Trailering vs docking...

[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.

[steplift20]

I prefer storing my boat close to the ramp so I don't have to how it 75 miles one way.keeping it in the water is very convenient but it also beats up your boat and motor Since your close to the ramp that's a plus but then after a day on the water who wants to struggle backing in your boat into a tight spot

[phatdaddy]

If you still have the Yukon XL and u add a 24 ft boat and trailer, your looking at a 50 ft footprint

[spareparts]

leaving the boat in the water is the worse thing you can do, figure quadrupling your service cost. Not even counting bottom paint, diving service, dock fees, etc...Dry stack is a hit or miss, some do a good job of taking care of your boat, some do not. If you use your boat on a busy weekend, make sure to have them put it back in during the following week, when they haul it out, it will a actually get flushed. Nothing gets flushed on a busy weekend. Boat lift is the next level, it puts the responsibility on you, but some things are out of reach to service or flush. Trailer is the best situation, but honestly, if you re not going to take the time to flush and wash, its not going to be much better. I've had customers after leaving slat water, will go put their boat in a fresh water ramp, take the boat for a quick spin while someone stays with the trailer on the ramp. Flushed the engine, knocks a lot of salt off, and gives the trailer a much needed bath. When I run my boat, I'll leave it in the water for the weekend, when I haul it out, it gets washed from stem to stern. Engine gets flushed thoroughly, I use salt away as well. trim system gets washed with soap and water. Then sprayed down with crc. Powerhead gets washed if i see and salt residue, then after it dries, it gets hosed down with CRC656 protectant. Trailer gets washed down with extra care on the springs and hubs

[bgreene]

If you don’t have the tolerance for all that goes with trailering / launch / retrieve ( and some risks) keeping boat in water will seem much better option.

So perhaps try one season of trailering and determine if it’s for you.
Then you’ll know what works best for you. Wife may agree too.

[SkunkBoat]

you mentioned WIFE.

Think about launching the boat with the wife. Recovering the boat with the wife. Parking the trailer with the wife.

When you have a dock, you pack your lunch and get on the boat. You will use the boat more and enjoy it more. You can use it for an hour. Your not going to trailer launch for a sunset cruise. You can go at 4am and catch the morning bite and still go to work.

Unless its really old and doesn't have a flush port, you can flush a motor at the dock. If its that old, you have more worries than flushing it.

Bottom paint is required. Does it already have bottom paint? If not you would need to do an epoxy bottomkote primer first. $$$

You are looking at private backyard dockage vs a marina. Its an inexpensive way to go but that has drawbacks too. Limited hours. Long no wake zones in canals. Dragging your stuff thru someone's backyard (in the dark). Parking on dead end streets in a neighborhood with canals... It helps if you are friends with the dock owner.

Trailer lights suck. Trailer brakes suck. Trailers suck the life out of you.

A 24' is not an easy pull.

I'm in the "dock it" camp. I docked my V20 for 17 years. Paid between $700 and $3200 a season depending on marina location, amenities, and supply.
Used the trailer twice a year and still always had problems. Trailers suck.

My Grady is too big to trailer. I pay $4500 a season to dock it in a marina one mile from open ocean. Pay $300 to have it hauled. Worth every penny.

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

you mentioned WIFE.

Think about launching the boat with the wife. Recovering the boat with the wife. Parking the trailer with the wife.

When you have a dock, you pack your lunch and get on the boat. You will use the boat more and enjoy it more. You can use it for an hour. Your not going to trailer launch for a sunset cruise. You can go at 4am and catch the morning bite and still go to work.

Unless its really old and doesn't have a flush port, you can flush a motor at the dock. If its that old, you have more worries than flushing it.

Bottom paint is required. Does it already have bottom paint? If not you would need to do an epoxy bottomkote primer first. $$$

You are looking at private backyard dockage vs a marina. Its an inexpensive way to go but that has drawbacks too. Limited hours. Long no wake zones in canals. Dragging your stuff thru someone's backyard (in the dark). Parking on dead end streets in a neighborhood with canals... It helps if you are friends with the dock owner.

Trailer lights suck. Trailer brakes suck. Trailers suck the life out of you.

A 24' is not an easy pull.

I'm in the "dock it" camp. I docked my V20 for 17 years. Paid between $700 and $3200 a season depending on marina location, amenities, and supply.
Used the trailer twice a year and still always had problems. Trailers suck.

My Grady is too big to trailer. I pay $4500 a season to dock it in a marina one mile from open ocean. Pay $300 to have it hauled. Worth every penny.

I'm with SkunkBoat. One caveat: How close is the dock to your house or to your commute? If your boat stays in the water you need to check on it OFTEN, preferably daily. And make sure you can haul it out when tropical systems threaten. Ask me how I know...

[phatdaddy]

Amen to what spare said. I pretty much do what he does every trip, except the trim assy soap and water. I noticed 2 years ago my trim motor was getting rusty, since then I hit real good with the salt away, but just buying a little time. Funny, on my 84 & 94 Mercs,never saw a spec of rust. Not so on the 2014.

If you want to see corrosion, go to Born Again Boaters on YouTube. He works at a marina in the keys

[bgreene]

Another option ….
1. buy a house on the water with a near perfect location to where you want to use the boat.
2. Have a dock with boat lift installed so you can keep it “ out of water”
3. Have fresh water line connection so you can rinse the boat off after each use and flush motor.

[Pipe_Dream]

So, Charlie . . . how's the boat?

This is still a forum about boats, isn't it?