preparing your boat for storage
1. Clean Your Boat
Empty your boat of all items and trash to keep out unwanted pests or rodents. Once you’ve decluttered, clean the interior parts of your boat, using a mixture of hot soapy water. Wipe down all the seats and cabinets, and turn any cushions at an angle to prevent mildew build-up.
Additionally, a hot, soapy water mixture is perfect on the exterior of your boat because you’re going to clean the engine in addition to the hull bottoms, hull and gel-coat surfaces, and the canvas. Cleaning your boat before you put it in storage may seem like a hassle, but it will pay off when you take it back out on the lake in the following season, and you’ve got the best-looking boat on the water!
2. Remove and Disconnect the Battery
Disconnect and remove the battery of your boat. A fully charged battery can hold its charge for 6-12 months. Once you remove the battery, we recommend you take it home with you and store it somewhere safe for you to come back to it next season.
3. Perform Boat Engine and Fuel System Maintenance
Protect your engine. Remove all the water with a hose and then use compressed air to blow out any water remaining. As your boat sits untouched in the off season, your engine builds up oil residue, which results in damage and won’t allow your boat to run correctly.
Winterizing your boat is another best practice when preparing your boat for storage. When you store your boat in a cold winter climate, you must winterize your engine to prevent it from freezing. All you do is add an anti-freezing mixture to the cooling system and run the engine for a few minutes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, plenty of expert boat mechanics would be happy to help!
4. Protect Your Boat from Corrosion
Fill up the tank with gas. When the gas tank is empty or partially empty, condensation builds up inside, leading to corrosion or other damage. In addition to filling the tank, add gasoline stabilizer to make sure the gas is good to go when the weather begins to warm up.
5. Cover Your Boat
Lastly, cover your boat. Whether your boat is stored indoors or outdoors, it’s essential to have a cover over it. Without a boat cover or some sort of tarp to offer protection, your boat could end up covered in dust, debris, or potential damage. That extra layer of protection goes a long way and keeps your boat looking flawless for years to come.
