Personally if it was an 18 footer I would trailer. With boats above 22 feet I would rent a slip but then again that’s just me. Even at 22 foot I did rent storage Space and a facility that was close to where I launch from. It’s save wear and tear on my vehicle. Good luck hope this helps you

 

I would rent a slip if money is not an object. When I would tow my boat sometimes the ramps would be backed up trying to launch or when trying to bring the boat in people on wave runners would cut me off and tie up the docks. I also didn't like having my son have to be responsible for the boat while I went to get the trailer. To me having my boat already in the water when I got there was a lot less stressful.

 

I've always trailered, my father in law bought a 32 Marinette nice boat never gotta worry about the ramps being backed up just go to his dock and take off. Only downside is it has a flybridge so we have to wait for the lift bridge sometimes timing screws us and we have to wait a half hour, but I've waiting longer than that at the docks before.

 

It is nice to just jump in, fuel up, and motor away. However I am cheap and docking does tend to tie you to that water.

Launching is not a big deal once you get the hang of it and provides back door opportunity to teach the kid some responsibilty. From 7 yo my job was to make sure the plug was in, and my launching responsibilities grew as I did.

 

I consider the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ & what ELSE I could do with it.
& the size of the boat.
For 'under' the cost of the dock, I got a spot at a fantastic FISHERMAN'S camp ground.
If the early eyes & perch are over there,,,,, I go there.
If they move farther East,,,,, it'll take 20 min to get there!
PLUS the ability to easily hit 2 or 3 rivers & their breakwalls,,, for 3 MONTHS of early season panfish, steel & CATS!

I can't wait for the G-Kids to get old enough to stay over on the weekends!
Where I fish in the spring,,,,, It's a 'KIDS' panfish paradise. ;>)

 

I would trailer until you really feel like getting a slip. I'm assuming you bought a used boat. There are things your gonna wanna install and fix on the boat. Much easier to do that stuff at home instead of hauling a tool box to the slip and then forgeting something else you needed, or dropping your tools in the water. Also you'll have to get used to the boat, like mine I found I have a slightly leaking rivet, which I have fixed since then, but I really didn't notice it until I had it a few months. Got a auto bilge but no way in hell I would trust it for a extended period of time. After about a year you'll know what you wanna do. This forum is a great resource, I've learned soo much stuff on hear it's crazy. If you got a ?? just do a search or ask away. I have a 19' and I trailer because I just go to where the bite is.

 

I trailered a 24ft grady white for years.and its a 75 mile tow one way, this way we followed the fish. from west to east. I,ve seen what the bottom of a boat looks like after a month no thanks what a mess. I like my equipt neat and clean. you have a small boat ,you can fish a new hole every trip.

 

IMHO There is no other feeling like walking to your boat on the morning of a trip. Throw everything in the boat and go. with an 18 footer, you will be able to trailer much easier than my 22 footer. I suggest you look into Bay Boat club. Your boat might be the largest in there. They have a ramp directly to LE and everyone keeps the boats on a trailer. You might get the best of both worlds. If I had a boat here instead of Catawba, I would consider the club.
Rickerd

 

I've trailered a boat for the past 30 years. I have a 24' wellcraft. I would never dock it the crap on the bottom one night I docked had hell of time to clean the crap off. Plus would you want to leave all your electronics and fishing gear in the boat. There are always sticky fingers out there. Much easier trailer the boat bring it home clean it. That's my two cents advice!!!!!!

 

With an 18'er, agree with all those suggesting to trailer.

 

Being so close to the lake I'd trailer every time. Takes minutes to launch and be versatile on area's. Leaving a boat at a dock it gets filthy, better not leak, hard on canvas, equipment must be removed or boat locked up. Those are all major pains in the @ss. I take my boat home every time all loaded like it left, it's washed and polished for the next trip every time. No docks for this guy any more.

 

Depends on your priorities... If you are primarily interested on staying on the hot bite, trailer. If convenience is more important, dock it.
My wife tells me I would implode during one of the many storms though... not being able to see or know what's going on.
I hate it when she's right.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like I should trailer for a while. Just be patient with me if you run into me at the ramp. I'm not being an idiot on purpose. I will do my best to follow the proper etiquette. I'll also practice backing up in a empty parking lot.

 

It will become second nature after a short while and like riding a bike or shifting a manual, the skill might become rusty but you will not forget how.
The hard part is remembering to put in the plug everytime. LOL

 

might even make some practice runs.I,ve been doing it for 50yrs ,and some times still screw up a little. learn to use your mirrors.when your in the lane just take it easy,

 

+1 on this.
If there ever was a situation in which the saying 'practice makes perfect' is true...its launching/retrieving a boat.
And during rush hour at the docks is NOT the time to practice.
For sure its not brain surgery.
But if you don't stay calm, take your time and follow a good...practiced routine, you and everyone around you are going to have a bad day.
If there's a large vacant parking lot around you, practice there. Schools on the weekends are sometimes a good place to look. Take you some oranges cones or plastic buckets and practice using your mirrors backing.
Also practice your routine of prepping your boat to put in the water(which is done in the prep area when actually docking).
After you're confident in the parking lot, find a smaller less populated lake with docks and practice your complete routine while it's still cold and not busy.
Lastly, if there's an experienced boating person you know, see if they will go with you. Especially on your practice trips at an actual dock and most especially your first couple trips during busy times.
Again, while this may sound difficult...its really not.

 

Less upkeep if you trailer. Corrosion on the lower unit and algae on the hull, plus bird crap and spiders as well as worrying if there is a storm or significant level change, all part of in the slip. Consider rack storage then all you worry about is bird crap (top rack) and some fool that fills his tank and it overflows due to hot storage. I did it all with my various boats, 24 ft to 19 ft and finally decided to get a 186 Starcraft and trailer it. Life became more enjoyable and I began to appreciate birds again.

 

Don't spend the money on a slip just because you are new to the towing/backing/launching drill. A little practice & a moderately trained chimpanzee could do it. Gives your son a "job" & he'll learn in the process, too. The most difficult part is tolerating the underachieving "chimps" who are deliberately rude in their efforts.

I trailer all the time &, as others have said, like the security & convenience of being able to immediately access the boat @ any time. Have a friend who keeps a boat in the water (Lake Cumberland) & he complains about the constant "fowling" of his slip cover & has lost several tools to the Deep Water Gods while wrenching. Trailering helps you avoid the burn of Marina Gas Bucks, too.

 

They both have their advantages. You have decide what you want to do. First there is $. A dock will cost you, but the convenience and time you save are immense.
Where will you put the trailer, can it be left at marina or do you need to find a place? If you can leave it at marina do they have a ramp, if so how many times are you permitted to use the ramp before being charged? If the ramp is there you can periodically pull the boat and pressure wash the hull. Do you like people, there will be a social aspect or friendliness among most people in a marina. That’s not to say you can’t end up next to an a**hole, but they are at the launch also.
If you trailer there is the wear and tear on your tow vehicle. Yes you are beating the marina fuel pump price but those savings are going right into the tow vehicle fuel tank. Do you have anyone experienced or capable to assist you in trailering, launching, retrieving the boat, and when you go and do you want to do that every time?
The best scenario I feel is if you can find dry storage near a marina or ramp. You are only trailering a mile or two, and are beating marina fuel prices.

 

If you do trailer and are loading just be aware of what's going on around you. My most takes 5 min to be ready to launch. If I have someone with me the boat is backed down, started and off the trailer in 2 to 3 min. Couple more if I am alone. Same with loading.

I always appreciate the guy in front of me leting me go around and launch while they are geting ready to launch.

 

I've trailered mine from Youngstown to Erie for near 40 years. Wouldn't want to leave it there. This year, i'll be leaving mine at a campground on 84 as my cousin and best friend have a camp there now.

 

I do a little bit of both and like it.

I trailer my boat from ice out until the middle of may and then put it in a dock in Lorain. It stays there until November and then ill trailer again until im done for the year.

Doing it this way i get to chase the fish out west in the spring. Then once the big fish get to Lorain im in a dock ready to go. Then i get to chase the fish around in the fall/winter again.

The marina im in isnt fancy and is pretty cheap. It has a ramp and theres a gas station 1/2 mile away so i just pull the boat when it needs gas and go get it to save $1+ per gallon.

Ive never had anyone steal any equipment from me at the dock but i have had gas siphoned.