Leaving aluminum boat in slip all season harm it?

[mhall]

Just scum on the bottom unless we experience a big freeze on the lake you have it on. Then the freezing thawing expansion thing can cause some issues but that would be very rare. Cover it well though as critters play havoc with boats in the winter.

[Bassky]

I agree with both posts. My dad kept his aluminum boat in the water year round down on Watts Bar Lake. He would take it out early spring and power wash the scum off the bottom. If you dont, you will lose speed and gas mileage. Watts Bar never froze so he never had the extreme temp changes. On Ky lake you would, unless you are in Tennessee.
Bassky

[stripernut1]

Thyme an mark are right on. It wont do anything but cause a little waterline scum mark on the hull, you can pull the boat out and take it to the car wash and spray the scum line off fairly easy , but be careful and dont blast the decals and stripes off.
Also you will need to make sure your automatic bilge pump is in perfect condition. And check it periodically.
More attention needs to be given to the water intake ports on the motor, keep these completely clear of algae build up, the little bits of debris will be sucked up into the water pump impeller when you first start the boat and idle, it wont hurt anything immediately but will take its toll when the motor is shut off and the debris dries out over time, then a month later the water pump isnt pumping water. This isnt an absolute thing but be mindful of it amd watch the water pump stream each time you start the motor to see that its working.
And like mark said....dont leave anything a coon thinks would be a good snack...this includes crackers, powerbait anything, and they need boat keys for some reason too?
Otjerwise you shouldnt have any problems leaving your boat through the spring summer and fall, I would dry store my boat in the coldest winter months though to avoid busted lower units et etc, but thats just me

[SLP]

Thanks, I appreciate everyone's advise, it helps give me information as I consider it.

[SLP]

Thyme an mark are right on. It wont do anything but cause a little waterline scum mark on the hull, you can pull the boat out and take it to the car wash and spray the scum line off fairly easy , but be careful and dont blast the decals and stripes off.
Also you will need to make sure your automatic bilge pump is in perfect condition. And check it periodically.
More attention needs to be given to the water intake ports on the motor, keep these completely clear of algae build up, the little bits of debris will be sucked up into the water pump impeller when you first start the boat and idle, it wont hurt anything immediately but will take its toll when the motor is shut off and the debris dries out over time, then a month later the water pump isnt pumping water. This isnt an absolute thing but be mindful of it amd watch the water pump stream each time you start the motor to see that its working.
And like mark said....dont leave anything a coon thinks would be a good snack...this includes crackers, powerbait anything, and they need boat keys for some reason too?
Otjerwise you shouldnt have any problems leaving your boat through the spring summer and fall, I would dry store my boat in the coldest winter months though to avoid busted lower units et etc, but thats just me

If you raised the motor out of the water while not in use could you maybe put a piece of tape over the water intakes to better protect it? Ever hear of anyone doing something like that?

I'll have to look in my owners manual about whether my bilge pump is auto or not. I know it has a switch I use to turn it on and activate the pump when needed.

Thanks for all the advise, it is very helpful.

[stripernut1]

If you raised the motor out of the water while not in use could you maybe put a piece of tape over the water intakes to better protect it? Ever hear of anyone doing something like that?

I'll have to look in my owners manual about whether my bilge pump is auto or not. I know it has a switch I use to turn it on and activate the pump when needed.

Thanks for all the advise, it is very helpful.

im sure you could do something like that, maybe stick a pc of tape on the key switch to remind you or something of that nature. Its not a big deal if you just remember to always look at your water pump stream everytime you start the motor, if its not pumping at a good strong flow just change the water pump, I change mine every year in april anyway.