I was wondering what percentage of houseboat owners pull their houseboat in Pgh vs. keeping them somewhere with winter dockage?
Leaving your boat in is better for the hull (except for ice/debris) and is usually cheaper. Pulling the boat, however, gives you peace of mind from ice and floods, the ability to work on and paint the hull, etc.
Mine stayed in this year but I've been on the look out for a trailer. What do you think?
Mike,
I Have Always Felt It Better To Pull Than To Deal With What Winter Brings. Unless There Is Round The Clock Surveiance, Anything Could Happen. Ice Seems To Just Sneek Up, And Come Out Of Nowhere. The Top Of The Allegheny Freezes Every Year, And Lets Loose A Whole Bunch Of Large Chunks Downstream.
Unless The Boat Is Extremely Large, (over 50 Feet) I Would Consider Pulling.
Plus, Maintenance Is Always Easier On The Hard Than In The Water.
All good points gsent - but I hear houseboats aren't built to sit on trailers. Any truth? Something about the hull designs and the weight ditribution are meant to be supported by the water not trailers. Just what I heard. Don't know if it is bs or not????
I Really Don't Know What To Believe. They Are Manufactured Out Of The Water, Trailered To The Dealer, Out Of The Water, Sat On Dealers Lots, Boat Shows, Etc. And They Say They Are Not Meant To Be Pulled Out Of The Water? I Also Do Not Know Of One That Has Broken Because It Was Trailered Except Some Of These Old Rotted Things That Are Not Safe To Begin With. Lets Hear From Others With Different Experiences.
well there is no doubt that any boat is supported best in the water as every inch is evenly supported... but done correctly, pulling them probably doesn't hurt either. I am interested in anyone else's opinion as well.
Do you think that year round, in water, insurance is something you'd have to ask for? Is it common for it to be only insured on land for the winter even if you have a year round policy?
Mike,
My Insurance Asks Specifically When Boat Will Be Drydocked. Your Rates Are Calculated On This. If You Are In The Water, There Is More Liability, And Also A Chance That It Could Go Downstream.
Mike, my houseboat is the same, i am not insured in the water after Nov 1st. It has to be dry docked. Also make sure you have replacement cost insurance so that they don't give you a depreciated value on any claim. I had to get a survey on my boat, they base my rates on that for full replacement. Check your insurance, most people think they are covered till they go to make a claim. FYI- Allstate is great with me.
My policy requires "layup". That means the boat is winterized and can not be started by turning the key. IT DOES NOT COVER ICE CAUSING THE BOAT TO SINK. Engines must be winterized. Buy a bubbler and ice should not be a problem. Layup can be in the water as well as on the land.
Winter: Pull it or dock it?
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Originally Posted by bkpursuit
