I recall hearing from someone at the factory or on a factory tour that our boats were not designed to be left in the water docked for long periods of time. Does anybody know the "safe" window for this? Why is it? What happens?
How long can you leave boat in water?
- Thread starter 2fast4mom
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Darth VMAX
Well-Known Member
You heard someone from the factory say this? Now I want to know too.
The longest I have left it docked in the water is 9 days (this past June). I just did a total wax job and didn't notice any ill effects on the bottom. Since 2004 I yearly do a week and then a half week of leaving my XB2002 docked in a slip. So far so good.
The longest I have left it docked in the water is 9 days (this past June). I just did a total wax job and didn't notice any ill effects on the bottom. Since 2004 I yearly do a week and then a half week of leaving my XB2002 docked in a slip. So far so good.
mxzx
Active Member
Mine stays in the lake all summer with no problems except it takes a while to clean the hull in the fall. Been doing it for the 6 years I have owned it. Every other kind of boat on our lake stays in all summer, don't see why it would be any different for an Allison.
K.Kiser
Well-Known Member
I can cause blisters in the gel.. Not all water from here to there may have the same effect
whipper
Well-Known Member
3weeks every summer tied to a bouy fresh water 82deg water temps for 8 years no probems for me other than gearcase {non SM} issues with cracking.
I was told to not clamp down the hull to hard while at rest on the trailer though when its hot as the hull will conform a little to the bunks. It only takes a few min to come back once in the water.
I was told to not clamp down the hull to hard while at rest on the trailer though when its hot as the hull will conform a little to the bunks. It only takes a few min to come back once in the water.nort
Active Member
My 84 XR2002 spent the first 17 years of its life in the water from mid may till early October with only mid season removal for a good bath. Having said that, there are osmosis blisters in the gellcoat below the water line but other then that the boat is mint.
BTW, she now lives in a comfy garage with her sisters.....also named Allison.
/
BTW, she now lives in a comfy garage with her sisters.....also named Allison.
/
MWest77
Active Member
Mine stays in my semi temp controlled garage. I wouldnt leave mine in the water even if I could. I couldn't sleep at night!
fnshrmaster
Active Member
My ranger V1600 spent all its life in the water from spring to fall. Last year it was retired and replaced by an Aluminum hull.
It had blisters so bad it looked like a Chinese checker board. That is why the big lake boats get a fresh coat of anti fouling paint every season.
It's best to use them and put them back on a trailer or lift.
It had blisters so bad it looked like a Chinese checker board. That is why the big lake boats get a fresh coat of anti fouling paint every season.
It's best to use them and put them back on a trailer or lift.
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Dave Hensley
Well-Known Member
Osmotic blisters. Unfortunately even as good as Mr. Allison is and the fact that he uses the best materials available, he can't keep our boats out of the line of fire. Around here the alkalinity of the water just kills aluminum bright work too. Sportmasters and unpainted jackplates look like poop after a day or two.
Darth VMAX
Well-Known Member
I guess I have been lucky all these years. Either that or its the insane amount of wax/polish I keep on my rig (yes including the running surface....blah blah blah LOL! )
You forgot the elbow grease... :big grin
K.Kiser
Well-Known Member
Little story why mine isn't staying in the water around here overnight... Good longtime childhood friend buddy was doing a three-day Lake fork trip, 1.5 hr from here... Left his boat beached at the camp during the nights with the dock battery charger plugged up... All was well all three days...
They came home for a day then went fishing at our local Red River (bassmaster touney river)... Got out onto the water and wasn't sure if he put the plug in, so he opened the rear hatch to check for any titanic like water intrusion.. Hey what have we got here, a nice well fed water moccassin poppin a wheelie up and out of the rear hatch... Skated around on the back deck frantically for several seconds (aka eternity) before he shot over the side and into a whole new home far away from his own.. That snake could have crawled around anywhere in that boat and given someone a nice amputee worthy suprise...
No sir, I don't agree to these terms..
In summary, what Darris is really telling you is not to store your boat in the water unattended for lengthy periods due to @$$whole snakes...
They came home for a day then went fishing at our local Red River (bassmaster touney river)... Got out onto the water and wasn't sure if he put the plug in, so he opened the rear hatch to check for any titanic like water intrusion.. Hey what have we got here, a nice well fed water moccassin poppin a wheelie up and out of the rear hatch... Skated around on the back deck frantically for several seconds (aka eternity) before he shot over the side and into a whole new home far away from his own.. That snake could have crawled around anywhere in that boat and given someone a nice amputee worthy suprise...
No sir, I don't agree to these terms..
In summary, what Darris is really telling you is not to store your boat in the water unattended for lengthy periods due to @$$whole snakes...
Snakes and boats...True story:
1993. Pre-Allisons. Pre-bassboats.
12-ft aluminum boat, belonged to my friend Doug, 15hp Johnson.
Idling up Napa river.
Me: There's a snake we just ran over him
Doug: There's no snake
putputputputput....
Snake appears, wrapped around midsection
Me, pointing; SNAKE!!
Doug: Now he's comin in the boat
Snake slithers over transom into boat. Hysteria breaks forth.
Grabbed oar. Escorted said green snake (harmless) back into water.
Why do snakes like boats?
1993. Pre-Allisons. Pre-bassboats.
12-ft aluminum boat, belonged to my friend Doug, 15hp Johnson.
Idling up Napa river.
Me: There's a snake we just ran over him
Doug: There's no snake
putputputputput....
Snake appears, wrapped around midsection
Me, pointing; SNAKE!!
Doug: Now he's comin in the boat
Snake slithers over transom into boat. Hysteria breaks forth.
Grabbed oar. Escorted said green snake (harmless) back into water.
Why do snakes like boats?
RedAllison
Well-Known Member
Snakes you say? 
THIS is why I DONT leave boats in my lake for any length of time! The only critters on my farm that out number the deer, game birds, yotes & wildcats is the SNAKES! I even considered buying an ol rotted out, useless, motorless fiberglass hull (like an old Bullet or Ranger :razz ) to leave in the lake for fishing but the thought of someone getting bit by my world class "copper backed rattle condas" that decided to take up residence in the boat is not worth the risk!
As for the "Osmoticwhatever" gelcoat IS porous however microscopic. I'd not run the risk! Lou if you're asking why because of why I think your asking... floating lifts are the answer to your "east TN dilemma"! But even then, be prepared for the possibility of an occasional "shoulderless passenger" as they DO climb!!! :shock: However we had float lifts for many years at my stepfathers place on Pickwick & I don't recall any snakes ever getting IN the boats. They crawl up on the floats & bars themselves but they never went any higher than that. Brown/banded water snakes are the most common in TN. They CAN climb, if you see a snake over 3-4ft off of the water it's likely a water snake. (& they aren't poisonous) The cottonmouth/moccasin isn't known for climbing, they are shorter & fatter therefor aren't built nor known for climbing. (Obviously they ARE poisonous & extremely aggressive!)
THIS is why I DONT leave boats in my lake for any length of time! The only critters on my farm that out number the deer, game birds, yotes & wildcats is the SNAKES! I even considered buying an ol rotted out, useless, motorless fiberglass hull (like an old Bullet or Ranger :razz ) to leave in the lake for fishing but the thought of someone getting bit by my world class "copper backed rattle condas" that decided to take up residence in the boat is not worth the risk!
As for the "Osmoticwhatever" gelcoat IS porous however microscopic. I'd not run the risk! Lou if you're asking why because of why I think your asking... floating lifts are the answer to your "east TN dilemma"! But even then, be prepared for the possibility of an occasional "shoulderless passenger" as they DO climb!!! :shock: However we had float lifts for many years at my stepfathers place on Pickwick & I don't recall any snakes ever getting IN the boats. They crawl up on the floats & bars themselves but they never went any higher than that. Brown/banded water snakes are the most common in TN. They CAN climb, if you see a snake over 3-4ft off of the water it's likely a water snake. (& they aren't poisonous) The cottonmouth/moccasin isn't known for climbing, they are shorter & fatter therefor aren't built nor known for climbing. (Obviously they ARE poisonous & extremely aggressive!)
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SLOmofo
Well-Known Member
When I lifted the hull off the trailer to cob up a repair on the previous botched repairs, I found that the area where the flat bunks ride have blisters. More blisters on the port side. Their still there.
Probably from sitting on wet bunks when an earlier owner kept it on the trailer but used it every day.
Don't start me on snakes................
Probably from sitting on wet bunks when an earlier owner kept it on the trailer but used it every day.
Don't start me on snakes................
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K.Kiser
Well-Known Member
Dang RedAllison, that pic looks exactly like home to me... If it ain't cypressy it's stumpy, and if it's not either it's full of wake riders which is worse than any critter... And all true on the cottonmouth vs. water snake in regard to climbing and you can tell a difference in their swim too... A southern banded water snake (c/m mimic) will swim with it's head close to or on the water, and the moccassin will swim with it's head up and dry...
Ive never been chased out of my area by a water moccassin more than a distance of a few feet, but they will dang sure stand their ground without hesitation if you cruise up on their turf...
Ive never been chased out of my area by a water moccassin more than a distance of a few feet, but they will dang sure stand their ground without hesitation if you cruise up on their turf...
SLOmofo
Well-Known Member
Calif. ground Squirrel and a rattler. I shot the GS and the snake took care of the rest!
K.Kiser
Well-Known Member
Come'on Gary, Didn't you have an extra bullet..?
So there can be blisters from keeping the boat on a float-on trailer?