Like your car, boats need the proper care and maintenance to keep them running their best. The winter season can be harsh on all types of boats, so it’s important to be prepared. When boating season is over, winter boat storage protects your boat from the elements. However, it’s easy to make mistakes if you don’t prepare it properly.
Before bringing using a boat storage facility, you should make sure that you’ve done everything right to prepare your boat for the winter ahead.
Here are seven mistakes that you should avoid making when preparing for winter boat storage.
1. You Didn’t Store Your Boat In Time
Life is busy and you have other important things on your mind but to keep your boat in good condition, you don’t want to wait too long to prepare to store it.
If you do, many issues can happen. Your boat may start to accumulate snow or ice. When leaving it exposed to the elements in this way, it can cause some serious damage.
Ice can puncture your seats or damage other aspects of the boat.
If you leave it in this condition, moisture can also make its way into the boat. When the warm season hits, you’ll find that mold and mildew may start growing within your boat. This is another issue in itself that will need fixing in the spring.
To avoid this issue, be sure to make a plan for winter boat storage. By doing this, you’ll have adequate time to prepare and get it to the boat storage facility before the snow or cold weather hits.
2. The Boat Was Not Cleaned
It may seem harmless, but dirty boats can take some damage over the winter while in storage. Dirt left on the boat can cause scratches and other imperfections that can take a toll on it.
When you bring it out in the spring, the build-up of dirt will also be much harder to clean off. Remember to be proactive and do the cleaning before it goes into winter storage.
Though it takes time, it’s worth it to protect a boat that you invested in.
3. The Heat Was Left On
Some boats have climate controls that make for a comfortable experience while onboard. Though it may be tempting, a mistake that many make is to leave the heat on all winter.
This may seem like a great way to keep the boat in good shape, but it can actually become a fire hazard, and do more harm than good.
Many have the impression that doing this will be beneficial for the engine, but it’s much better to winterize it. By doing this, you can rest assured that your boat will be safe from fire hazards. You can also be sure that your engine will run smoothly when the spring returns.
4. Blocked Drains
Many boat owners assume that the drains on their boat are working properly. Unfortunately, this mistake can cost you, and cause damage to your boat.
It’s easy for drains to get blocked, which may seem harmless at first, but is very detrimental in the winter. When stored, water can build up in the drains and freeze over. When this happens, it can expand and break parts of the boat.
To avoid this, be sure to do a thorough check of all the drains before you go to a boat storage facility.
5. Equipment In the Boat
The winter can take a toll on equipment just as it does on your boat itself. If you have items like fish finders or life jackets, it’s best not to leave them in the boat.
Not only are they susceptible to being damaged, but they can also be stolen.
It’s good practice to remove any equipment that’s in your boat before storing in the winter. When storing in a boat storage facility there will be good security, but it’s still good practice to take any items out.
6. Not Conducting Proper Maintenance
If you care about your boat, you probably already do maintenance on it each year. This is good practice, and important to do before storing your boat for the winter.
Just parking your boat and leaving it for the winter might be easy, but it will cause problems for you later. It’s worth the time of preparing it for winter boat storage.
You can start by cleaning the inside and outside of the boat. As mentioned earlier, it will help it stay in good condition and make things easier for you come spring.
Check the engine and make sure that it’s in good condition. Change the oil and ensure that all fluid levels are good.
With proper maintenance, your boat will be just as you left it when you come back in the spring.
7. It Wasn’t Covered
Covering your boat wrong can cause many problems for you later. To do it right, be sure that the cover is the right size, and that it’s protective enough to withstand the rain or snow.
For an extra layer of protection, you can also choose a boat storage facility that offers covered or uncovered storage. You can easily protect and accommodate your boat for the winter in the facility. Remember that even if you choose covered storage, you should still put a cover on your boat.
You won’t have to worry about your boat because it will be covered.
Prepare for Winter Boat Storage the Right Way
Avoiding mistakes when doing winter boat storage will help you to keep your boat protected and in good condition. These are common mistakes that many boat owners make, which can cause them trouble later on.
We have covered and uncovered winter boat storage options here at Ideal Storage in Kingston. Our lots are large and can accommodate many different sizes of boats. We can make it easy for you to store your boat for the winter at our facility.
Are you looking to store your boat in a secure facility for the winter in Kingston, WA? Reserve your spot or rent one now.