Tag: boat maintenance

Boat Basics: Options for Winter Boat Storage

Posted on Staff

When storing your boat in cold environments over long periods of time, it’s important to keep in mind several things.

Besides preparation, which deserves an entire article in its own right, there are a plethora of boat storage options for essentially any budget and preference.

The question becomes- what is your highest priority?

The answer to that question will determine exactly how and where you decide to store your boat, and this article aims to make that decision as easy as possible for you.

The options are simple, but the differences between them can be subtle. To put it at its simplest, you have indoor and outdoor storage.

Indoor storage is more expensive, but safer and better for your boat in the long run.

Outdoor storage is often cheaper, but puts your boat at a higher risk, and- if it’s stored at home- can be an eyesore.

But options don’t stop there. Boat owners can choose from have rack-based storage, garage storage, and individual boat sheds.

Here are a few options to consider for winter boat storage:

Outdoor Winter Boat Storage

indoor boat rack storage

Your yard and driveway are the most convenient and cheapest options for winter boat storage.

You can store them for very cheap, often free, and require no travel time to pick it up when you are ready to hit the water.

However, the drawbacks are obvious- your boat will only be protected by the elements by a tarp or boat cover, and many consider this sort of storage to be unattractive.

The other outdoor option is a boat lift on your dock. This will hoist your boat out of the water and suspend it in your dock or boat house, making it easy to access when the time comes to use the boat again.

Many local marinas also offer boat slips for storage if you do not have a dock with a boat lift on your property.

This is not as convenient as having your boat on your property, but is still as simple as driving to the local marina then popping your boat back into the water.

With any of these options you will want to make sure to winterize your boat, or have a professional do it, to protect from freezing temperatures.

Indoor Winter Boat Storage

If you have a large enough garage, and space for all your vehicles, or don’t mind leaving a car outside, you can always store your boat right in your own house.

This has the convenience of keeping your boat on your property, and if it is an attached garage, the heat from your home will help keep your boat from reaching sub-freezing temperatures.

This is where things diverge, and get pricey.

First, you can utilize indoor dry racks; they’re safer, but often more expensive than outdoor storage. These warehouse-like buildings store boats in racks, up to six high.

If this is the option you choose, the process of retrieving your boat can be a bit of an inconvenience.

The most expensive option is climate controlled, rented, indoor storage.

While not available everywhere, these storage facilities, similar to a traditional storage unit, ensure that your boat will be secure and completely protected from the elements while not in use.

While the list is fairly simple, it’s important to understand what options are available so you can make a well-informed decision when it comes time to put your boat up for cold weather.

Keep in mind the aesthetic you want, your price range, and how important complete safety from the elements is to you when making the choice.

How to Winterize Your Boat for the Off Season

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

a boat covered and prepared for winterIf you own a home right on the lake, then you may be lucky enough to have direct access to the water.

There’s nothing quite like being able to walk out of your lake home, onto the dock, and right on to your boat!

In light of colder weather, though, you might not be taking it out as often. This is especially true if you’re on a lake that can freeze during the winter time.

Exposure to harsh temperatures for an extended period of time can threaten your boat’s health. We suggest you winterize it to minimize any damage from occurring.

Winterize Your Boat, Protect Your Investment

  • Fill your boat’s fuel tank – Ensure the boat’s fuel tank is filled roughly to capacity. But remember, don’t fill it all the way up! Leave a little space to allow for the expansion that often occurs during cold weather. Don’t forget to add gasoline stabilizer, as well. This will help keep your boat’s fuel from degrading during the winter. It also slows down the oxidation process in addition to preventing varnish and corrosion.
  • Close your boat’s fuel valves – To avoid condensation from occurring inside the fuel tank, be sure to close the fuel valves. You’ll also want to replace the fuel filter and water separator. Afterwards, seal all thru-port exhaust ports using duct tape.
  • Coat your boat’s spark plugs – Remove the engine flame arrester and, while the engine is running, shoot two-cycle oil into the carburetor. In order to burn any excess fuel, turn the fuel supply off. To coat the spark plugs, spin the engine a few times. Replace the plugs but don’t connect any of the wires. These steps will prevent the pistons of the boat from being exposed to air and dampness.
  • Fill your boat’s engine block – First, make sure all leftover engine coolant is drained from the engine block. Then fill it with antifreeze. Be sure to use antifreeze that’s appropriate for the model of your boat.Antifreeze for boat winterization
  • Change the gear oil of your boat’s engine – If your boat contains an inboard/outdrive engine, you’ll want to flush the lower unite gear case lubricant and replace it to keep the engine’s internal parts from becoming damaged by water.
  • Remove the boat’s battery – Before taking the battery out of your boat, ensure that it’s fully charged. Store the battery in a place that is safe and dry for the remainder of the winter.
  • Check the boat’s propeller and hub – Inspect the blades for damage or severe wear and tear. Replace or repair anything that’s too damaged.boat propeller
  • Protect your boat’s plugs and bulb sockets – Use a moisture-displacing lubricant to coat the plugs and bulb sockets’ contact points. With electrical tape, cover the plugs to keep them dry for the remainder of winter.
  • Clean your boat – After following these steps, clean it one more time to remove any surface dirt that might have collected. Before you start, make sure the cleaning solutions you’re about to use are appropriate for the boat. For the most part, over-the-counter glass cleaners, vinyl cleaners and vinegar and water solutions should be safe and effective.
  • Cover your boat – Lastly, cover the boat with a waterproof tarp or canvas to protect it from rain, snow, ice, and other debris.

Winterizing your boat is incredibly important. Exposure to harsh winter weather can be damaging to what may be one of your biggest investments. Be sure to use these tips to ensure your boat will survive the off-season and be ready to hit the water running next year!