Whether you own a sailboat, motorboat, houseboat, or any other type of sea-faring vessel, it needs to come out of the water periodically. Boat storage allows the watercraft to dry out, as it will eventually become waterlogged if it is left in a river, lake, or bay for years. Use these boat storage tips to keep the vessel in your family for decades.

Top 5 Boat Storage Tips

1. Clean It Well

Give your boat a thorough cleaning so it does not attract insects and rodents in the off-season. Remove all perishable items as well as any crumbs. Use a non-toxic, all-purpose disinfectant, such as white vinegar and water solution, to sanitize the entire vessel, and place items like boat cushions in separate storage.

2. Protect Exposed Metal Parts

Prevent rust from affecting exposed metal components with weatherproofing materials such as boat wax. You will also need to cover the watercraft with a tarp or another viable material once it is ready for winter storage.

3. Repair & Winterize

Repair and winterize boat parts as necessary. Apply fogging oil to the engine so the moving parts stay lubricated, check and winterize the toilet (if applicable), and inspect the wiring so you will not deal with expensive repairs in the spring.

4. Use Dehumidifying Products

Install dehumidifying products that do not require power as well as open boxes of baking soda to maintain a dry boat during winter. Keep at least one small, screened window open so air circulates through the vessel. Boats are subject to mold and mildew because they are typically dark and damp.

5. Drain the Vessel & Place It on a Dry Dock

Drain the bilge area, or where water collects in the boat’s hull, as well as all water coolers, manifolds, and engine blocks so the vessel is as dry as possible before being placed in storage. Use dry dock racks to keep your boat suspended and help it dry fully. Boats take anywhere from three to six months to dry.

Keep your boat safe throughout the off-season at Tom Thumb Mini Storage, a family-owned and -operated self-storage facility in San Marcos, TX. Boat and RV storage are among the many options available at this premier facility, which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (512) 396-3434 to discuss your storage requirements with a friendly team member, or visit their website for additional information.