Trailering vs docking...

[charlie_the_tuna]

So I’m about to take possession of my next boat. It’s a hydra sports 2400CD. It’s sitting on a tandem aluminum trailer that needs a bit of work. My close ramp is less than half a mile drive. The next one is about 4 miles.
So I want to trailer the boat and my wife wants to rent dock space. Both have advantages but the main one I see is the boat/motor will last longer if hosed down and flushed after every use. Vs dock space which if I’m lucky, I’m looking at a minimum $1,500 plus for the season. In addition, most private dock space by me is in canals, which are pretty stagnant. Tons of errant charge flowing and the zincs get eaten up pretty quickly as well as the hull growth.
What do you guys prefer? I have little or no practical experience trailering, but I figure I’ll pick it up.
SO??

Oh, I have a relatively narrow street and I’ll be backing into a relatively long and narrow driveway.

[Destroyer]

As you said, both have pros and cons.

Docking

Pros: Convenience. Load up with your tackle and food, get in and go.

Con: The obvious con for docking is the cost(s) involved. Dock rental fee, more engine maintenance, shorter engine life, various fees for putting in and taking out the boat, Storage fees during the winter months unless you put her on the trailer and park and cover her in your driveway. And don't forget that fuel usually costs more at a fuel dock than at a service station.

Trailering:

Pro: Less cost overall.

Con: You have limited trailering experience. So you will have a learning curve on tight streets and a long driveway. DMV registration fees. Trailer maintenance. Launching and retrieving your boat at the end of the day. You are buying a 24' boat. Do you have someone to help you with the launch/retrieve process? (Not 100% necessary but it sure helps). Launch fees at the ramp.

I'm sure I've forgotten a few here and there, but you get the gist. If it were me (and it has been in the past) I would still go with trailering. Practice trailering in an empty parking lot. Backing up is a skill that requires patience and practice. You will need to be looking in your mirrors all the time, and you have to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of what you would think is proper. If comes with time and practice.

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[phatdaddy]

Do u mean actually keeping the boat in the water or a dry storage marina?

[charlie_the_tuna]

It would most likely be a private home, but yeah. Keeping it in the water for the season. There are people who have 2, 4, 6 or more slips in their backyards and rent them out. Some supply water and electric. Some don’t.

[phatdaddy]

I think I would trailer

Not that hard to do, if u have room to store at your house.

Easier to work on, easier to load, easier knowing it s not sinking

[charlie_the_tuna]

I agree with those points and as D said, it will last longer. Plus I wouldn’t have to worry about water intrusion. And any water intrusion that occurred earlier would hopefully drain and dry, after some time.