You’ve enjoyed your boat all summer, but now that cold weather has arrived, it’s time to think about storing your boat. Proper boat storage involves more than just taking it out of the water. To avoid unexpected damage and costly repairs, it’s essential to prepare your boat before you store it. Here’s how to get your boat ready for storage.
Clean Your Boat
Before taking your boat to storage, give it a thorough cleaning. Scrub the hull and the interior with soap and water. Remove any residue and barnacles. If your boat has a cabin, check your cabinets and refrigerator and remove any food items. You should also wax the boat’s hull.
Prepare Your Boat Engine
While idling the engine, flush your boat’s outboard engine with fresh water and refill your cooling system with antifreeze. Disconnect your fuel hose, then let the engine run until it stops. This will drain your fuel line. Apply fogging oil to your spark plug holes and your carburetor. Top off your fuel tank, and don’t forget to add fuel stabilizer.
Disconnect the Battery
Make sure your battery is fully charged, then disconnect your battery cables. Clean your battery terminals. Coat the battery terminals and the battery cable ends with grease. Store the battery in a dry, warm place.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Proper lubrication will keep your boat running smoothly when you take it out again. Lubricate your steering system and control mechanisms to protect them during storage.
Cover Your Boat
Cover your boat to protect it from dust, dirt, and moisture. For long-term storage, shrink wrapping your boat can provide an extra layer of protection.
If you’re looking for a place to store your boat this season, give us a call. Party Barn Boat & RV Storage offers covered, enclosed, and uncovered storage options. Contact us to learn more.