Storing boats over the winter.
Question:
I live in an area where I am storing boats for a number of months over the winter is a requirement. What’s the best way to protect my boat?
Answer:
When storing boats (whatever the reason) you should always cover it to keep out the “riff raff” (bugs, dust, birds, small animals). But, just putting a tarp over it is not enough. Owners should make sure that they remove all the paper goods that can be damaged by moisture or mice. Don’t entice small rodents and bugs by leaving food or food scrap stored in the cabinets.
It’s also important to remove or rearrange the cushions, seat pads and flotation equipment. The best is to remove anything that can absorb moisture and smells and store the items in a secure dry location. Usually that’s not possible do make sure that as much of the dirt and moisture is removed from the cushions and jacket prior to covering the boat.
You will also want to put all the cushion or pads on their edges to reduce the amount of surface area that is in contact with another surface. To keep the cushions dry and free from mold and mildew you need to have as much airflow going around them as possible.
It will also be very important to place some sort of moisture absorption packets or containers within the boat too reduce the moisture that will collect after the boat is stored.
Storing boats in a dry, climate control location is the best. But not many owners have that available so the next best thing is to cover the boat with a tarp or shrink-wrap. A tarp would probably be the second choice. A canvas cover or tarp will stop things from dropping into the boat and seal out the majority of the dirt and crud, but often they are not tight enough around the edges to prevent bugs, mice and moisture from entering. Additionally, canvas covers will leak if the moisture pools on the top surfaces. If you store the boat at an outside facility the wind can take any loose area of a tarp and start it flapping usually resulting in tears to the cover and damage to the boats surface.
A better system is to shrink wrap the boat with something like Dr. Shrink’s shrink-wrap. www.dr-shrink.com. Dr. Shrink can provide a boat owner with a complete kit of materials and tools to shrink-wrap a boat of almost any size. Actually, they can provide the supplies to shrink-wrap almost anything you want.
The kits include material, tape, supports and vents. If needed, you can even get a propane powered heat gun to shrink the material. The shrink-wrap materials are waterproof and virtually tear proof. And if installed correctly should not be loose or susceptible to winds and flapping. The supports are used to keep the shrink-wrap from sagging and collection pools of moisture or snow.
To get a good shrink-wrap requires that you remove the wax from the surface that the tapes will stick to. This is also a good time to clean the exterior of the boat. A good coat of wax on the boats surface (except where the tape line to hold the shrink wrap down will be) reduces the amount or dirt and grime that stick to the surface. Springtime preparation will be a lot easier if you wax up the surface before you park the boat.
You will also need to install the support brackets, moisture absorption packets and vents and access panels. One thing about shrink-wrapping, it is more difficult to remove than a tarp and if you do the job right, it seals the boat very well preventing moisture from getting in OR out. Having a few cross flow vents will allow air to move back and forth (in and out) of the covered area. This airflow will reduce the build up of moisture and the risk of mold and mildew. An access panel to get through the shrink-wrap will allow you to get to the absorption packets so they can be replaced. Most absorption packets or buckets (I use Damp Rid) will need to be dumped and refilled at least once over the winter season
I have met a couple of people that sprinkle “moth balls” through out the boat to keep moths, assorted bugs and, they say, mice from living in the boat. Mousetraps and poisons might catch the unwanted squatters, but need to be monitored on a regular basis.
Storing boats doesn’t happen just in the winter. Anytime you plan on leaving your boat stored for any length of time make sure you protect it. Again, whatever means you use to cover and store your boat make sure that you have taken all the necessary precautions by removing fragile items, food and papers. Open drains, elevate the bow, remove the battery to prevent freezing, treat the fuel system and winterize the engine. These items and more must be done to protect the boat. If you feel you cant or don’t want to do this as the owner, pay a professional.