As the summer winds down, Canadians across the country are preparing to store their seasonal equipment for the long winter. For most, that means placing lawn chairs and barbeques into garages and moving winter sports gear and holiday decorations into the home. However, some types of seasonal equipment require bigger spaces and more diligent care than simple chairs, like boats. The use of boats and sailing equipment is one of the pure joys of the summer, and ensuring they are stored properly ensures years of continued and unproblematic use. To help you store your boat and sailing equipment safely and cost-effectively, Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde has put together the following list of boat storage tips. Enjoy exploring our range of boat storage solutions today!
Boat Storage Tips: Choosing the Right Storage Option
The first of our boat storage tips is deciding where you will place your boat and/or sailing equipment.
Storage Facility vs DIY
Should you live on a large property with sufficiently-sized storage space, you can think about storing your boat on your premises.
However, if you don’t, you’ll be looking into renting a storage space from a company like Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde. As you weigh your options, the size of your dwelling, its storage areas, and the availability and topography of the surrounding property will be a deciding factor, as well as cost, and personal preference.
Indoor (Covered) vs Outdoor (Uncovered) Storage
Once you have decided where to store your boat and/or sailing equipment, the next decision is how to store them. Generally, this decision will come down to two options: indoor (covered) and outdoor (uncovered) storage.
Indoor (Covered) Storage
With indoor or covered storage, your boat and/or sailing equipment is stored in a building like a storage unit, garage, hanger, or covered lot. The advantage of this is obvious, in that it protects your vehicle and equipment from the elements and any would-be thieves.
Cost is a serious consideration when indoor or covered storage is involved, as the size of your boat will require a proportionate amount of space; the bigger the boat, the more expensive the storage space. Duration of the storage will dictate the cost as well: if you only use your boat sparingly, you’ll be paying more for storage than if you are constantly on the water. You’ll also want to make sure your boat fits well by measuring the height, length, and width of the storage space. Remember- it’s not just the boat you’ll need to store, but the moorings as well!
Finally, take stock of your boating habits and preferences. Storage facilities and their lots tend to get busy at peak times during the spring and fall, so it’s essential to know your storage facility’s policies regarding boat removal and placement and plan accordingly!
Outdoor (Uncovered) Storage
Outdoor (uncovered) storage is a bit of a misnomer, in that your boat isn’t actually uncovered, rather, it is stored outdoors under a series of weatherproof tarps and coverings. Typically, this means your boat will be placed in a driveway, open-air storage lot, or marina.
Although a less expensive option than covered storage, uncovered storage exposes your boat to the elements directly. For most Canadians, that means at least 4-6 months of cold weather, rain, and snow that can damage, rust, and corrode your boat’s exterior. Also, extreme temperatures and humidity, as well as possible infestation by pests and wildlife, can seriously damage your boat’s interior mechanisms and parts.
These potential issues can be sidestepped by properly securing and preparing your boat for winter storage and engaging in periodic maintenance throughout the season. However, this can be problematic if your area of the country experiences extreme winter conditions like frigid temperatures and heavy snows, making access to your boat difficult if not altogether impossible. Additionally, you’ll need to check your storage facility’s winter outdoor access policies to ensure you’ll be able to get to your boat during the season. You’ll need to weigh both these factors when deciding on outdoor storage for your boat.
Boat Storage Tips: Preparing your Boat for Storage
To keep your boat and sailing equipment seaworthy and in tip-top shape, you need to prepare both the interior and exterior for winter storage.
Here is checklist for boat storage tips that is comprehensive and easy to follow:
Interior Preparations
- remove any loose fabrics and electronics; this limits the development of mold that can damage the boat’s interior and sensitive mechanics and equipment
- empty any standing water and the water tank to limit humidity levels
- leave silica gel packets (or other moisture-absorbent materials) in the boat to absorb moisture and limit humidity
Interior Mechanics
- spray your engine and its interior with an anti-rust agent
- grease and lubricate your steering mechanism, along with any other bearings or joints
- perform an oil change to ensure no rust-developing agents have the time to develop
- keep your fuel tank full, but add a marine fuel stabilizer to avoid damage to the tank
- add a new dose of antifreeze to your boat’s coolant system
- remove any and all batteries from your boat, as they will drain and perhaps be damaged in extreme weather
Exterior Preparations
- clean, wax, and rust-proof your boat
- seal any cracks, holes, or prefabricated openings in your boat to avoid the development of rust or the sheltering of pests and wildlife
- cover the boat with a tight-fitting, weather-proof tarp or canopy
Boat Storage Tips: Long-Term Storage
If you decide that you need to store your boat and/or sailing equipment for a some time longer than one winter, you need to do so in a manner and method that allows you to perform regular maintenance. This will be the only way you can ensure your boat is rust, corrosion, and damage-free, as well as fully functional and smoothly running. Following a regular maintenance schedule also allows you to run systems checks and guarantee that your boat has not become overrun by pests and vermin.
Proper boat maintenance extends beyond the summer months and into the winter when the vehicle must be stored. Keeping your boat in good condition for years to come requires choosing the right storage option as well as preparing the boat expertly for the winter months. For more expert advice on boat maintenance and storage or to inquire about our services, contact Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde today!