Tips For Getting A Boat Ready For Storage

If you need to take your boat out of the water and put it into storage for a long time, it is not as simple as covering the boat and calling it a day. There are several steps that you need to take in order to ensure the boat is in great shape when it finally comes out of storage.

Prepare The Trailer

If you're storing your boat on its trailer, you also need to do a little bit of prep work to it as well. Make sure that the trailer's tires are in good shape and have the proper air pressure in them. Next, verify that the lights are working on the trailer when connected to your vehicle since you need to have working lights when you take it to the storage facility.

Clean The Boat

The best time to clean your boat is right after it comes out of the water. All of the dirt and debris will still be wet, making it easy to remove it before the dirt dries onto the outer surface of the boat. Give the boat a thorough scrubbing, and even wax it as well, which will protect the finish while in storage.

This is also a good opportunity to clean the interior thoroughly. Wood surfaces can be waxed to prevent dust buildup while the boat is in storage.

Prepare The Engine

The engine will need quite a bit of work done on it before it goes into storage. If you do not know what you are doing, it is best to seek professional help for this step. You'll need to drain all the gear lube from the engine, add a fuel stabilizer, fog the engine cylinders, and then add brand new gear lube. These are steps that can be quite complicated, so consult your owners manual if you are attempting to do it on your own.

Prepare The Battery

The boat's battery also needs some care before it goes into long-term storage. Start by charging the battery before you disconnect it, which will ensure it is full while the boat is in storage. Then disconnect the battery, and store it in a place where it won't be affected by extreme weather conditions that can put stress on the battery. With the battery removed, it is a great time to clean the battery terminals as well.

Following these steps will have the boat ready to be placed in storage. For more information, contact a company like Lake County Storage of Round Lake Heights.

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