Storing Your Boat for the Winter
As the weather cools down, it’s time to start thinking about putting your beloved boat away for the season. Winterization isn’t fun, per se, but it’s necessary to preserving the integrity of your boat so that it’s ready and waiting for you when spring rolls around.
Not sure what it is you should be doing to get your boat ready for storage? Still searching for a good dry storage option? Kelly's Port, serving Osage Beach, is your Ozarks boat dealership. Read on to learn about your options when it comes to storing your boat for the winter, as well as the precautions you should take in preparing it for a long period of storage.
Where Should You Store It?
It’s good to start this process by determining where it is you wish to store your boat. You could store it on its trailer in your driveway or backyard, which may be the only option possible for some people. Outdoor home storage definitely looks like the most affordable choice at first blush, but the truth is that this leaves your boat and its trailer vulnerable to a number of issues.
Why are we reticent to recommend this option, you ask? Well, thieves can get a good look at what you’ve got and may try to damage or steal your boat or parts of it under cover of night. Rain, wind, snow and sun will all take their toll on the craft, potentially causing corrosion or other types of damage. Pests can easily infiltrate your vessel and make it their home over winter, which leaves you with a tedious mess come spring.
Another option is to store your boat in a slip at a marina, which leaves it in the water and ready for spring, but it’s still vulnerable to all the same issues as it would be in your driveway. If you can find indoor storage, this is your best choice, whether that means stowing the trailered boat in your garage or taking advantage of the dry storage options here at Kelly’s Port. Our facilities are designed to keep your craft safe and protected from all of the problems we’ve listed above, thanks to our security and monitoring.
What To Do Before Storage?
Now you’ll need to prepare your boat for the long winter. Start by washing it thoroughly. You should be in the habit of rinsing your craft after every voyage or two, so hopefully it’s not too dirty, but if it is, you want all the grime out. You may wish to apply a wax or polish as well. Engine maintenance is also necessary, and you can contact the service department here at Kelly’s Port to help with oil changes and the like.
Search the interior of your boat for any issues like corroded cables, damaged fuses or leaking fluids. Then remove all trash and other items from the craft like watersports equipment, fishing gear, life jackets and emergency supplies. Store these items indoors.
Should You Cover It?
Yes! Even if you’re storing your boat indoors, it’s wise to keep it secure under a snug-fitting and waterproofed cover. The cover is especially important if you’re storing your craft outdoors, since it will shield your vessel from rain, wind and sun as well as keeping it away from the prying eyes of thieves and out of reach of pests. But even indoors, pests could find a way onto your craft if it’s not covered tightly, and you’ll want to keep out dust and debris as much as you can.
We hope this guide helps you to determine a safe means of storing your craft for the winter. Come see us at our dealership in Osage Beach today to see our full selection of new and used boats for sale in many types. We also offer dry storage at monthly rates as well as pre-paid yearly rates, so you don’t have to go far to find a safe place for your vessel to reside over the winter! We even provide gas dock services to get you all filled up come spring. Kelly’s Port proudly serves the Lake of the Ozarks as well as our customers up north in the greater St. Louis metro area.