A Trailer-Boater’s Guide to Overnight Docking

The first thing to consider is the state and design of your bilge pump system. Boaters who keep their boats on a trailer often don’t pay much attention to their bilge pump and may discover that it is not set up properly for long-term docking.

It is also important to test the automatic mechanism on the pump before your trip to make sure it is working properly. You also need to be aware of which position your bilge pump switch should be in for the pump to operate automatically. Trying to figure this out on the water can be a significant challenge, so take time to address this before you go. Finally, ensure that your battery has the capacity to deal with an emergency situation overnight;  your bilge pump will do you no good if there isn’t enough power to run it!

A second pre-trip preparation is getting your hull ready for an extended stay in the water — particularly if you are going to be in a brackish or saltwater environment. Algae and barnacle growth can happen relatively quickly, especially on an unwaxed hull. Generally, you can keep your boat in the water for a week to 10 days without significant marine growth. However, warmer temps, higher salinity or stronger current can accelerate growth. Cleaning and waxing your hull prior to your trip can minimize the growth and reduce staining. Packing a brush can allow you to give your boat a quick scrub during the trip to eliminate any growth that has started.

Take a close look at the cleats on the dock you plan to use to ensure that they are fully secured and won’t break loose under pressure. Ensure you are using cleats that are properly positioned relative to the cleats on your boat. You want the lines to be at an angle that will both secure the boat and give more play for tide- or wind-driven water level changes.

Securing your boat properly overnight also requires you to consider how conditions can change over an extended period of time. Wind, current, tide and waves have to be accounted for, even if none of those conditions are present when you initially dock. Properly placing fenders to keep your hull from impacting the dock is critical, especially when the water level may change.

No matter how good the weather is when you leave your boat, you have to assume it will turn ugly while you are sleeping. Your bilge pump system can address water in the bilge, but many boats allow water to flow out of the cockpit through drains or scuppers. Because these drains often allow water to come into the cockpit, many boaters will plug these when they are out on the water and only remove the plugs when they are underway.

If you are docking overnight, you need to ensure these drains are open to allow any rainwater to flow out of the cockpit area. You will also want to secure any loose equipment or safety gear that could blow away in a sudden gust. The goal here is simple: leave the boat in a condition that, no matter what the weather brings, you can sleep well at night.

Keeping your boat in the water overnight may also require you to consider how you will charge the batteries, wash down the deck and flush the engine. While it may not be necessary to rinse your decks or flush your engine daily on a relatively short vacation, if you can get access to freshwater to do so, it will be better for your boat in the long run.

Having access to electricity is critical, not only to recharge your batteries but also to ensure your automatic bilge pump has sufficient power throughout the night. If the marina or dock has shore power, make sure you have the right receptacle to use it, or that you have a pigtail adapter. You may also want to pack a long extension cord in case the power source is far away. If you use an extension cord, make sure you are careful to keep it out of the water and that it is plugged into a GFCI outlet. If no power source is available, a solar-powered charger may be an option, depending on your needs. 

Equipment: It’s always a good idea to remove any and all equipment from the boat. If you can carry it off the boat, so can a thief, so take the time to eliminate temptation. Pay particular attention to any electronics that are not flush mounted, as these are the most likely to disappear. Keeping your remotes, cockpit plugs, keys and kill switch in a small, waterproof container makes it easy to remove these and keep them together to avoid losing them.

Cockpit plugs: Remember to always remove any plugs from your cockpit drains regardless of the weather forecast. This will ensure that any unexpected rainwater will flow quickly out of the boat.

Outboard engine: Raise your outboard engine, especially if you are in saltwater. Not only will this keep the engine out of the salt, it will also keep it off the bottom at low tide.

Plug and flush: If power and freshwater are available, plug in your charger and flush your engine. Do one last check of your dock lines, then enjoy a peaceful night.