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Home > Blog > Winter Boat Storage: Protecting Your Boat During the Offseason
As much as it would be wonderful to enjoy year-round access to a boat on the water, plans are often thwarted by the unpredictable forces of nature. When temperatures drop, the once tranquil waterways succumb to the icy grip of winter, rendering them impassable. In such conditions, any boats left in the water are at risk of sustaining significant damage.
Properly preparing your boat for the cold season by winterizing and storing it can help prevent freezing and the growth of mold, mildew, and rust. If you don’t know where to start, our experts at Self Storage Plus have gathered tips on winterizing your boat, finding the right storage unit, and maintaining your watercraft over the offseason until spring arrives!
Preparing your watercraft for winter is crucial for maintaining and protecting your investment. Our team has broken down the watercraft winterization process into three simple steps you can follow to enjoy peace of mind throughout the winter!
To properly winterize your boat, thoroughly drain all fluids and water from the internal systems. Begin by draining the water from the raw water washdowns, live wells, and the bilge pump. Next, empty the freshwater plumbing systems such as sinks, tanks, and heads. Once the plumbing is empty, add antifreeze to prevent any remaining water from freezing and causing damage during the cold weather months.
Change the engine oil and replace the filter, which will prevent contaminated oil from accumulating in the oil reservoir and becoming acidic. When oil turns acidic, it can damage the engine components over time. Add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank before storing your vehicle for an extended period. The fuel stabilizer will help keep the fuel fresh, prevent it from breaking down and forming deposits, and create peace of mind that the engine starts up easily when you use the vehicle again in the spring.
Protect your boat’s engine from corrosion by giving it a good spray of a protective coating of oil, also known as fogging. Remove all valuables and personal items from your boat so you can account for them over the winter, and give it a detailed cleaning inside and out. As the cherry on top, apply waterproofing to the canvas and a fresh coat of wax before shrouding your boat with a high-quality cover.
When the offseason rolls around, you’ll want to have somewhere to park your boat securely and in compliance with city ordinances and homeowners association regulations. Even if you can street park or in the driveway, your boat takes up a ton of space and makes parking your other vehicles tricky. Finding boat storage near you is simple with Self Storage Plus, as we have drive-up covered storage for boats across the East Coast.
After you choose a Self Storage Plus facility near you, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of storage units versus outdoor parking spaces. While outdoor boat storage is usually more budget-friendly and offers ample secure parking, your watercraft is more exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind.
Though you can’t hit the waves as often as you’d like during the offseason, performing routine maintenance on your stored boat is important for its longevity. Visit your stored watercraft every month or every few weeks to inspect and clean for pest prevention, and confirm the boat cover is still secured.
Whether you plan to use your boat for family outings as your kids grow or for an annual friend fishing trip, winterizing and storing your boat in a secure storage unit gives you the peace of mind you deserve! Self Storage Plus provides affordable boat storage spaces.
Find a Self Storage Plus facility near you and explore our available storage units online to rent or reserve one. To speak with a friendly team member, call us today or complete an online contact form. Our frequently asked questions and blog also offer helpful information on the storage process, and our storage unit size guide can assist you in finding the perfect storage space.
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