it will slow you down if you wax it. wax will fill in the microscopic pores on the bottom of the boat and make it like a suction cup on the water . with most race boats they will da the bottom of the boat so it traps air bubbles and reduces friction

Thanks so much ICDEDPPL! Exactly the insight i was hoping for.

DA the bottom?

Parking is hit or miss unless you have a slip. I've had people come down plenty of times and they have the garage blocked to public parking, then you have to park across the street. If you get down early it usually isn't a problem but come down in the afternoon, you can almost guarantee the lot will be full or blocked off !!

I agree that trailer parking sucks especially if you want to overnight as they don't allow overnight parking. Now you have to go to the McCormick place lot and hope they don't break into your truck! I've been tempted a few times to leave the truck and trailer overnight to see what happens but I have crappy luck and they would probably tow or boot me.

Some say waxing the bottom helps put off the algae growth .I do know that boats with a old unwaxed dull bottom will turn yellow before a nicely buffed and waxed one.

I'd use a good barrier wax rather than sanding the bottom if the boat was gonna stay in a slip and not get bottom painted.

Parking at 31st sucks.

For the record...the anti-fouling wax they sell doesn't really work. I got all excited about it and waxed my Powerquest hull when I first got a slip in Hammond...it took about 1 week for the algae to form. I dove the boat a couple times...but it is a lot of work, and REALLY sucks until the water warms up! After about a month, I could not stand it anymore and bought a Hydrohoist. I know that in the past, Chicago harbors have not allowed lifts...but if this becomes a problem for you, you might want to look at Hammond as an option.

Don't you be screwing with the bikers...despite the spandex, some of us are pretty bad-ass...

I know my fountains bottom is in pretty good shape for its age. I get minimal scum line stains after a long weekend in the water. My old boats bottom wasn't in the best shape, very dull and chalky. That thing would stain yellow after 1 night in the water.

Either way, I would not leave my boat in the water for the season in a slip unless I had a hoist.

Idk why Chicago harbors won't allow floating lifts. Silly.

Then again, Chicago's harbor system sucks IMO. Parking sucks. Ramp fees are high. Slip fees are high. Most of the harbors have limited amenities, and god forbid you make a peep past 10pm. If you get stuck on a dock way out on one of the fingers , the walk to the bathroom and showers can be several blocks.

I live minutes from 31st harbor, and find myself preferring to tow the boat up to Racine, west Michigan, or even loto. It's always fun dragging a 38ft boat there, and having them tell you the launch is closed for some event, or there's no parking avail, etc. It can get pretty hectic there on the weekends with nearby events at soldier field, McCormick place, the public beach, joggers, bicycle enthusiasts, etc. Half the time I went there the automated gate for paying and accessing the launch was malfunctioning , either not working, or once, when leaving, the dam gate came right down on my boat !!! Luckily I was watching my mirrors or it would have done some damage.

Chicago is anti boater.. hate it

yes, da the bottom. if you ever make it to the races, take a look under a few of the boats. i couldn't tell you what grit to use but it will reduce friction. you only need to do the last few feet of running surface (whats left in the water at wot). the smoother it is the stickier it is. think of a golf ball