Grounding out a 35TE

[skye peak]

I'd like to ground out my 35TE single engine alongside my dock for bottom washing and changing zincs.

Does anyone know, if the skeg can bear weight or does it need to be blocked off the bottom with the
hull supporting all of the boat's weight?

[RicM]

Sounds a little sketchy to me... my boatyard will "short haul" my 28TE and powerwash the bottom for about $300, then leave it on the lift (not blocked) for a couple of hours while I do zincs, check running gear etc.

[zinbaad]

OUCH, that seems a bit risky to me. I am not looking forward to the "Haul" bill to get underneath, pressure wash & cahnge the zincs. I was wondering if the short haul charge would allow me enough time to dry & paint the hull along with a good waxing? Wishful thing I bet, but it has to be done.
I do wonder how many out there paint their bottoms every other year & don scuba to get under, rezinc & check bottoms?

[RicM]

I do all that under the waterline stuff before splashing in the spring, another benefit to hauling out for the winter. Unless you have a barrier coating on your hull, most experts suggest a couple of months out of the water drys out the gelcoat and makes it less likely to develop bubbles over time. Plastic is porous, just not very porous. If you need to swap zincs and get the bottom sides cleaned a diver is the least expensive way to go. They are about $100 around here for a 1 hour dive.

[Legacy]

I have a 35 and alternate years in keeping her in the water and out the next. I have a barrier coat paint. 2-3X per summer I grab a suction cup, a mask and a stiff brush to keep the hull clean. Usually at a beach in 4 feet of water, too much boat traffic at my marina. I bottom paint every other year but change zincs 2X per year. Short haul is the way to go because you can check the running gear too.

Rick