jrc@ritcv.UUCP (James R Carbin) (11/18/83)
I want to post a CAUTION based on an experience that I had this fall. The
marina where I store my boat has a new sling lift. Because the slings were
a) new and therefore somewhat abrasive and b) had not been immersed in the
water to any great degree to soften them, many (most?) boats at our
marina had a significant amount of their anti-fouling bottom paint removed
at the spots where the slings came in contact with the boat, and many of
them had noticeable scratches in their hulls. Colored hulls were particularly
susceptible to the scratches.
So, if your marina either buys a new sling lift or replaces slings, I
would suggest that you consider asking them to place towels or some other
soft material on the slings where it comes in contact with your boat before
they lift it out of the water.
as ever,
j.r. {allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!jrc
p.s. This is particularly annoying if you are using either a) bottom paint
which is suppose to last more than one season, or b) bottom paint that has
to be sprayed on (and presumably lasts more than one boating season.)