It doesn’t take an experienced boatman to know that the boat’s home is out in the open water. While it would be nice to sail the wide open sea or lake, there will inevitably be off-seasons when these activities are halted.
During these periods, you’ll need to store the vessel properly. The last thing you want is for your prized investment to succumb to the elements during its down period. Not only is this a major inconvenience, but it’s also an expensive and time-consuming task to repair.
If you’re a first-time boat owner or someone who has suffered the brunt of improper boat storage practices, use this guide to help you know the dos and donts of boat storage.
Do’s:
1) Inspect your boat for damage before storing it
If you’re storing your boat for an extended period, it’s important to thoroughly inspect for any damage before putting it into storage.
While the thought of inspecting a boat may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to take more than 10 minutes to actually do it.
Here are some general things to watch out for when initiating a boat inspection:
- Perform a quick walk-around, closely inspecting the hull, deck, strakes, chines, and stems. If there’s a crack or unusual sign of damage, you’ll want to repair them before you sail come the following season.
- Ensure there’s no water inside the boat. Open up hatches, dipsticks, and other compartments for signs of seepage and deal with them accordingly.
- Test the fuel and oil. If water has somehow gotten into the fuel, it needs to be drained and replaced. Similarly, check for fuel leaks and patch them up if you find any.
- Inspect the interior. Is there mould or algae growing in places where they shouldn’t? Clean affected areas by giving them a good scrub with fresh water, removing debris, and air-drying the boat completely before storing.
2) Prepare your boat for winter storage
If you’re like most temperate-dwelling boat owners, you’re probably storing your boat because of the looming winter weather. But you don’t want to put a tarp over it and call it a day. Doing so can accelerate the corrosion of the boat’s parts, which can be quite costly to repair once boating season returns.
As this is the case, you’ll want to follow the best practices for storing your boat in the winter. If you have an indoor storage area, place your boat inside for safety.
But if you’re keeping it outdoors, there are still some steps you can take to help protect your boat against the cold weather:
- Clean the engine with fresh water, then drain it thoroughly before storing.
- Fill the engine with antifreeze.
- Seal exhaust ports with duct tape to prevent varmints from entering.
- Cover your boat with a polyvinyl or tarp cover.
- Shrink-wrap your boat for extra protection against the elements. If kept indoors, use a dehumidifier.
By preparing your boat beforehand, you can embark on an exciting sailing adventure as soon as you take it out for the season. You can learn more here about preparing your boat.
Don’ts:
3) Don’t feel obligated to keep your boat
Owning a boat is not only a big object, it’s also a big responsibility. You may not be able to keep up with the repairs and maintenance as you once could, or maybe you’re finding that you just don’t have the time to use it as often as you’d like.
In these cases, it may be best to just sell the boat rather than keep it in storage. If you’re starting to lose interest in boating and want to move on to greener pastures, don’t feel obligated to keep and maintain it for years on end. This could cost you more money and effort than it’s worth in the long run.
That said, you can scour for prospecting buyers in your local community or online and at least give your old trusty pal a good home. If you’re unsure where to start, you can visit online vehicle marketplaces for more information on how to list your boat for sale.
4) Don’t leave your boat in the water for long periods
While it may be tempting to just leave your boat in the water and hop on it once you need to, this can actually cause more harm than good in the long run.
When a boat is left in the water for an extended period, it gets subjected to harsh weather and the elements, resulting in saltwater corrosion. This can cause serious damage to the hull, engine, and other metal parts. Floating debris like seaweed and branches can also cause paint scratches and other forms of damage to your boat’s exterior.
As much as possible, avoid leaving your boat in the water for more than a couple of days. Dry storage is a much safer option for your boat, especially during the winter months. If you need to leave it out temporarily, use a mooring ball or dock for added protection against the elements.
5) Don’t leave trash inside the boat
This one’s fairly self-explanatory, but a lot of people overlook it. When you’re done using your boat, make sure to remove all trash from your boat and dispose of it properly.
Not only will this leave your vessel tidy for next time, but it also prevents animals from invading the boat when you’re away. Even if the boat is in pristine condition before storage, critters can still get in and cause a mess if trash is around.
So, keep clean!
