Launched...finally
 

Finally got her floating. In a new place this year, Manasquan River Club. I got the "cheap" dock at $2350. My old marina was bought by Hoffman's and the rent went to $4000 from $1800.

Launched at 6:30 PM and went out to find some fish. Plenty of bunker in 55 ft. We fished 4 live bunker til 8 PM, NO BITES, then went to the mouth of the inlet to catch a few small blues in light tackle.

Tied up to new dock in the dark. Floating dock. Totally different than my old setup. Hope its right. Got a nagging feeling I forgot something.

Wow that is a hell of an increase.....they HAD to lose a bunch of customers I would think.

I have that feeling all the time...

That's why I put the drain plug in the night before.

Congrats on you launch!

rkc

Good job Skunk, good luck with the new place.

Oh and send me your contact cell info with your real name if you have not already, do it with a PM

Looks good, Skunk...so is there enough slack to pull the boat back to the dock to board it?...I guess no finger docks is why they can keep their rates low...:head:

Had to use a spring line, which I never used before(except on a 550 ft destroyer). I like to back in so the thing they suggest is use a 2x6 plank to the swim platform to board. (hence i finally mounted a swim platform)

Its actually ALOT easier to board than at my old dock, which had a 4-5ft tide (and ripping current) and no finger dock. I used weights on pulleys for the bow lines so I could pull it close. I backed stern to dock and motor up, At low tide the motor went under the dock and I literally jumped down into the boat. The worst was mid tide where the motor hit the dock...that's a long stretch!

Don't think they wanted riff-raff like me in a 20fter. My old dock was renovated and became a commercial dock(little scallopers and the like)

Thought I did but doesn't show in "Sent" folder so I sent another, which still doesn't show in sent folder...????

I used to have a slip like that, and the only advice I can give is be sure the rings on the pole can't reach the bottom at low tide and get caught on the L that meets the pole.I've seen many boats at that marina get hung up and take water, and sink.I had a rope tied from the top that let the rings only slide so much before they could get caught on the bottom.If the rings are small enough you should be good.

2 x 6?...I'd be more of a 2 x 10 or 12 kinda guy...and definately backed in as you say...amazes me when folks leave their boats w/stern exposed...:head:

...and thanks for puttin' in the time aboard that 550 footer...:clap:

I was gonna comment on the spring line.. I know exactly what you mean, and for the same reasons. Thank you for your service. :beer:
It's amazing to me that people actually pay 4 grand for a small slip like that. It's why my girl sits on her trailer....it's cheaper, I don't have to worry about people stealing things off her when I'm not around, or storms driving her into a dock and damaging her. Grats on the splashdown. :clap:

Changed the line setup. Had the stern lines crossed over the motor but I HATE that! So I added breast lines that can slide, then shortened the stern lines and uncrossed them. Lengthened the spring lines to reach the stern cleats instead of tying them to the aluminium hardtop. I like it a lot better.