Converting a trailer boat to live at a berth

Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote davidc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Converting a trailer boat to live at a berth
    Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 5:15pm
davidc View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 05 Mar 2021
Status: Offline
Points: 81
I've a 5.5m trailer boat with Yamaha 4 stroke engine, and find getting it on and off the trailer to be a hassle that keeps us from actually using it, so I've been thinking about keeping it at a berth instead.

Has anyone does this before, and what would be involved in making the boat suitable for staying on the water? Is it a terrible idea?

For example an automatic bilge pump would be useful to avoid that sinking feeling. Do they normally run off their own battery?

Thanks for any tips.

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 7:01pm
Pcj View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 27 Nov 2019
Location: papakura
Status: Offline
Points: 3566
where in the country you based? Westhaven would cost roughly $700pm rental + cost of antifoul non copper type, Might be better to sell and buy a small launch?
"Times up"
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 7:04pm
Mc Tool View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 23 Dec 2021
Location: Riverton
Status: Offline
Points: 461
I would think the extra maintenance would make getting it on and off a trailer look easy , to say nothing of security . I have above knee amputation  , cant wear leg in water , but I get my boat on and off by myself ( winch on   not drive on ). I usually try and time it when the ramp is not busy coz there is nothing fast about it .... usually go on week days .
. Even with my partner its pretty solo .... she dont back trailers or drive boats  but the jammy cow usually catches more than me ( she dont bait hooks either )and she catches weird stuff .... we had to buy a book to identify some of the critters she hauls up.
Is there a way you could improve technique?
Having said all that there are days when conditions are perfect .......but I just cant be arsed with all the faffin about  so I sorta know where your coming from.Smile
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 7:21pm
Pcj View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 27 Nov 2019
Location: papakura
Status: Offline
Points: 3566
Originally posted by Mc Tool Mc Tool wrote:

I would think the extra maintenance would make getting it on and off a trailer look easy , to say nothing of security . I have above knee amputation  , cant wear leg in water , but I get my boat on and off by myself ( winch on   not drive on ). I usually try and time it when the ramp is not busy coz there is nothing fast about it .... usually go on week days .
. Even with my partner its pretty solo .... she dont back trailers or drive boats  but the jammy cow usually catches more than me ( she dont bait hooks either )and she catches weird stuff .... we had to buy a book to identify some of the critters she hauls up.
Is there a way you could improve technique?
Having said all that there are days when conditions are perfect .......but I just cant be arsed with all the faffin about  so I sorta know where your coming from.Smile
Are we wife sharing??
"Times up"
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 7:53pm
Mc Tool View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 23 Dec 2021
Location: Riverton
Status: Offline
Points: 461
Ha ha ....  dunno , does yours get hysterical if she sees the bottom , or there's water in the outboard well ?LOL  until she gets a fish then its bloodthirsty stuff Censored.
LOLLOL
I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote davidc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 9:58am
davidc View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 05 Mar 2021
Status: Offline
Points: 81
$420 a month for a berth in Wellington.

Antifoul is something I hadn't thought of.

What other maintenance issues would I have to deal with?

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Reel Deal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 11:40am
Reel Deal View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 28 Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei
Status: Offline
Points: 3943
Maybe go a dry stack option. Safe and can even be cleaned for you before being stacked. Dropped straight in the water when you turn up just hop on and drive away. 
The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men's lives the hours spent on fishing - Assyrian Proverb
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote BotStomper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 12:03pm
BotStomper View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 14 Nov 2022
Status: Offline
Points: 99
It's a terrible idea. Keeping a boat in the water introduces all sorts of issues, especially ones that smaller boats are not well equipped to deal with.

Some time refining your launch/retrieval technique would probably pay dividends. Where are you launching it from anyway? If you're not super confident with the launching/retrieving part, membership of a club like Mana where the ramp is really good and there's a pontoon is probably going to be a much cheaper and simpler exercise than prepping the boat to live in the water full-time.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 1:04pm
Pcj View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 27 Nov 2019
Location: papakura
Status: Offline
Points: 3566
Originally posted by Mc Tool Mc Tool wrote:

Ha ha ....  dunno , does yours get hysterical if she sees the bottom , or there's water in the outboard well ?LOL  until she gets a fish then its bloodthirsty stuff Censored.
LOLLOL
We are wife sharing,I catch bugger all when I take her,bait the line,take fish off,rebait,slow down,its a bit choppy. "**** sake stay home in future" but she still comes out.Kind of have to her.Its her boat.So she keeps telling meThumbs Up
"Times up"
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote davidc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 2:13pm
davidc View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 05 Mar 2021
Status: Offline
Points: 81
I've never heard of a dry stack, that looks great. We're moving to Auckland later this year and I see a couple of marina there offer it.

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fish Addict Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 4:53pm
Fish Addict View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum


Joined: 05 Jul 2009
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
Points: 2485
Originally posted by davidc davidc wrote:

I've never heard of a dry stack, that looks great. We're moving to Auckland later this year and I see a couple of marina there offer it.
It doesn't come cheap though, $5K-6K per annum.
I think I'd firstly be reviewing if you are getting the best from your trailer setup, wobble centering rollers, side posts / guides etc and then look at your launch and retrieve technique.  Establishing a routine is what it's all about.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 4:58pm
Kandrew View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 3755
Which part is Auckland are you moving to, north south east or west Auckland.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Ho Dee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 5:31pm
Ho Dee View Drop Down
Silver
Silver
Avatar

Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Hamilton
Status: Offline
Points: 281
what about getting a balex auto loader if retrieval  is the problem
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 8:16pm
Kandrew View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 3755
Still the problem is when you come back in and the winds come up.

There are some great dry stacks in Auckland, ring them up and they put your boat in the water waiting for you to head out. Then when you come back, tie your boat up to the pontoon and they lift it give it a wash and put it back in the rack. Boat doesn’t need any anti foul.

Gulf harbour has a great dry stack, about $500 a month for a boat of that size.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 10:46pm
Mc Tool View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 23 Dec 2021
Location: Riverton
Status: Offline
Points: 461
Originally posted by Kandrew Kandrew wrote:



Gulf harbour has a great dry stack, about $500 a month for a boat of that size.


 
500 bucks Shocked! ( whats that in smackaroo's ) Blurryel , whats a balex thing cost, I mean 500 bucks a month is 6k bucks a year ( Im sure you can all work that out for yourselves but my point ........ )Big smile Nice but  for me a balex  wont help me as my main issue  and its very minor would be getting the boat to the point where either the winch or a balex can be engaged . I have the old fashioned  2 inch pipes with the plastic hose over them at the back of the trailer . Mostly I have to tie up at jetty and go get car  then I usually just pull the boat from jetty and on to trailer , pivoting on afore said pipes , with the painter and winch the last few feet
Actually  the amount of peeps offering a hand  is quite heart warming,  and welcome if its a bit tidal  ( I do try to leave just after low tide and get back near the top ) but I do like to do it myself  but I sorta got to temper that against how many peeps Im holding up , not that anyone has ever said anything .Smile I meet some nice people.
I do like fishing Big smile
I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fish Addict Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2023 at 11:20pm
Fish Addict View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum


Joined: 05 Jul 2009
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
Points: 2485
Sounds like you're doing it just fine to me.  If the more able bodied don't see it that way tell them to stfu, put their phones down and do something constructive by lending a hand.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote davidc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2023 at 11:27am
davidc View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 05 Mar 2021
Status: Offline
Points: 81
Probably north or east Auckland, don't have a place yet. Tamaki Marine Park do a dry stack for $450 per month.

Hadn't heard of a Balex before, thanks, will check it out!

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2023 at 12:17pm
Kandrew View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 3755
Originally posted by davidc davidc wrote:

Probably north or east Auckland, don't have a place yet. Tamaki Marine Park do a dry stack for $450 per month.

Hadn't heard of a Balex before, thanks, will check it out!

look up the OBC in Okahu bay down town Auckland, not a dry stack
But very easy launching and good boat storage. About a year’s waiting list.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2023 at 12:44pm
Pcj View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 27 Nov 2019
Location: papakura
Status: Offline
Points: 3566
Seems to be a problem now days. people impatient, wont lend a hand then abuse you for taking too long. Wife has a bad back so slow at doing things but the ramp we use they have volunteers to help keeping ramp running smoothly,will grab lines etc


"Times up"
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2023 at 1:48pm
Mc Tool View Drop Down
Silver
Silver


Joined: 23 Dec 2021
Location: Riverton
Status: Offline
Points: 461
I have seen to many times the guy who backs down the middle of A two wide ramp and then starts getting all the stuff outa the car while the que backs up .
On a lighter note ...maybe , there was this place in Havelock called the slip Inn , outdoor beer tables right at ramps edge . Everything that could go wrong eventually did , best arvo's entertainment ever ......so much so me and my brother got a bit pissed....sorta accidently coz we hung round so long and got well in the **** when we had to get his Mrs ( she hates me 😁) to come from Blenheim and get us .
I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time
Back to Top
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.322 seconds.

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Outer Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 04/10/24

Looking forward to warmer water Unfortunately, there’s not a heap to report on with only... Read More >

04 Oct 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Wellington Fishing Report - 04/10/24

Good snapper out west There are good numbers of gurnard around in Evans Bay and... Read More >

04 Oct 2024
Freshwater Fishing Reports
Rotorua Fishing Report - 04/10/24

Fish in good condition and trout sizes up With the opening of the trout season... Read More >

04 Oct 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Inner Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 04/10/24

Snapper slowing progress into the Gulf The last couple of weeks have been disappointing to... Read More >

04 Oct 2024
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites