In or out

Limey Linda · 07 March 2009, 02:14

Hi there
Wondering if anyone has had experience of keeping a RIB on a berth vs. launch/recovery. I have had mine on a berth for 4 months and have hauled it out every month for a few days for cleaning and maintenance. I have been spoilt as I can park my truck 40ft from the locked pontoon dock and the berth is only 30ft down the pontoon. The fact that my local pub is only 2 mins walk from the boat is not a factor.

However the amount of time spent on cleaning etc. is a couple of days each month and the cost of the berth is rather high at $240 US per month. I am considering keeping it in dry storage @ $70.00 US per month. (only 5 mins from launch ramp) on trailer and launch/recovery each outing which is about twice a week. I think I will spend about as much time launching and recovery as I spend saltwater related,cleaning etc. Launch/ recovery is $8.00 US inclusive.
Any thoughts ?

Ian M · 07 March 2009, 10:17

For me, I would keep it on the trailer. But I suspect that I have different constraints from yourself.
You say that the time (cleaning vs launching) approximately balances out, so that is not a deciding factor. The only issue here may be - can you always afford the time to launch before you go out each time; sometimes it is easier to get all the 'pain', in this case cleaning, over in one big hit each month.
Given that all the factors, except $, seem to cancel out, the factor for me would be that a boat on the water inevitably suffers greater degradation than if dry berthed, no matter how good the cleaning. Certainly this was the case with our club dive boat. So dry berthing/trailer gets my vote.

BogMonster · 07 March 2009, 10:36

I kept mine in the water when I first got it and found it was a PITA. It was great to be able to nip out for half an hour after work just jump in and go then tie up and be away home in 5 min, but having to go and check on it every day (while the berth was sheltered by the standards of others available here it would probably be considered exposed by most people) check lines were ok, pump out water etc etc was too much hassle for me and especially if the weather took a turn for the worst when I was continually worrying about it. The berth is no longer available but if it was I probably wouldn't bother even though the cost was next to nothing. Carting fuel cans up and down was a pain too - I just take the boat to the pump now which is easier.

Degradation of the boat was another thing that put me off - two months in the water and mine exploded so beware

Hightower · 07 March 2009, 11:34

If it were me, in an Ideal world I would keep the RIB in dry storage (yard or building) that has close easy access to a 24hr slip and keep it on a yard trailer with no maintenance worries ie: no brakes or bearings etc. This would keep things at minimum cost.

cyberstoker · 07 March 2009, 13:18

We've been looking at Yacht Haven Quay in Plymouth. They do uncovered storage on your trailer & you launch off their slipway for about £1.05 per sqm per week.

They also do a dry stack service so your boat is stacked under cover off its trailer and the monthly fee includes unlimited launches so you can phone ahead and have the boat on the water when you arrive. They jetwash the hull on recovery. Obviously costs a lot more, can't recall how much.

A feature I liked with the dry stack was they have tinkering racks at ground level which you can have the boat put in when you want to work on it & they come with water & power.

PeterM · 07 March 2009, 14:19

I keep one of mine in & one out. The out one is out of the bad weather etc & still looks like new after 2 years. The other ( bigger) one is in from now to end October & I do worry about the auto bilge pump packing up ! , it is on a very sheltered river mooring, but gets very dirty ( seagulls! ) , but I do use it more as I dont have to hitch up the trailer etc ( I am only 100yds from the launching slip anyway & its free - I still am out off doing it sometimes).

If I could I'd keep both out & make sure I had an easy set up for launch & recovery - a decent roller trailer will make it very easy. I was speaking to a guy who kept his 8.5m on a de-graff with gel rollers on his drive & launched each time.

TangoTango · 07 March 2009, 21:42

I invested a chunk of my budget in an Airberth. Fantastic piece of kit but unfortunately quite expensive.

Limey Linda · 08 March 2009, 03:29

Thanks for all the input. I have the time as I am retired. if I want to make an early morning start i can put the RIB in day before or if I want to fish for three days in a row I can always get a berth. The degredation to the boat when left on the water is huge. I am going to try the dry storage approach for a few months and see how it goes. I will have to sacrifice the easy 1/2hr blast etc.

jyasaki · 08 March 2009, 13:42

I'd say dry. That's how they do it in the other Paradise (Hawaii), due to the lack on in-water berths. This includes largish (30') dive boats that operate multiple times a day.

jky

Poly · 08 March 2009, 16:51

Linda - would something like versadock be an option for you?

Limey Linda · 08 March 2009, 21:31

No, versadock is not an economical option as to get the neccesary width I would have to use a 36ft berth.