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storage in a dried up wet slip

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alisa
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/12/2011 : 06:55:33

Just bought my first boat, a Catalina 25, and LOVE it. However, we are experiencing a severe drought in Oklahoma and the lake is literally drying up. The lake was low enough a few months ago that there was no water in the wet slips. I noticed at the time that many owners had their boats, including the one that is now mine, suspended on straps. As a new wet slip lessee, I received an email today that warned owners to be prepared for such extreme dry conditions again but that boats should not be suspended and instead allowed to sit on dry ground but be tied securely.

Any suggestions? - fixed keel

I realize it would be best to dry store the boat on a trailer, but I have no trailer, nor a vehicle to pull one. That's one reason I waited so long to buy. However, this boat, the timing, and the price were too good to pass up. I LOVE HER, and want to take good care of her. This is not a toy to me, but a lifelong dream come true.

Any info is much appreciated!

Edited by - on

JoshMcCullock
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 07:09:46

Hey there neighbor!
Great to see you on the forum. There are some very knowledgable folks here and they'll give you all the info you need.
Did you notice the C&C on the other side of you that was on straps is already above the water again? I'm so sad at our loss of water. Sailing has been quite depressing this year. Hopefully we'll get some rain and be able to sail into the late fall.

Edited by - JoshMcCullock on 07/12/2011 07:13:21

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 07:13:30

Welcome to the community!

I suspect that e-mail wasn't intended for fixed-keel sailboats. You need to insure that she stands up straight--if not on straps, then by tying her off to docks or pilings. If she ends up leaning, or standing on her keel and then falls over, she could damage another boat as well as her own rigging, stanchions, etc.

She can "stand" on her keel--that's essentially how fixed keel boats are stored. The stands placed around them are for balance more than for support. (The exact opposite is true for swing-keelers.) Snug dock-lines should keep her balanced if the bottom is even enough, but a wind storm could mess things up. I don't think that approach is best for you or anyone around you.

I would talk to the marina manager about your specific situation, and not that of the general population (I'm guessing powerboats and centerboarders). You might ask why they are advising against straps.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/12/2011 07:17:59

NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 08:18:38

I am not familar with your lake but could you take it out deeper water and anchor. Get a small dingy or swim to it. or ask one of the power boat owners. At least you could sail.

Edited by - NCBrew on 07/12/2011 08:19:18

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 09:09:38

Wow... ya gotta post some pictures once you figure out the proper thing to do. Lake Lanier was down about 20 feet about 2 years ago. We had to move to deeper slips. We'd drop a line and measure our depth at the slip as it receded.
The good news is you get a chance to learn a lot about the bottom in your area. Google put pictures on the web when the water was low and they are still up, so we get to study the bottom ( shoreline contours ) on the web.
I'd bet your Marina is quite helpful about what you can do with a dry slip (you are paying them for).

Edited by - redeye on 07/12/2011 09:11:03

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 09:24:06

My sister-in-law and husband have a house at a lake that is drawn down every winter leaving their dock high and dry virtually every year. They have a pontoon boat and at first let it settle in the mud when the water went down, as did their neighbors. Then they built a platform, actually 2 flat bunks, perpendicular to the boat, for the pontoons to sit on when the water goes down. If you plan to be in that slip a long time, perhaps you could rig up something similar to accommodate a C-25 (like a submerged C-25 cradle).
Fortunately, you have a fixed keel, so the boat can come to rest on the keel without damaging the boat. A swing-keel boat would need to be hauled out.
Is the bottom under your slip relatively flat? Just thinking off the top of my head, and the engineer members can chime in and tell me I'm crazy, but here's an idea. Buy one 8 ft. pressure-treated 2x6 board cut into two 4 ft. pieces, two 8 ft. 2x4's cut into 4 ft. pieces, and some 4x4 posts, four large eye bolts long enough to go through the 4x4's, 4 large carabiners, and 2 heavy duty lengths of chain each 4 ft long. You'll want 2 posts under each 2x6 board that are about 1 ft. longer than the keel so it can sink firmly into the mud. Add a 2x4 to each side of the 4x4 posts about 15" below the 2x6 for additional support. Before the water goes down too low, position the supports under the boat and connect them with the chain. Adjust the chain length as needed. You might want to carpet the 2x6 boards and pad most of the front chain with pvc pipe or a piece of swim noodle. You could also use a 2x4 in lieu of chain for the front end. After the water rises again, remove the aft chain. Hopefully, the "bunks" will stay put.

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/12/2011 09:26:55

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 10:38:36

Low water occurs in my area every now and again due to weather patterns. When I know it's about to happen, and during the event, I'll make sure my docklines are adjusted to allow the boat to settle nicely into the muck below and remain upright. In the top photo below (North Star), you can see the muddy bottom underneath my boat. Those who don't adjust their docklines as the water leaves end up hanging from the docks. As was mentioned, with a fixed keel boat, it's not that much of an issue as it's stored with the weight resting on the keel anyway.

Edited by - dlucier on 07/12/2011 10:39:27

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 11:27:19

It's getting bad here in Texas. While most of our reservoirs are down less than 10', poor Lake Meredith is gone:

I tried to get a C27 that was being hauled as the marina went aground but I couldn't get it shipped within my budget.

This is a bad summer so far. We didn't get our spring rains and the heat has already exceeded normal number of 100 degree days.....we're nowhere near that terrible summer of 1980....anyone who lived through that will never forget it...highest official temp ever of 113...(it hit 116 in Denton where I lived)...but it has been a while since we had a "Long, Hot, Texas Summer".....we're having one now. Was 106.3 on my patio just a couple days ago. If this keeps up, we're on track for August temps to be 108 - 110 easy....

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 18:28:58

I take it you are in the public slips at Hephner, the concrete ones. I have seen photos a few years ago of everyone there in the mud. First comment.... what the hell do you mean you don't have a trailer... that is nuts in OKC. Get a trailer. Second, is it possible to lay down sheets of heavy plywood, (maybe foundation forms), and set boat stands on them? You sail in a gem of a venue, sorry about the level, what does the "spider" look like in the mud?

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 18:41:21

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?07159550

we are down 1.5'

http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/CHEN.lakepage.html

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 09:50:08

We are in extreme drought conditions with Canyon Lake down 5'. (Lake Travis in Austin is down about 35')
2 years ago we were down 17' and with all the cedar stumps in unexpected places it got quite hairy.
Fortunately, our great marina management will move the entire marina further out into the lake as necessary so our slip is always deep enough.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 10:27:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 We are in extreme drought conditions with Canyon Lake down 5'. (Lake Travis in Austin is down about 35')
2 years ago we were down 17' and with all the cedar stumps in unexpected places it got quite hairy.
Fortunately, our great marina management will move the entire marina further out into the lake as necessary so our slip is always deep enough.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've heard that our marina will do the same, tow the docks out into the slough and provide skiffs....hopefully we won't have to see if this happens, but Eagle Mountain is down 5' and dropping daily.

I've got a bunch of pictures of Travis from 2009....just wow on that one.....Sometimes Island actually grew vegetation.....and the old ranch house came out of the water again.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 11:00:51

Don, your pics reminded me of some low tide scenes we saw in England.
Tough times you guys in OK and TX are going through. I hear farmers are losing crops, too.
Too bad the Corps of Engineers can't build a canal to you from the Missisippi or the rivers in ND that have been flooding this year.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 11:01:30

We don't need skiffs, Scott. The marina is always still attached to the shore - just with a much longer walkway!

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 11:14:51

Lake Erie is currently 35" over LWD. The Great Lakes catch basin had a very wet spring as did the Mississippi and Missouri. The weather changes over the last decade or so are only going to get worse as we keep driving (pun intended) our climate to the brink. I say we force everyone to convert to sail powered vehicles!!!!!!! Sorry Dave.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 12:13:01

another thing we saw in England that the low tide sufferers did was take a post, say 6x6", cut out a curve to fit against the hull as a crutch, and they let the boat lean against two of those things while resting on the keel. Simple and apparently quite effective. wish I had been there to see how they set the posts into position. My guess is they wore chest high waders, or the crew leaned to one side while the posts were set on the other side, then ease the boat back to level and let the post dig into the mud. first time had to be a bit scary!

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 14:47:47

Another method they have in UK is to have twin keeled boats so that the boat sits level on the mud.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 18:30:06

I'm going to be up at Canyon Lake and Lake Travis next week. I'll try to get some pictures of the low water.

Lake Travis is down 38' as of this evening and dropping approx. 1' per week.

Edited by - GaryB on 07/13/2011 18:30:32

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 19:43:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 Another method they have in UK is to have twin keeled boats so that the boat sits level on the mud.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">"Bilge-keelers."

Edited by - on

alisa
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2011 : 22:34:17

Thanks for all the advice. I feel much better about letting her "stand" in the mud. Our slips are fixed with concrete pilings. I may look into building a simple wood support structure that could be easily dismantled and reconstructed as needed just because we often have days with very strong wind gusts, and I believe the "water wars" here could mean frequent and abrupt changes in the water levels for months to come. In the mean time, I'd appreciate greatly if everyone could call upon whatever powers alter your universe to send rain to OK, TX & north LA. We are definatley sad to not be able to sail, but our farmers and ranchers are really hurting.
Slainte!

Edited by - on

JoshMcCullock
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2011 : 21:56:11

Our depth finder is reading 7 feet in the slip. So you have awhile before you need to stress about it. Let us know if you need a hand when you're ready to add supports. We'd be happy to help!

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2011 : 08:36:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by alisa
 Thanks for all the advice. I feel much better about letting her "stand" in the mud. Our slips are fixed with concrete pilings. I may look into building a simple wood support structure that could be easily dismantled and reconstructed as needed just because we often have days with very strong wind gusts, and I believe the "water wars" here could mean frequent and abrupt changes in the water levels for months to come. In the mean time, I'd appreciate greatly if everyone could call upon whatever powers alter your universe to send rain to OK, TX & north LA. We are definatley sad to not be able to sail, but our farmers and ranchers are really hurting.
Slainte!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'd feel much better with mine sitting on the trailer or on stands on the hard.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2011 : 09:24:26

Alisa... Maybe you could build a cradle that's anchored to the bottom in your slip, and is just high enough that the boat rests on it just before the keel touches the bottom. It could be designed similarly to a trailer you can float the boat on and off of. Then leave it in the slip--in adequate depth, you can exit and enter as if it wasn't there.

About standing on the keel... Notice some of the "leaners" in Don's pix above, and imagine the tension on the up-hill dock lines. Scary! And you have to wonder whether the deck (or dock) cleats are going to take that forever. Those lines can be very dangerous, and cannot be adjusted (safely) when under that strain.

If you're going to let her just stand on the keel, set lines that are as perpendicular to the centerline as possible, and snug them up so she'll lean as little as possible (without causing her to hang on the lines)--keeping the weight on the keel and off the lines. As the water rises and falls, you'll have to attend to those lines, even on floating docks, which will probably drop more than the boat will--i.e., the docks could end up hanging from the boat. (The docks in Don's pix are fixed, so the boats end up hanging.)

To put it another way, she can stand on her keel, but I'm not crazy about the consequences, as illustrated by Don's pix.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/16/2011 09:29:55

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2011 : 09:55:50

Notice the twin-keel C=25 (Jaguar 25) in the pic, low tide at Lynmouth, England:

At high tide, water covered the middle group of steps on the wall separating the harbor from the river flowing down the hillside on the left. It was a beautiful village.

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/16/2011 09:59:58

two port feet
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2011 : 20:31:24

My first look at a C-25 twin keel wonder how they sail? definitely fits the need.

Edited by - on

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