Thinking of placing the boat next season at a marina (high &dry) storage. Anyone doing this presently with 353 Fastech? Hoping someone could give me their insight on this.

Thanks,

Chris

I don't have that boat, but there are a few at my marina on the racks in the high & dry.

Do you have a specific concern?

My biggest concern is the bottom getting messed up. I do understand that if I (spoil) the forklift operators to take extra care that always goes a long way but are there any significant concerns I need to watch out for? Is it a good idea for me to build the racks myself to fit the hull properly? Was told they would let me do that.

Thanks for the insight.

Chris

I had my 38 Fountain on the same racks I referenced in my earlier post. After one season, there were definitely some marks on the bottom (closest to the steps) where the forks were used but they were pretty superficial and at the end of the season, my marina had their fiberglass guy touch them up (at their cost) and after that, you would never know they were there. I also think that the marks were there because they really needed to replace the rubber strips on the top of the forks. The fork operator can be very careful, but I think its impossible to not have some marks when you're constantly lifting a 9,000 lb boat on two forks off a cradle and there's bound to be some movement. But, like I said, they were mostly superficial and very easy to clean up.

As for the cradle support, its always best to support the hull in the right places, so if you have the option of constructing a cradle that's tailored to your hull and supports the critical spots (like a trailer would), and you have the skill to do so, why wouldn't you do that??

Thanks HyFive for your input.

Chris

Have them put it in a wooden cradle on the ground and stay away from the steel rack

I like this idea. Thanks. I will touch base with them tomorrow and see what the availability is for that.

Chris

What is everyone's thoughts about the harshness of the lift forks on the step bottom hull?

I say keep it on the trailer. Dry rack is very convenient. However, your boat will get random marks and scratches in places (mostly bottom). However, I know how particular you are.

When you're boat is in the steel rack, it will actually be resting on a wooden cradle mounted to the steel rack. The cradle is not the issue; it's the forks that cause the marks on the bottom. The whole issue with the forks is based on the condition of the protective rubber on the forks themselves. If your marina maintains their equipment well, this should be a non-issue. The skill of the fork truck operator is more important. I had one day, my guy lifted my boat and the tip of the fork caught the bottom of the step and chipped about an inch of gelcoat off.. not happy.. but they fixed it and you couldn't tell it ever happened.