When storing your favourite fishing boat away for the winter months, there are certain precautions every owner needs to take. How and where to store your boat is hotly debated; while some boating fanatics swear by home storage, others prefer professional storage systems away from the house and water. Make sure your vessel is protected, free from damage, and remains in perfect working order with these dos and don’ts of boat storage.
Do: Keep Your Boat Covered
Making sure your boat is fully covered is one of the most reliable ways to keep it secured during the off-season. The point is to avoid anything getting inside, including insects, spiders and small animals, even your pets.
Depending on your storage facilities, you may choose to cover your boat with a material cover as well as keeping in in a weatherproof unit or shed. There are many boat storage options available. Some boat owners opt for outdoor boat storage, parking the vessel on their driveway. Others choose a shed or a storage unit close to home.
No matter which option you choose, ensure that access to your boat is limited.
Don’t: Store Your Boat Outside
Though we’ve mentioned outdoor options in our storage solutions, even with a cover, it isn’t always best to leave your boat outside. It is far more difficult to limit access and prevent damage when your winter storage option is outdoors.
It’s impossible to control predators 24 hours a day. Not to mention the exposure to extreme weather such as snow and dust storms. Even a good cover can be penetrated by these elements and fail to properly protect your boat.
Storing your boat in the driveway can also require council approval and come with additional restrictions. Not to mention the impact on your property depending on the size of your land.
Do: Store With Enough Room
Boats need space to breathe. Many parts of the boat, such as the sails and furniture are great homes to breed mould and germs. Airflow helps prevent build-up and assists in keeping the interior smelling fresh.
Access to the boat is also critical. You might wish to work on damage or make simple improvements to get it ready for the next boating season. Ample access allows you to comfortably make these changes and upgrades.
Storing your boat in a common area, with plenty of space around the vessel helps to prevent damage from incidental contact. Just another reason to ensure plenty of room surrounding your boat.
Don’t: Store The Boat On A Hill Or Slant
Angled storage of a boat can result in damage to the hull. With the uneven weight placed on the hull from the slant, a boat can warp under the pressure. If the slant is unavoidable, consider blocks or pieces of wood to create a flat surface. This surface should be large enough to support the hull and take the weight off the keel.
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