HOW TO STORE YOUR BOAT FOR THE WINTER
We’re well into September and the summer is pretty much officially over, and if you own a boat, that means getting it ready for cold-weather storage.
There are a few essential steps to keeping your boat seaworthy over the winter. It’s not as simple as hauling it out of the water and throwing a tarp over it. Your little Boaty McBoatface needs some TLC before he goes down for a long winter’s nap. Here are a few tips for storing your boat over the winter.
Take care of the oil, fluids, and engine.
Storing a boat for months on end is hard on the engine, so make sure you “put it to bed” properly so it’ll fire up when you’re ready to hit the water again in the spring. Experts recommend changing the oil, draining the coolant, disconnecting the battery and filling the tank with gas. They also recommend spraying the engine with fogging oil to prevent rust. Check your manual or consult a mechanic for information on other additives or maintenance procedures you might need to follow.
Make sure it’s clean and dry.
Boat experts recommend you clean your boat with soap and water, inside and out, before you store it. Check with your local bylaws about washing vehicles outside of a car-wash — there may be water-treatment issues you don’t know about and you may need to make sure you wash it somewhere with a drain. Add a coat of wax for extra protection.
Wrap it up.
Yes, shrink-wrapping your boat for the winter is a real thing, and there are services that will wrap your boat for you. But if you’re feeling cost-conscious, you can use a boat cover or even a tarp. What’s most important is you protect your boat from the elements, especially if you’re storing it at an outdoor self-storage facility.
Choose a secure location.
You can store your boat in your driveway — if your homeowner’s association allows it — but choosing a secure self-storage facility gives you extra peace of mind. Mini Mall Storage Properties all have round-the-clock security, including secure access, so you can park your boat for the winter and know that it’s safe until you’re ready to hit the water again.
In the meantime, you can dream of summer as you wax your skis….
Learn more about Mini Mall Storage and find self storage near you.