195CC Owner Looking for Slip/Maintenance Tips

[BostonFisher]

Hi Everyone!

I'm about to pick up my 2005 195CC (w/ Suzuki 140 4 stroke) from a dealer in Massachusetts and I plan on keeping it in a saltwater slip next summer. I was wondering if anyone had advice on general maintenance for a Triumph when you keep it in a slip. The dealer will paint the bottom. I plan on running fresh water through the engine after I take it out and hosing the boat/engine down after each use (based on advice I found on this site). Anything else I need to watch out for? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[OspreyVic]

BostonFisher, welcome to the site.

I will be the first to tell you I know NOTHING about leaving a boat in salt water. I have spent enough time at boat dealers and boat repair shops to see what has happened to many a boat – yes all glass boats, from 35 feet to 17 feet.

My boat is on a trailer and we brought it home in April of 2005. She looks as good today as she did then and a pressure washer is all we use to clean her. Last week at a boat repair shop were two boats that sank at their pier, a 22 and a 29 ft., and I guess someone was on vacation or to busy to make sure all was OK. There was a 35 that had been taken out for cleaning. The 35 was nine (9) months old and looked like it was much older – like 10 or more years.

Even if I was real lucky and won the lottery, I would still want any boat of mine out of the water, and under cover if possible, when not in use. The minimum would be a covered lift.

The salt in the air combined with the moisture, will just do all it can to make a new boat old. A boat in a slip would sure be more convenient, but keep track of your speed as compared to your rpm’s the longer the boat sits in water. At least with your 195 the colors will not be fading like a glass boat.

Well, that is just my 2 cents. The 195 is a great looking craft and life is too short not to enjoy it.

[Procon]

Comparing a 35 to a 195 is comparing apples to a grapefruit.....
Not sure you could simply garage a 35 foot boat.

Tips for BostonFisher would be if kept in water, keep the motor tilted up out of the water. Ensure boat has no leaks to prevent bilge pump(s) from cycling constantly. Make sure to have enough battery power to cover your absence to run the bilge pump, one or two days of heavy rain is all it takes for the battery to start getting low from running the bilge pump. Remove all gear not being used from the boat to keep extra weight out of the boat, this helps keep scuppers higher from the waterline. You mentioned your dealer will bottom paint the boat, have them put on a protective barrier coat on the sonar transducer, this will prevent marine growth from overwhelming your sonars' eyes and ears. Inspect protective anodes regulary. Some folks like to spray under the cowling with a hard film type corrosion preventative, Boeshield is the first that comes to mind. Periodically check the boats condition when moored. Marina help can do a daily check, friend or yourself, just make sure you know the status of the boat. Use quality mooring lines that are chaffe resistant and strong enough to handle tide, boat wake or water current movement, cheap docklines wont cut it over time.

If I was real lucky and won the lottery, I would definately want a large in the water kept boat simply because the lottery money could let me afford to maintain it the way a boat should be.

FYI BostonFisher, It's a added exspense to paint the boat bottom, and due to the hull material, Triumph says it is not necessary, can be done, but not necessary. Triumph states to clean the bottom from marine growth is to use a high pressure washer. Good luck!

[OspreyVic]

Procon, I sure agree with your statement: "Comparing a 35 to a 195 is comparing apples to a grapefruit....." but in our area they do have places that have indoor storage for up to a 40 foot boat and with a lift capacity of 50 tons.

I was just trying to say, and I did a bad job of it, that regardless of size, keeping a boat in a salt water slip is hard on everything.

[BostonFisher]

Guys - thank you both for your advice I really appreciate it. I plan on keeping this boat for a long time so I'll be taking all of your advice. The note about the battery running down due to the bilge pump worries me a bit. I travel a lot for work so there could be one or two weeks in row when I don't take it out. I guess I'll have to stop by after a big rain and run the engine for a bit to charge it up. My model comes with dual batteries so that should help.

I realize it's better for the boat to keep it on a trailer but I don't have anywhere to store a trailer close to where I live and boat so a slip is my only option.

Thanks!

[Procon]

Your options there BostonFisher would be to install an onboard battery charger that you could leave plugged in to shore power (or 125V dock power), that way it wouldnt be a concern and your batteries will love you for it and be ready at your whim.

Nowday's, onboard chargers are fully 3 stage automatic, so no worries leaving them plugged in and on all the time as they will bulk charge, then top off charge, then go into a maintenance mode. Some onboard chargers can also serve dual purpose as a 12V power supply to run items such as pumps for livewells and bilge. Charles 2000 series dual bank automatic Marine UL listed charger is the first one that comes to mind.

Best of luck!

On a sidebar note: Most owners that moor, usually have high water bilge alarms. Triumph is a Genmar product, Gemar FirstMate program has a service that provides you status of your boat left in the water, something to consider. Installing a high water bilge alarm on the boat as a dedicated unit (Rule Industries makes one) may be another option. This basic set up utilizes a float switch and a small 2 1/2 inch dial head unit with built in loud alarm, if water rises to a pre-determined point to where the float switch is and trips it, it sets off an audible alarm. At the dock, that should draw attention.

Regards and best of luck.

[obiyodan]

hey Bostonfisher....i bought a 195cc in Feb. and put it in a slip in April until Sept. here in Wilmington,NC....very warm water...the hull withstood marine growth surprisingly well...my marina had large forklifts and would pull it out at any time for me to clean it....once a week to once every two weeks was all that was needed to keep it clean(scrubbed it with a hard-bristled brush)...had a fair amount of rain,and being that the bilge will run with the batteries in the off position,i had no issues with the batteries dying....definitely keep the motor up.....a good freshwater rinse after taking it out(can also rinse the motor in the up postion)was sufficient...only problem i encountered was the 12volt receptacle...have replaced a couple of them....they seem to corrode easily,even with the rubber plug installed..if you have any questions,drop me a line

[jtowery1]

Originally Posted by obiyodan

hey Bostonfisher....i bought a 195cc in Feb. and put it in a slip in April until Sept. here in Wilmington,NC....very warm water...the hull withstood marine growth surprisingly well...my marina had large forklifts and would pull it out at any time for me to clean it....once a week to once every two weeks was all that was needed to keep it clean(scrubbed it with a hard-bristled brush)...had a fair amount of rain,and being that the bilge will run with the batteries in the off position,i had no issues with the batteries dying....definitely keep the motor up.....a good freshwater rinse after taking it out(can also rinse the motor in the up postion)was sufficient...only problem i encountered was the 12volt receptacle...have replaced a couple of them....they seem to corrode easily,even with the rubber plug installed..if you have any questions,drop me a line

I am considering a Triumph, and would be trailering however I thought they were unsinkable especially if the drains on the deck were not blocked. self bailing and all ? So maybe someone can enlighten me!

[jtowery1]

Obiyodan,
I also boat in the Wilmington area (Southport/Oak Island) how is your ride working out, I am looking to buy next year. Fish out of a small 16' Alum. boat now. Wanting to fish inshore as well as lite offshore maybe 10-15 miles weather permiting and proper safety equipment, what do you think after having one awhile now? Thanks in advance for your input.

[obiyodan]

things are good with the boat...some small issues but satisfied.....very tough boat....and i have regularly taken it out 25 to 30 miles in 2 to 3 ft seas and its has performed very well....could use a bit more deadrise...i wouldn't go with anything but a yamaha....i have a 150hp 4 stroke and have not had on problem with it....fuel economy was very good as well(over 4 mpg at times...3600 rpm cruising) ...and a top speed around 50mph unloaded....