November 11, 2008
How to Store Your Craft During Winter
As the winter months advance, those who own boats must start to contemplate just how they are going to store their delicate machine, not to mention just how to properly insulate and prepare it for the cold.
When one lives in a severely cold climate, it is obvious that you must leave your boat out of the water during this time. The first option would be to keep the boat indoors where it is dry, or whether to gamble and store it outside.
Clearly if you use an outboard motor with your boat, you can store the motor indoors and the boat itself outdoors. This might be a fairly simple solution. However, if you are thinking about outdoor boat storage and your craft has an inboard engine, there are additional factors to consider with your decision.
It is not dangerous to keep your boat outdoors during cold months and even in snow, but if the cold weather persists for a long time, it could prove tricky to avoid problems.
If the engine or other components become frozen, it could result in expensive reparation that must wait all the way until springtime. So those who live in extremely cold whether should really rule out this option.
When you store your craft outdoor then make sure that you check the manufacturer’s suggestions when winterizing your boat. Also seek the advice of your dealer in case of any doubts. Use only those products for winterizing process which is approved by the manufacturer and if you use any other products your boat warranty may become void.
To ready engines for winter, they made need to be bleed of oils and coolants. If there are any pricey or touchy accessories that can be removed, it may be wise to move it indoors into a safe and dry environment. Make sure to cover the boat completely with a sturdy tarp, not a cheap plastic tarp. Instead purchase heavy duty canvas tarps, and make sure it completely covers the boat.
When the weather changes then remove all the covers and examine for any damage. Look for any signs of rot or animal infringement, and breaks due to the cold. Fix the damage at the earliest and also before laying the boat back into the water.
If you follow the company’s guidelines for winter storage and make sure it is covered in a quality tarp and constantly check for damages, you will have a beautiful boat in the spring.
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