Advice needed on storing boat in Florida - Part 2
Here's how far I got.
Called Gator Creek marina in Punta Gorda and found that storage there
is $9.00 a foot per month, too high for 10 months a year, but they are
a full service marina and that includes daily in and out of water.
Storage is outside since Charley tore them down, but they'll have a
3-sided barn completed soon.
Might be useful if I ever have to rent a home/condo with no dock and
just keep the boat there while I'm in Florida.
The Gator Creek fellow mentioned All American storage in Port
Charlotte so I called there and found there rates are $2.00 a foot
outside, $4.00 a foot inside. Not bad at all. The lady there said
they're at the north end of the harbor and about a 30-45 minute run to
Punta Gorda.
So the storage part of my plan is do-able. I'll have to look at the
facilities and keep location in mind with regard to hurricanes and
insurance. I'll try to check out some inland locations and see if
it's better to go that way considering costs and getting the boat
trailered to water.
The Gator Creek fellow, who was real helpful, asked if I would have a
lift, and mentioned the boat would get fouled after sitting in the
water for 3 days.
I didn't want to waste his time, so I didn't ask him a million
questions while he was on the clock.
I'll ask here.
Does fouling occur when the boat is used daily?
My next step is to call my State Farm insurance agent and see if they
will insure a boat used and stored in Florida. I have a home and 4
cars insured with them in Illinois, but that might not matter.
One thing I've noticed when looking at boats on the web is that
I keep wanting a bigger boat. I started thinking a 16' Carolina Skiff
would do, but I'm up to a 19' DLX in just one day.
What's that all about?
Same with motors. From 30hp 2-stroke to 50hp Honda in one day.
Curious.--Vic |
Vic
Oct 31
2006
|
| Don't judge too quickly. As I recall they gave me an
accurate quote from the web site. When I had a claim they
were responsive and generous. -rick- |
-rick-
Nov 2
|
| Nice looking boat - And thanks :-) Capt Jack R.. |
Jack
Nov 2
|
| --Vic |
Vic
Nov 2
|
| A friend of mine owns this boat: http://tinyurl.com/y4lqo4
which, as you can see, can be powered with up to 285 hp. He has a Honda 90,
4 stroke, on it. He's happy with it, even though it's not the speediest
boat on the bay. It will plane, but not quickly. He cruises comfortable at
about 18-20 mph, and has no desire to go a lot faster. He does a lot of
trolling, gets good gas economy, and is most satisfied. Your philosophy works. |
JohnH
Nov 2
|
| Thanks for the link. Yeah, I have thought about that. Was going to
ask about it in Part 3 when I get there, but it's never too early to
learn.
I always buy used cars because I'm a good judge of them, and
can work on them. Used is always good value if you know what you're
buying.
But I know diddly squat about boats, and won't be able to work on the
boat I get. Right now I'm just plain scared of a used one. That
could change if get comfortable with the prospect. Big buck
difference. And I can find countless other ways to spend bucks. --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| Sounds like a good reason not to buy one |
gfretwell
Nov 1
|
| Sounds reasonable, I have a 20ft pontoon setup for lake fishing with a
60 merc EFI 4 stroke. This thing just sips gas and is small enought to
run slow trolling. The pontoon is rated for up to a 90. But I am happy I
went with the 60. Capt Jack R.. |
Jack
Nov 2
|
| The problem gets to be that one does not really know how any power/boat
package is going to be until they try it and see if it performs as one
wants for the intended use. I think going with the max HP just because
one can is foolish. Unless that is what makes the package when the
purchaser wants. Of course one does not want to have a under powered
boat either. But consider this. Lets say you know that a boat will perform the way you want with Xhp.
Plane good (no struggeling) and get you where you want to go in the
fashion you enjoy. But the boat is also avaiable with twice the HP that you feel you would
be confortable with. You may end up paying more for gas. More for
insurance. And more for maintance only to get maybe slightly more as
resale. Beleive me most of this stuff depreciates pretty good. When one
pays say 35k for a boat package with the max hp and could have gone for
30k with somthing that would have made them just as happy. 10 years
later the price difference is not going to be that big. So the trick is to get the combination that you need. Not what someone
else needs. Capt Jack R.. |
Jack
Nov 2
|
| The premium is likely to be more with Boat US but you will be dealing
with a company that writes marine insurance and understands boats. If you ever have a claim, that makes a huge difference in how things
get handled. Many years ago I insured one of my old sailboats with
State Farm because they had good rates. Long story follows but it was
a big mistake. |
Wayne.B
Nov 1
|
| --Vic --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| That means the policy doesn't cover it. She knows it. That's not unusual.
Many people get insurance on their boat via a simple rider on their home
policy, but don't realize that it does not cover fuel spills or
environmental issues. It is not covered under your personal liability
coverage either. My opinion is that it is a mistake not to have fuel spill coverage. A
marine insurance underwriter will know exactly what it is and it will be
included ... usually around 500K worth. If your boat sinks or submerges and the fuel leaks, the fines can be huge.
The feds do the clean up and then come looking for you for reimbursement. Eisboch |
Eisboch
Nov 1
|
| BTW, Vic, you should be aware that it is technically a fineable offense to
spill as much as a drop of gas, oil, or diesel fuel .... anything that
leaves a visible sheen on the water. It's not religiously enforced, but is
still the law. We had a boat at our marina that was leaking diesel fuel into the bilge.
The bilge pump was, in turn, pumping it into the water everytime it turned
on. The slick was obvious and the Coast Guard and Environmental Police
showed up and started laying out floating barriers to isolate and identify
the offending boat. Eisboch |
Eisboch
Nov 1
|
| --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| Look at the displacement to get the basic block size. That will be the
big jumps in price. Then the difference is going to be the way it
breathes.
Fuel economy really depends on how fast you go on these new EFI
motors. They sip gas at low RPMs no matter which size you choose. The
power comes from jamming more gas down the pipe.
Old 2 strokes were not that efficient at lower RPMs.
I know some dealer mechanics and they told me they really have as much
trouble with the Honds as they did the new Merc (the dealer handled
both). The Merc is really a Yamaha design anyway. I went with the Merc
because I had good luck with my Merc/Mariner 1989 75 2 stroke. (also a
Yammy design). I had over 3000 hours on that one when I sold it and it
was still going strong. (paid $3100, sold for $500)
I have over 1500 hours on a 2002 and I am still smiling |
gfretwell
Nov 1
|
| I called my local State Farm agent who put me on to a Punta Gorda
agent, as required. Called the Punta Gorda agent and got this quote:
15k value 19' boat with 90hp
1k deductible.
2k personal property
100k liability
5k per person medical
Wind and flood is included.
$275 per year. A coast guard boat handling license will get a discount, but I forgot
to ask how much and left a message for her to call me back.
I do intend to get that license.
Then we chatted about boating down there. Not surprisingly,
she elevated my boat fever with her talk of her own experiences down
there. Her and her husband have an 18' Mako and go through Boca
Grande pass to the Gulf often when the weather is right. The pass
itself is pretty rough, but the Mako is fine in the Gulf in good
weather. I mentioned the CS is flat-bottomed and she said "uh-oh
I forgot that on the quote.
$313 per year. Anyway, given that quote and since I've been satisfied with State Farm
for 30 years, my inclination is to go with them. But I welcome other
opinions about boat insurance.
$21 more per year will bump the liability to 300k. --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| The motor is probably going to be my biggest decision. I normally do
all my auto work, but the logistics of having a boat away from home
are going to present a maintenance problem.
EFI with good sensors and computer control might be the biggest step
in engine improvement seen, but the Hondas are still using venturis
and I've read about these giving some owners a problem. --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| Maybe not a big issue with that size boat, but you should ask if you are
covered for fuel spills. Eisboch |
Eisboch
Nov 1
|
| How much covereage is included for environmental fines and cleanup? CWM |
Charlie
Nov 1
|
| Check out BoatUS. You get a yacht policy. Covers oil spills, and is an
agreed value policy. They do not discount the value if total loss. |
Calif
Nov 1
|
| This type of thing helps, too, if you take the time to learn what it means
relative to YOUR local situation. "The thunderstorms are 90 miles away" has
a different meaning here than wherever you live. http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=BUF®ion=a5&lat=43.16880035&lon=-77.60273743&label=Rochester%2c%20NY |
JoeSpareBedroom
Nov 1
|
| Every time I'm down there in the summer to visit my dad, who lives in |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| Somebody might convince me on 50, 75 or 90. But it'll take some
convincin'. (-: --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| Speed alone? What I'll want to know is if the 50 will get me on plane |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| For the Honda it's a $1500 bump to the 75, and another $750 to the 90.
That's MSRP, so the actual bumps will be less. --Vic |
Vic
Nov 1
|
| Yes but not as much as when it sits. You can get barnicles starting in |
gfretwell
Oct 31
|
| > |
Vic
Oct 31
|
| Without anti fouling paint? Absolutely. |
Wayne.B
Oct 31
|
| Yes and yes. You *must* have anti fouling paint on any boat that is |
Wayne.B
Oct 31
|
| Is the first coating there on a new boat, or will I have to do it |
Vic
Oct 31
|
| Got it. Thanks. --Vic |
Vic
Oct 31
|
| One of my neighbors does a lot of "feeshin" in a 14' jon boat, and
always ran a noisy old Chrysler 35 hp. then when it got to be too much
maintenence, he pryed his wallet open and bought a 35 hp. Nissan 4
cycle. His brother-in-law has about the same boat, with a 35 hp Evinrude
2-cycle. He says they will both run neck and neck , one not out
performing the other. But all of a sudden his brother-in-laws engine
quit. Out of gas (6 gal. tank). So my neighbor checked his fuel at the
same time hardly used 2quarts. your call
Vic Smith wrote: |
tschnautz
Oct 31
|
| I'm already pretty much set on a 4-stroke. What I said was in answer
to the suggestion I get max rating for the boat. The 19-footer I'm
looking at is rated 90hp. I'm thinking 50hp will cost less, suit my
needs, and use less gas. But I'm not sure about that. |
Vic
Oct 31
|
| You may want to see what boat you need based on where you want to
live. See what the neighbors have, particularly the ones who go out a
lot and do the kind of fishing you want to do.
Buying the wrong boat and taking a bath on it to buy the one you need
makes boating an expensive proposition. I don't want to be a downer
but the perfect boat in Punta Gorda Isles might not be the best choice
if you are 10 miles up into the estuary in Desoto County.
Personally I like the backwater and I do fine with a stripped down
pontoon boat but that is not really appropriate for open water and
Charlotte Harbor is very "open" down towards Boca Grande Pass.
The afternoon "breeze" off the gulf can really get that rock'n and
rollin.
I am south of Ft Myers on the Estero River, near Estero Bay so I have
miles of protected water to poke around in. I have been up in
Charlotte harbor/ Boca Grande a lot with my Pine Island buddies and we
are usually in a 23 or 26 foot boat. It can get ugly. The tarpon
fishing is awesome there tho. |
gfretwell
Oct 31
|
| That is my experience with my Merc EFI 4 stroke 60. I ran my pontoon
boat from my house in Estero to Captiva pass (South Seas) and back,
over 70 miles, on 11 gallons of gas. I doubt I could have got up there
and back in my car for much less (note:it is farther by road). |
gfretwell
Oct 31
|
| My neighbor has a 50 merc 4 stroke on a 19(sumpin) Carolina Skiff. He
wishes he had the 90. It is about 100 lbs heavier tho. The 50 Honda
has the advantage that it is very light . I think it came in about
80-100 less than my 60 (and his 50). You can really verify these
weights on the various manufacturer web sites. It has been almost 5
years since I did the shopping.
I bought a grey market motor from a web merchant (ITG marine) It is
the back door of a big dealer near Richmond Va and I had no problems
with the local dealers, in spite of what they want to tell you. The
service department still wants your business.
Basically a grey market motor is sold at the "bundled" price you would
get if you bought a boat and motor togerther. If you are getting them
at the same time it is not an issue. It might be important if you
found a nice hull with a junk motor or no motor at all.
My previous motor (1989 75 Mariner) I bought as a boat motor trailer
and I just wanted the almost new motor for the boat I had. The hull
was pretty good but I didn''t want it and pretty much gave it away.
(traded for a PC). It is a possibility |
gfretwell
Oct 31
|
| Oh, I know, Vic, I was simply comparing the newer 4 cycle, to the older
2 cycle. just for comparison. Don't know about the E-TECs and the like. Boat rated for 90 and you think 50 will do? Maybe, and maybe not. How
about splitting the difference with a 75? |
tschnautz
Oct 31
|
| I've been up there a few times in my 24 and usually end up turning
around because of the chop. |
Wayne.B
Oct 31
|
| Unless you pay the dealer extra it will not be done. Many people
around here store their boat in lifts or on trailers and don't need
bottom paint. >What's a ballpark figure for having it done on a 20-foot CS?
>How long does a good coating last? You could do it yourself for less than $100 but a dealer will charge
at least 2 or 3 times more. If you do it yourself, follow the prep
instructions carefully and use at least 2 coats. |
Wayne.B
Oct 31
|
| Usually there is not much of an advantage to a 75 compared to the 90.
They are generally the same motor as far as size and weight. The 90
just breathes better for a bit more money. |
gfretwell
Nov 1
|
| If the tarpon are biting it is worth the bounce ;-) |
gfretwell
Nov 1
|
| possibly. But i was wondering about the pricing difference between a 75
and a 90?
Not much? how abotu a 50 and the 75? |
tschnautz
Oct 31
|
| ITG who I got mine from says Merc 75 4 stroke is $6557, 90 is $7110.
~$600 difference. If you find out you can use a 13 7/8 x 15 prop I
have a stainless I couldn't use, new in the box. hubbed for a merc
http://www.marine-outboards.com/Mercury_Outboards_Boat_Motors_Pages/4-Stroke_Mercury_Outboards_Boat_Motors.htm |
gfretwell
Nov 1
|
| Snip: Have you considered a used boat? Take a look at:
http://boatstore.floridasportsman.com/ |
Fred
Nov 1
|
| Fouling occurs much faster in Florida than up north. I am not familiar with
the area you are in, but on the ICW, boats quickly acquire the famous
"moustache". When I had my boat down there (a 52 footer) I had the hull
cleaned by a diver once a month. Insurance is funny in Florida. They have laws that prevent out of state
underwriters to issue policies for property or cars registered in Florida.
You might have to use a local insurance company. Eisboch |
Eisboch
Oct 31
|
