Why covered slips?

PascalG

PascalG

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Looking into busing some land in Eastern TN, build something and possibly move there in a few years. We d probably bring the boat up the river system likely to Watts Bar lake (53 Hatteras)

A quick look at marinas shows most have covered slips. Why? Is it for shade or are they needed in winter to prevent snow accumulation?

May sound like a stupid question but I have zero experience with lakes and winter! The idea of being on a boat in what looks like a hangar isn’t appealing.
 
Can't answer your question, but:
You live in Utopia, well hurricane prone Utopia, but why move? Especially why TN? Giving up captaining?
 
I think it’s to keep the Sun from burning you up. Hot and humid summers, without the ocean breeze. Some of them have party setups with bars and such.
 
Reduces sun bleaching id color items.

Besides,the spiders need a launch platform... :)
 
sugilbert said:
Can't answer your question, but:
You live in Utopia, well hurricane prone Utopia, but why move? Especially why TN? Giving up captaining?
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Well south Florida is getting increasingly crowded even on the water. We try not to go out on week ends on our own boats as it s a zoo. Just got back for an evening cruise on the 116, I had to sound 5 blasts 6 or 7 times to avoid collisions

And we re no spring chickens. At some point, probably 5 to 7 years we ll want to retire. After 30 years in SoFl, rolling hills and mountains are very appealing. Good driving roads for the classic cars… some acreage for the horses and yet a decent non land locked body of water to keep boating. Eastern Tn checks all these boxes plus a red no non sense state with low taxes. No property tax on boats and cars like NC. Mild winters.
 
Covered slips are pretty popular on the Chesapeake bay - not as popular as they used to be, because when the old ones fall down most places don’t rebuild. but plenty of marinas still have them - for the shade, and to keep the snow off. a lot of the covered slips on the eastern shore are home to old chris craft commanders. and the few woods boats that are left around here seem to do well in covered slips - varnish and paint last nearly forever when under a roof.
 
No covered slips in SoFl and the sun is …. Brutal in summer. And mildly brutal the rest of the year!
 
QUOTE="alk, post: 555809, member: 5508"]
Covered slips are pretty popular on the Chesapeake bay - not as popular as they used to be, because when the old ones fall down most places don’t rebuild. but plenty of marinas still have them - for the shade, and to keep the snow off. a lot of the covered slips on the eastern shore are home to old chris craft commanders. and the few woods boats that are left around here seem to do well in covered slips - varnish and paint last nearly forever when under a roof.
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I think TN politics are much more appealing to Pascal than MD or VA (and most covered slips are in MD). I do miss Chesapeake boating though. There is no finer cruising grounds with affordable marinas, small towns, and endless anchorages that I have found.

Pascal, a TN marina owner bought the Gulfstar sister ship I used to be next to in MD. I have no idea about his marina but I have his number and he is a nice guy. Let me know if you're interested and I will see if I can put you in touch.
 
Radioactive said:
Reduces sun bleaching id color items.

Besides,the spiders need a launch platform... :)
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You forgot the bats and bat poop, the birds and bird poop, and of course all the darn spiders poop too. Covered is nice in non tidal areas but a bit risky with flood tides (likely not an issue often, if ever, in TN?). It is great to keep the sun off but not so great for satellite TV or now Starlink internet :-)
 
Yuck… unless snow accumulation is a problem on the boat, covered isn’t for us !
 
I’ve had both and wish I was back under cover. Blazing heat in summer, thunderstorms, snow and ice, sun damage to fiberglass, canvas, isinglass…..I’ll take cover anytime I can get it.
 
As mentioned a lot of people turn the area around the slips into pretty fancy hangout areas. Upside your boat stays out of the elements. Downside they tend to not hold up too well to snow and wind, often causing major damage to the boats. I think in the southern sun I would still take covered.
 
My boat has been in then so Fl sun for the almost 20 years I ve owned it and afaik it has been down here since built in 1970 … sun isn’t a concern.
 
Boated on the TN River for years, Pickwick Lake mostly. Slips are covered more for shade than snow. Bird and spider poop can be a problem.

Also, you may have trouble getting into a covered slip with the 53 footer.

Friend of mine had to top off all tanks, lay down antennas, to sit low enough to get into his slip, but he had a 57' Sportfish w/enclosed pilothouse.

Beautiful scenery, you'll like it.
 
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Definitely not interested in covered slip since it s just fine the shade. What’s with folks being afraid of a little sun :)

We re going to NC this week end to visit some friends, north of Boone, and will stop for a few days in E TN next week to take a look at marinas and land.
 
PascalG said:
Definitely not interested in covered slip since it s just fine the shade. What’s with folks being afraid of a little sun :)

We re going to NC this week end to visit some friends, north of Boone, and will stop for a few days in E TN next week to take a look at marinas and land.
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Experience with decades in covered slips on TN R (now Watts Bar) and more than a decade in an open YC slip in Ft Myers, FL.
Boats in TN last longer, need less frequent gelcoat wax (or cleaning if painted), less brightwork care, require less canvas (inc isenglas, velcro, snap/zipper) maintenance. Acknowledging ill effects of salt water and salt air, direct sun contributes mightily to overall deterioration. Many 20-30 y/o boats in covered slips are in better condition and look newer than 3-5 y/o boats in sun.
So obvious up here that owners vie for inside slips (sun exposure on end slips), cover bow if facing west, etc, etc.
Also more pleasant working on boat in shade (just came back from working on boat in Florida where we had to stop working late morning each day to avoid heat exhaustion) — maybe less a problem on a 53’ boat w more on board protection.
FWIW — boating is in beautiful scenery here. Many Loopers and others who venture up the TN R stop at Chattanooga; that’s pretty, but on up to Knoxville into the foothills of the Smokies is drop dead gorgeous — the water never crowded unless there’s a UT football game (“Vol Navy”).
Snow is not an issue — freezes usually brief and mild. Summer humidity is a myth in most areas (36% today - hi temp low 80’s).
Hate to sound like the C of C, but difficult to read partial truths and misinformation.
(Also don’t want everyone coming up here messing up our low property and boat regis taxes, not to mention low cost of living!)
Just another perspective from someone w experience in both covered and uncovered slips. No contest for me!
Now, about those spiders . . .
(Have a good visit!)
John
 
Thanks for the info! As I said my boat has been in the Florida sun for half a century. Current paint is 25 year old and would still be shinny if it wasn’t for hurricane damage so it will be repainted in the next year or so

Bimini and cushions last 6 to 8 years here… no big deal.

We ll definitely favor open slip.
 
PascalG said:
Bimini and cushions last 6 to 8 years here… no big deal.
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Replacing cushions, canvas and isinglass every 6-8 years can add up to some serious coin. Under cover, all that stuff should last 15-20 years.
 
Not that bad. We have a cover on the forward sunpad so these cushions last a lot longer. Yeah but be able to see the stars and the moon at night… blue skies overhead, nice sunsets. I don’t know, being under a metal roof doesn’t appeal to us whatsoever. Glad it’s preference and not dictated by snow
 
Friends with covered slips are always complaining about spider poop...
 
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