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Preparing Your Boat for Long-Term Storage

Sep. 20 2023 Seasonal By American Marine & Motorsports

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While some folks might use their boats all year long, many of us Midwestern boaters recognize that winter is going to be far too cold to enjoy our boats, so we put them into storage. However, when you’re storing your boat over several weeks or months, there are a number of things you need to do to prepare your vessel so that it doesn’t suffer damage in storage. Here are our tips.

1. Clean Out the Interior

Walk through the interior of your boat, removing all personal items and valuables. You can use this time to check over emergency gear to make sure it doesn’t need replacing or replenishing, too. Remove all traces of food and clean up any sticky spills so that pests don’t invade. 

2. Wash the Outside

Next, wash the exterior of your boat so you can get off all that grime that could cause damage if left unaddressed. You can get a brush with a telescoping handle to scrub up high. A pressure washer can make the process much faster if you’re short on time and you have one handy.

3. Attend to the Engine

Here are some key steps to take:

  • Disconnect the battery to prevent discharge and corrosion.
  • Fog the engine.
  • Drain the water line.
  • Add a fuel stabilizer with antifreeze to the fuel, then run the engine for a few minutes to allow the fuel to circulate through the system. 

4. Locate Secure Boat Storage

Outdoor boat storage isn’t ideal because of the risk of rust and corrosion that can result from months of heavy snow, sleet, and rain on your boat. At the very least, you’re going to need a waterproof cover for your boat if it has to stay outdoors, and you should try to park it in your backyard or behind a tall fence to prevent people from peeking inside.

Indoor storage is your best option for protecting your boat from the elements, as well as from theft, pest infestation, and vandalism. If you have a large garage to store it in, then you’re golden, but you may have to look off-site if your property is small.

Stop by our Wisconsin dealership in Shawano today to view our wide stock of new and used boats for sale. American Marine & Motorsports is proud to serve our customers in the cities of Green Bay and Appleton, WI.