Trailering vs docking...

[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?