Moorage versus trailering

kevrangray

New member
I'm considering leaving my 22' Cruiser at the covered moorage on Lake Shasta versus keeping it on the trailer. Comparing the cost of diesel fuel along with the price of the ramp and parking, moorage is fairly comparable. I'm thinking only renting it for the summer months and come October pulling it out and trailering it. Just curious to see what others thoughts were. Any comments are welcome.
 
Kevin-

You'll probably use the boat more if it's already in the water!

Put everything you'll usually need aboard to make it that much easier, so you'll only need perishables, ice, and maybe some drinks.

On the other hand, going somewhere else other than the lake, becomes much harder, as you have to pull the boat first, etc.

If you just do the summer months, it's more affordable. I rent two slips year-round, and it adds up!

Another factor is that the (USUAL) summer weather around here is so hot that it shuts a lot of the fishing down, or somewhat off, so to speak. Spring and Fall (and Winter days w/o rain) are better fishing times. Bass fishing in Summer is best done from dusk to dawn. The trout are 60 to 75 or more feet down in the summer, and the King Salmon in the lake can be 100-125 feet down then, too.
(Dog Days of August = slow fishing!)

Swimming, skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing and tubing are great, however, with 78 degree fresh water.

This year the lake's going to be very full to start out with, and I don't think they'll draw it down a great deal, as there's water stored everywhere around the state.

Have Randi meet you with the kids when you get off work and go on up to the lake, you'll have several hours to have fun before it gets dark.

Then there's always the weekends, too!

Have fun, either way!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe,

Where do you keep your boats moored at? I've checked just about all of them in the area and the prices that I have found all range from 150-181 per month. This does take into consideration that all of these range from 8X20 to 9X22.

I believe that the beam on the 2005 22' Cruiser is 7'8". I did come across a moorage at Holiday Harbor that was 150.00 a month but the measurements are 8X20 and the C Dory is 22' long, so I'm not really leaning towards that one simply because it would have 2 feet of the boat that would not be covered. What are your thoughts on that?

Bridge Bay Marina was 181.00 per month for a covered slip that measures 9X22.

You also hit then nail right on the head when you said that if the boat is already on the water that I would use it more. Randi and I were just talking about that this morning. There is no driving to the house to get the boat then driving to the lake and such. I am pretty sure by doing this we would be on the water no less than once a week for sure.

How often do you have to take yours out of the water for regular maintenance to the bottom like paint, etc...

Let us know the next time that you are getting on the water and we will have to meet you out there.
 
A few notes/comments:
1) Your 22 is probably closer to 25' long from the tip of the anchor to the back of the engines. Many marinas will not allow the boat to hang out past the end of the slip and will charge you based on actual length when it's longer than the slip or slip length when the slip is longer. We found we often wound up in a 30' slip and payed the 30' rate.
2) You also need to figure in the cost of cleaning and bottom paint when you leave the boat moored. Also you probably want power hooked up and a battery charger to make sure the bilge pumps will operate if the boat is left moored and unattended for long periods of time. The power is an extra cost also (usually $10-20/month so not too much).
3) You may also incur additional maintenance costs if it is moored (more zincs, perhaps more corrosion depending on location).
4) You may experience more mold growth inside the boat if it is moored relative to on the trailer. This can be avoided if the boat has shore power and if you have a heater in the boat to keep it dry.

As Joe says, you'll use it more if it is moored where you want to use it. If not, there's more effort to take it elsewhere when it is moored. I had mine moored for about the first year but rapidly discovered that I wanted to fish in salt water and that it took longer to go from my fresh water moorage to the salt water via the locks than it did to trailer and launch it. Also, I find it a bit easier to load the boat with provisions for a weekend or longer trip when it's in my driveway.
 
Roger,

I'm thinking that I will only be leaving it out there thru September or possibly October. You think that this short amount of time will lead to a lot of maintenance cost? I'm okay with not taking it to any other lake because Shasta is the best lake around in this area, for what I will want to do on the water.


Thanks,

Kevin & Randi
 
kevrangray":17kq7bnp said:
Joe,

Where do you keep your boats moored at? Bridge Bay Resort, Marina I (next to the Pit River Bridge.) I've checked just about all of them in the area and the prices that I have found all range from 150-181 per month. This does take into consideration that all of these range from 8X20 to 9X22. I have a 10x22 ft slip for the C-D that's $206/month + $5 for a locker, and a second 12x28 ft. slip for the Sea Ray thats 243.30 + $10 for two lockers. That's $464.30 monthly.

I believe that the beam on the 2005 22' Cruiser is 7'8". I did come across a moorage at Holiday Harbor that was 150.00 a month but the measurements are 8X20 and the C Dory is 22' long, so I'm not really leaning towards that one simply because it would have 2 feet of the boat that would not be covered. What are your thoughts on that? Not too bad, since you're talking summer months. Just put a cover on the motor. The Sun will probably come in sideways in the morning or evening on half the boat anyway, unless you build a shaded doorway out of sun screen material. I did just that in the California Delta, partially to keep the Sun out, and partially to keep the Winter rains out. Not much fun worrying from 100 miles away whether your bilge pump is working! I like a slip on the North side of the marina, so the rain and Sun from the South are minimized. A south side slip can be both wet in Winter and super hot in Summer! I also like a slip close to an electrical outlet, the bathroom, shower, etc.

Bridge Bay Marina was 181.00 per month for a covered slip that measures 9X22. You're getting a good deal! They've got a lot of empty slips!

You also hit then nail right on the head when you said that if the boat is already on the water that I would use it more. Randi and I were just talking about that this morning. There is no driving to the house to get the boat then driving to the lake and such. I am pretty sure by doing this we would be on the water no less than once a week for sure.

How often do you have to take yours out of the water for regular maintenance to the bottom like paint, etc... The C-Dory is in the water from October till June, then replaced by our pontoon boat for the Summer. The Sea Ray stays in the water year-round, except for once every year or two when it comes home for major maintenance and to the mechanics shop to service the two V-6's and Mercruiser outdrives. My mechanic says he considers the Pettit Trinidad a "lifetime" antifouling paint job in fresh water, requiring only yearly touch up on vertical surfaces and trim tabs. He's right, as far as I can tell!
Let us know the next time that you are getting on the water and we will have to meet you out there. Will do!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
kevrangray":3qwri7m9 said:
Roger,

I'm thinking that I will only be leaving it out there thru September or possibly October. You think that this short amount of time will lead to a lot of maintenance cost? I'm okay with not taking it to any other lake because Shasta is the best lake around in this area, for what I will want to do on the water.


Thanks,

Kevin & Randi

Probably not a lot of maintenance costs but you will need bottom paint and it will need to be redone about once a year. That plus the cleaning costs may negate the costs "saved" in fuel towing it back and forth.
 
Kevin-

The biggest negative about moorage is the cost of gas at the marina. It was $4.75 when the cost at the gas station was $3.00! Could be $6/gal now! :smileo

They make a killing on the houseboat rental fleet when the renters come in at the end of a week! :lol:

Get a 5 gallon can or two and "brown bag" it! :lol:

My Sea Ray holds 120 gallons or $600 at $5/gallon. Not pocket change, but not all that much compared to the cost monthly of two slips! :lol:

On Edit: Just noticed Roger's great comments! (Couldn't see them while typing a response or two!) Thanks, Roger!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe,

Is the paint on the bottom of the C Dory's all "Pettit Trinidad"? I'm thinking that is what you meant correct? Just asking because the only thing about the paint that I know about is that it is a gel coat. I'm not real sure on the brand of the paint or anything but I'm guessing that it is made by Pettit Trinidad.

As far as the gas cans go, I have 2 five gallon cans that I was telling Randi that we would be filling and taking with us each time we go so that the tanks pretty much stay full and we are not having to pay the price at the boat ramp.

I think we are going to go with the Bridge Bay Marina (9X22 for 181.00) over the Holiday Harbor (8X20 for 150.00) a month.

Have you had anything stolen or damage to your boat since you have had it moored at the Bridge Bay Marina?

How many bumpers do you have on yours? Only asking because I only have two that are on one side and will need to be upgrading to at least two per side.


I installed a Canon Electric Downrigger not to long back so I'm ready for this summer when the salmon head down 125'. I'll have to let you know when I'm going out to see if you want to come out with me to either catch/feed the fish (guess it depends on how lucky we get).


Thanks again,

Kevin & Randi Gray
 
kevrangray":17mazuoc said:
Joe,

Is the paint on the bottom of the C Dory's all "Pettit Trinidad"? I'm thinking that is what you meant correct? Just asking because the only thing about the paint that I know about is that it is a gel coat. I'm not real sure on the brand of the paint or anything but I'm guessing that it is made by Pettit Trinidad. I have the Petit Trinidad on the Sea Ray. It was applied there for a former owner, years ago! I touch it up on the sides, bow, and trim tabs once every year or two. It grows more algae on the vertical surfaces that get strong sunlight. The real underside bottom doesn't get so much light, so not too much grows there. Freshwater is much lower in the number of organisms that can grow on your boat compared to saltwater, especially tropical saltwater. (Heck, a person ought to be able to grow enough stuff on the bottom of a boat in tropical waters to subsist on!) The C-Dory has a different brand paint, but also copper based. I had someone barrier coat the bottom with epoxy and do the original anti-fouling paint job. I re-do it myself on the roller trailer, now. You can probably scrub the bottom every few weeks yourself in the warm summer water of the lake and not have to go into the expense of barrier coating and anti-fouling painting the boat. This could save you $1200-$2000! My first job cost me $1200+ around the year 2001, and one outfit wanted $3000 for a triple barrier coat and three coats of anti-fouling paint.

As far as the gas cans go, I have 2 five gallon cans that I was telling Randi that we would be filling and taking with us each time we go so that the tanks pretty much stay full and we are not having to pay the price at the boat ramp. Good!

I think we are going to go with the Bridge Bay Marina (9X22 for 181.00) over the Holiday Harbor (8X20 for 150.00) a month. Bridge Bay is also a lot easier and quicker to get to! (7-8 miles closer, and 10-12 minutes.} It's the only really convenient marina to Redding on the lake!

Have you had anything stolen or damage to your boat since you have had it moored at the Bridge Bay Marina? Someone stole a 50 ft Marinco power cord and 30 to 15 amp adapter two months ago. I was in an unlocked foot locker that I use as a step to get up into the boat. That's the only thing in 6-7 years. My fault for not locking it up!

How many bumpers do you have on yours? Only asking because I only have two that are on one side and will need to be upgrading to at least two per side.
4 are usually adequate.


I installed a Canon Electric Downrigger not to long back so I'm ready for this summer when the salmon head down 125'. I'll have to let you know when I'm going out to see if you want to come out with me to either catch/feed the fish (guess it depends on how lucky we get).


Thanks again,

Kevin & Randi Gray
 
We had our 25ft seaswirl in lake washington for yrs from april-dec never painted the bottom just clean it with a brush when swimming brought it home for winter . We didnt have extra maintenance on her .

Now we keep our cc-23 in the water in Naples ,fl. I usually pull her out twice a yr for 100hr maintenance and bottom paint and zincs . You will use it much more then trailering for sure.If I had to trailer always I would sell the boat period.
 
jennykatz":y8vuqzzl said:
We had our 25ft seaswirl in lake washington for yrs from april-dec never painted the bottom just clean it with a brush when swimming brought it home for winter . We didnt have extra maintenance on her .

Now we keep our cc-23 in the water in Naples ,fl. I usually pull her out twice a yr for 100hr maintenance and bottom paint and zincs . You will use it much more then trailering for sure.If I had to trailer always I would sell the boat period.

I believe the water in Lake Washington is probably colder than that in Shasta but I could be wrong. What matters most is the temperature of the water in the location that the boat is moored. Of course, salt water has different stuff growing in it than fresh and barnacles etc. are harder to remove than just algae.
 
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