Putting your boats away till the next time is always a tough ask. Not only do you miss experiencing bliss in the waters, but putting it away is a hassle in itself.
Boat owners often face the issue of storing their boats during the off-season or winter. Though it sounds simple enough to cover the boat, store it, bring it to water when required, it is not that simple. Storing a boat is a painstaking process that involves multiple steps.
Premier Watersports the trusted boat dealers in Knoxville has compiled a few easy steps to make it easy for boat lovers to store their precious possession when not in use. However, if performed correctly, these steps shall ensure your boat remains in pristine condition. And the more care is taken before storing; the easier it is to de-winterize your boat.
Let us first understand what are we protecting our boat against while storing?
There are certain things to factor in while storing your boat. The location or facility you choose must ensure your boat is protected from:
- Moisture from rain and snow
- Sun exposure
- The extreme wavering of temperatures
- Vandalism or theft
- Algae, mold
- Mechanical issues from disuse
Each of the aforementioned factors is a potential threat to your boat’s health. Whilst vandalism or theft is extreme, constant exposure to varying temperatures has a similar impact on the boat. It can derail the boat’s functioning and render it useless.
So, where should boat owners store their boats during the off-season?
There are several options for storing your boat during the off-season. The choice entirely depends on your budget and convenience. To make the selection a little easier, here we list out the options and their features.
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Self-storage
This option is where you store your boat at your home or a self-storage facility. Boat owners with small boats can afford to use this option and store their boats at their residence. This can be their garage, multipurpose space, or any other place big enough to accommodate a boat.
If in case, you are living at a waterfront residence, you may store your boat on the water.
Though this might be the least expensive option, there are several other considerations.
First of all, is it allowed by legal authorities like HOAs? Are there any fees attached to the storage? How protected is the space from insects, termites, and other creatures?
Answering these questions shall provide deeper insights into the feasibility of the space to be used for boat storage.
Pontoon boats and supra boats perfectly fit the bill for storing in garages or backyard.
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Boatyards
In this option, you rent a space in a boatyard to store your boat. Oftentimes, these are outdoor, but there are slightly expensive options with indoor facilities too. These places are more boat-friendly than your garage, with easy access to safety tools and products.
The key considerations are the surface on which your boat and its trailer are going to be. Gravel, grass, or even pavement can be the options, so choose wisely and according to your boat’s needs.
Several boats for sale can also be found here in the boat storage facility. These boatyards are usually found near water or other marinas. So, grab a high-quality cover for your boat and cover it up in the boatyard.
And the reason for the cover is to keep the mold and fungus away from your boat. The cover also adds up to protect your boat from excessive exposure to the sun.
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Marina slips
If you are unsure of how long you are going to store your boat, marina slips are your best bet. Your boat sits on the water, ready to launch. Whilst wet slips are preferable, several marinas offer covered storage and lift slips.
These ensure your boat is out of the water, yet easily accessible for you. Whenever needed, you can access the slip, and drive your boat into the waters.
Marina slips are more secure than boatyards but at a price. They are substantially more expensive than other modes of storage. While yachts or other large boats always stay at marina slips, smaller boats too consider these. If you own any of the Yamaha outboards, marina slips would be the ideal choice.
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High and dry storage
No garage, no outdoor storage, well, here is the final resort. And yes, it is similar to a resort for boats. High and dry storages are places with several racks and spaces for storing boats. Using forklifts to lift and lower the boats, these are usually the safest places to store your boat.
And since the boats are stored indoors, the impact of snow, sun, and others are eliminated.
However, these storages are tough to find and access. With spaces being filled regularly, finding a rack that suits your boat’s dimensions is tough. Likewise, once you find a space, you are at the mercy of the store staff to access your boat.
On the flip side, high and dry storage ensures your boat is in the right health. They prepare the boat for storage before lifting them. Likewise, on your request, they shall keep your boat prepared and in-water for your use.
And as guessed, these cost a lot of money but are worth every single penny. Premium ones like Yamaha boats and others are best suited for these storage facilities.
Now that you have decided where to store your boat but do you know about the vital prerequisites? Know these before you store your boat
The reliable Knoxville boat dealers highly recommend taking essential steps required for winterizing the boat.
- First of all, replace your boat’s engine oil. Drain the old oil completely and take it for a ride. As the engine is warmed up and in water, the last drops of impure oil get flushed out easily.
- Then, fill it with high-quality oil before storing it for the winter.
- Furthermore, use oil sprays to protect internal components and avoid rusting.
- Now, grease and lubricate the fittings and joints to protect against oxidation and corrosion.
- Now, clean the boat completely, wax it, and off it goes into the boat storage.
Final words:
So here is your complete guide on boat-storage during the off-season. We hope this will help you to pick the option most suitable for you.
Whether you decide to store your boat in-door or out-door, the important aspect is to take good care and winterize boats before time to result in smooth working when you actually start sailing again.