Winter Boat Storage Tips

When the weather turns chilly, many boat owners choose to put their boats aside for the winter. However, if you just leave your boat on its trailer for months at a time, you’re leaving it vulnerable to weather damage, pest infestation, theft, vandalism, and mechanical problems that could cost you a pretty penny come springtime. Here’s how to properly store your boat over the winter so that it’s all ready to go when the weather warms up again.

Clean It Up

Your first order of business is to clean and wash your boat. Remove all personal items, including swimming gear, towels, fishing equipment, and expensive navigational aids. Bag up all trash and take all food items off the boat. Clean up any spills and anything that produces an odor, including livewells or baitwells. Sweep and mop the deck and wipe the console and seats, checking for signs of mold or mildew. You should hose down the hull and scrub away any stuck-on debris, then apply a protective coat of wax.

Perform Repairs

Next, you’ll want to address any maintenance tasks that you haven’t taken care of already. This includes adding fresh fuel with a stabilizer to your engine and running it to circulate the fuel through all the engine parts, as well as changing out the oil and filters. Check your battery for signs of corrosion. 

Locate Secure Storage

You can choose to store your boat indoors or outdoors, although indoors is safer. Either way, you should invest in a snug-fitting cover for your boat that protects it from the elements. If you choose indoor storage, this could be your garage or shed, a rented storage unit, or a dry storage facility at your local marina. Outdoor storage could be in a marina slip or on your property. Try to avoid parking your boat on the street or out in the open; if you can put it behind a fence and underneath a carport or other shelter, this is best.

Come see us at our location in Seneca, SC, today to view our current inventory of new and used boats for sale. We can also provide you with financing assistance on your boat purchase. JC Sports proudly serves our South Carolina customers in the cities of Greenville and Anderson.