Can Boats be Stored Outside During the Winter?
If you are interested in boating, you might have thought about joining boat clubs or utilizing boat rental services instead. These are good options to have, but what do you do during the winter months if you already own a boat? If the weather is cold, you really have to take a lot of precautions to protect your boat. These are just a few of the things you should consider when thinking about boat storage. If you follow these steps, your boat should only need a little fuel at the end of winter and you will be ready to use it again.
Store the Boat Outside
Outdoor boat storage is certainly possible for your boat during winter. If you decide to do this, it is especially important to pull your boat completely out of the water because ice and very cold water can do great damage to your boat. If you choose to store your boat outside, think about the following factors.
Boat Wrap is Best
Like a car, it is good to place a cover on your boat to protect it from hail, snow, and ice, but that’s not really enough. It is a far better idea to get some boat wrap from a local hardware store (or simply search for some online). Boat wraps give your boat more protection against cold, punishing weather.
Lock It Down
If you intend to store your boat for long periods of time, it needs to be ready for strong winds, hail, snow, and ice. This is especially true if you are concealing it somewhere off your property because you can’t monitor it as often. Also, keep in mind that thieves often try to steal boats in winter, so you need to think about security as well.
Make the Boat Well-Drained
If you don’t allow water to drain out of your boat, this can cause big problems in winter. If water inside your boat gets in the ballasts or if your engine freezes, you are in for trouble when the weather gets warmer. Always make sure all fuel lines and other susceptible areas are drained and completely dry before you store your boat for the winter.
A Storage Facility
Boats are a large investment so you have to be sure you protect them. All the steps outlined above are helpful, but they still don’t guarantee that your boat will escape the cold weather completely. You may want to think about indoor boat storage in a facility. This can sometimes only cost about $40 a month and it also saves you the hassle of fully winterizing your boat. It is an easy option, particularly if you live somewhere with brutal winter weather.
How about using Boatsetter Instead?
With all of this in mind, why not just go with Boatsetter boat rental services? We offer a far wider range of options and can either choose to be your own captain or you can decide to hire one of our many experienced captains instead. So go ahead and reserve a boat and start enjoying your time on the water.
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
