in salt water for a season, people do it. I'm not driving 115 miles each way with my boat! It's so much better when docked. Just paint the bottom. I'll keep you posted. If the dealer can't help, then I have a letter to the attorney general and Bombardier as well ready to go. Sea Doo never mentions about taking these boats out of the water after every use. They do mention to wash the rear gate and impeller. The boats ''should'' be built for salt. Other then that, Sea Doo is a good boat and I like it's fresh water cooled system. Yamaha is salt water cooled and that's a big no for salt water down the road.
I think I would have learned my lesson after the first sinking. I hate to even leave it in the water overnight.
BMANN06
Well-Known Member
This is quite the debate!
I would not recommend leaving it in the water as per other posters misfortunes. That being said I do leave mine in the water. But I move to my cottage in the spring and live there, part of my morning ritual is to go have a coffee on the dock and make sure everythings cool. My boat gets taken out about 3-4 times monthly for fuel cleaning etc. When I leave the cottage for more than two days I take it out. I will say that you make sure your auto bilge circuit functions properly if you are going to leave it in. Mine will trigger with the perko off, TEST YOURS!! DON'T TAKE MY WORD ON IT as i've heard varying opinons on auto bilge.
There are 2 other doo boats on my lake, one with the merc and the other is a sportster (just like doc honda's old one) . I've seen the sportster underwater once and since then he parks it on the trailer. Haven't see the challenger sunk yet, not really looking to get into the arguement I'm just giving my .02 cents. :cheers:
I would not recommend leaving it in the water as per other posters misfortunes. That being said I do leave mine in the water. But I move to my cottage in the spring and live there, part of my morning ritual is to go have a coffee on the dock and make sure everythings cool. My boat gets taken out about 3-4 times monthly for fuel cleaning etc. When I leave the cottage for more than two days I take it out. I will say that you make sure your auto bilge circuit functions properly if you are going to leave it in. Mine will trigger with the perko off, TEST YOURS!! DON'T TAKE MY WORD ON IT as i've heard varying opinons on auto bilge.
There are 2 other doo boats on my lake, one with the merc and the other is a sportster (just like doc honda's old one) . I've seen the sportster underwater once and since then he parks it on the trailer. Haven't see the challenger sunk yet, not really looking to get into the arguement I'm just giving my .02 cents. :cheers:
BMANN06
Well-Known Member
Insurance is key (especially cheap insurance with good coverage) good point parrothd... all boats can/will sink. My wifey's uncle has a 19ft searay, he leaves it in too. Last year it was 3ft underwater .. a bellow in his outdrive picked up a stick and poked a hole in it causing water to come in when he trimmed up (what a PITA those are to change ... whole F/n' outdrive has to come off!!! :rant
Insurance is worth every penny and is very reasonable. I pay like $250 a year.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
In colder states, it's even cheaper. I was paying $100/yr for my sportster. ($50 deductible)
BMANN06
Well-Known Member
I have my boat insurance attached to my house insurance policy. This has pros and cons:
Pro's
Cheap premium - $15 dollars a month/$500 deductible
Awesome Coverage, 2 mill liablilty, full coverage on sinking, beaching, fire etc.
Con's
Well we all know what putting a house insurance claim can do, I do have one freeby at fault claim where my premiums won't go up. But I'll wait for something catastrophic to happen to use that one!
Pro's
Cheap premium - $15 dollars a month/$500 deductible
Awesome Coverage, 2 mill liablilty, full coverage on sinking, beaching, fire etc.
Con's
Well we all know what putting a house insurance claim can do, I do have one freeby at fault claim where my premiums won't go up. But I'll wait for something catastrophic to happen to use that one!
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