Storing Your Boat
Feb. 1, 2008
How you maintain your boat off the water is just as important as how you maintain it on the water. Follow these simple suggestions and your investment will provide you with years of fun on the water.
One of the worst things you can do to your boat is to leave the plug in when the boat is out of the water. Water inside the boat will steam during the day and weaken the deck and stringers. When you pull your boat out of the water, remove the plug immediately and let all of the water drain out. When you get it home, leave the boat unplugged and keep the bow cranked up high.
Sun is also an enemy. It fades and rots your carpets, seats, and anything left uncovered on the boat. A mooring cover is one of the best investments you can make if you don’t keep your boat inside a garage. You can buy vents for your cover that allow warm air to escape through the top, and this circulation helps keep the boat dry and in good shape.
I wipe my boat down with a soft cloth as soon as it comes out of the water and into the parking lot. This keeps water marks and stains from setting on the hull. It only takes a few minutes and pays off big time.
Some people like to use a spray furniture polish, like Pledge, when they wipe down the boat. It can help remove marks and keep the boat clean. Wax keeps stains and alkali off, but increases the chances of sun damage, so use a product that says cleaner/polish. There are many made just for boats. Phillips products makes some really good ones called Pink Stuff and Purple Stuff. They also make a cleaner for the screens of your electronics. Check them out at www.phillipsfishingproducts.com.
If you plan to store your boat for an extended period you need to add a gas stabilizer made specifically for storage. Fuel is unstable and is meant to be used quickly. Putting your boat away without stabilizing the fuel may produce all kinds of gunk that will form in the fuel and clog your filters, lines, and jets or injectors.
Draining the fuel is not a good solution as the fumes left in the tank are dangerous and could explode, and water and corrosion could build up on the fuel tank wall. Fill the tank and add stabilizer before storing the boat.The oil in your engine can produce the same problems as the fuel; it will degrade and scum up after a while, and engine parts will be left uncoated which could cause them to rust and corrode. When you re-start the engine, those corroded parts will rub on each other and cause all sorts of problems. By simply adding a good oil stabilizer to the engine before long-term storage, you can prevent these problems. Get one that is specifically made for that purpose.
While you’re protecting the inside of the engine, don’t neglect the outside. If the boat is sitting around for long periods of time, exterior metal parts could rust, and rubber and plastic parts could turn brittle or crack. Other moving parts like steering cables, throttle linkage and trim controls can also develop problems with months of disuse. Protect them by spraying them with protectants that form a barrier between them and the atmosphere.
All of these products can be found at your boat dealership. The mechanic can tell you which ones you need and how to apply them. A few bucks spent in the fall can save you big money and a lot of aggravation come spring!