Boats provide opportunities to get on the water to fish, swim, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Following regular maintenance schedules help ensure your vessel stays in top shape, including using vehicle storage facilities in the off-season. Here are four tips to help you prepare your boat for storage so it’s ready when the weather warms up again.

Readying a Watercraft for Storage

1. Clean the Interior and Exterior

When algae, seaweed, and mold are left on a watercraft when it’s placed in storage, they can eat away at the paint and rot the wood. Prevent this from happening by thoroughly cleaning the interior and exterior of the vessel, including the bilge, motor, deck, and hull.

2. Prepare the Engine

As a motor sits dormant over winter, protective fluids like oil can break down, and the engine can corrode due to condensation. To prevent this, use fogging oil to protect the engine. This spray fuel creates a lubricating film on the inside of the engine and lines so it won’t gather condensation while in vehicle storage.

3. Remove the Battery

Boat batteries don’t fare well in winter cold because they can lose voltage, shortening their lifespan. To prevent this issue, remove the battery and clean the terminals before storing it in a heated locale like an attached garage or basement. This way, you’ll be able to use the battery again in the spring by simply hooking it up. 

4. Add a Cover

Whether you store a boat indoors or outdoors, it’s a good idea to use a cover. This tool will protect the vessel from dust buildup while preventing water from entering the boat. It will also limit fading from the sun and can mitigate the risk of pests when tightly tied or buttoned down. Many owners have their boats shrink wrapped to fully reap the benefits of sealing their watercraft before placing it in vehicle storage.

Boat owners in need of off-season vehicle storage should contact CJ’s Storage in Columbia Falls, MT.. The company has offered self-storage to Flathead County residents and business owners for over 15 years and provides on-site security to ensure your belongings are safe. Call (406) 892-1272 or visit their website for more information about how their logistics specialists can help maximize your storage space.