With the weather starting to turn for the upcoming winter months, proper boat storage is an integral part of boat ownership. What are your plans for storing your boat for winter? It is one of the most valuable items you own, so you should do more than just park it on the trailer in an outdoor space during the harsh cold weather. No matter what size boat you own, proper storage will go a long way toward helping your vessel maintain its value while in protected indoor storage. In a dedicated boat storage facility, your boat is guaranteed to be protected from the elements 24/7. There is typically around-the-clock security monitoring as well.
Why Should You Store Your Boat During The Winter?
There are significant advantages of storing your boat indoors during the winter months. A boat stored on land has the chance to dry out, increasing the lifespan of the materials that make up your boat, like fiberglass and metal. Salt and brackish water accelerates the corrosion of certain materials, so leaving a boat in water year-round could lead to hull damage, degradation of your engine, and other costly repairs. Boats in the water year-round will also see more instances of hull surface damage and structural issues from blisters, algae, and marine life. Keeping a boat in the water year-round may lead to issues that compromise the boat’s lifespan.
Macho Self Storage offers indoor facilities that are safe and secure to protect your boat during the winter months. Using our self-storage units is a great solution for boaters wanting convenient and affordable storage during the offseason. And, we have multiple size storage spaces to accommodate your boat.
Our boat storage facility boasts nearly 30,000 square feet of indoor parking space and also offers a garbage dump station and a ton of electrical outlets should you require electricity. Security is always a top priority at Macho Self Storage. Our Denton boat storage facility is surrounded by fencing and has a gated entry. You can rest easy knowing your boat is stored safely and securely at our facility.
Once you have placed your boat in our secure storage facility, we understand convenience is a valued asset for you. Macho Self Storage makes paying your storage bill easy! Using our online payment system, you’re able to make payments, setup auto pay, check your balance and more!
Winter Storage Tips!
In addition to making the right choice of securing indoor storage for your boat, here are additional tips to prepare your boat for winter storage:
Prepare the Interior
Be sure to treat exposed surfaces like vinyl, fiberglass, or metal with some sort of protective solution. If your boat has cabinets and draws, it is recommended to keep those open to allow for air circulation and prevent build up of musty odors and mildew. Also, if your boat features a fridge, be sure to empty the contents and leave the door open a bit before putting the boat in storage.
Prepare the Exterior
Make sure the hull is clean by using soap and water to remove dirt and other residue before putting the boat in storage. Small buildup like that can affect the finish on the boat over time and also lead to corrosion. A layer of wax added to the hull can also provide additional protection.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance of a boat is important even when in storage during the winter months. Performing these steps, whether your boat is in short-term or long-term storage, will help keep your boat in good condition:
It’s no secret that routine maintenance is key to keeping your boat on the water for years to come. That goes for boat storage as well. It’s recommended you take these simple maintenance:
Cover Your Boat. Most boating experts recommend investing in a cover for your boat, even when storing your boat indoors. A breathable, fitted cover will keep your boat protected from collecting dust over time.
Fill Up the Tank. Air left in the fuel tank expands and contracts during the winter, and vents draw in moisture. Leave a tiny bit of space for that expansion and contraction, but not enough so moisture accumulates and condenses inside the tank. Fuel containing ethanol can actually absorb moisture and break down over the winter. Top off the tank and add a stabilizer (see the next tip) before storing your boat.
Add a Fuel Stabilizer. Fuel stabilizers prevent oxidation of gasoline stored for extended periods. Gasoline is a volatile compound of different chemicals, and over time, it breaks down with exposure to air and moisture. Today’s ethanol-based fuels are particularly vulnerable. Check the instructions on the fuel stabilizer package and add the proper amount based on the size of your fuel tank.
Change the Oil. Motor oil lubricates the engine parts and crankcase and collects byproducts of combustion. Before you put your boat away for winter, change the oil and filter to prevent rust and corrosion.
Protect the Engine Block. Boat motors, like car engines, have a “block,” the metal housing containing the internal components. Before winter, the block must be drained of water (boat motors are water-cooled). If not, freezing and expansion can crack the block and ruin the motor. In addition to draining, it’s smart to protect the boat motor with antifreeze. Never use regular automotive antifreeze (aka ethylene glycol) to winterize a boat motor, since it’s toxic to marine life. Instead, look for marine antifreeze made from propylene glycol, specifically intended for marine and RV applications.
Remove and Charge Battery. A dead battery at the beginning of boating season is a real drag. Instead of being out on the water, you’re pulling the battery out and charging it. Or worse, driving to the marina to buy another one. Before storing your boat for the winter, take out the battery and store it away. Give it a full charge before storage, and charge it again once a month. Or put the battery on a trickle charger for the winter.
Change the Gear Lube. The lower unit in your outboard motor has a lubricant that should be drained and refilled before storing your boat for winter. Have a drain pan handy before you start. Check the O-rings on the drain plug and the vent to make sure you don’t need to replace them before storage.
You can rest easy this winter storing your boat at Macho Self Storage. Your peace of mind when you store your boat is of the utmost importance to us. Our properties are monitored 24 hours a day by closed circuit video cameras to keep a record of activity on the properties.
Request a FREE online quote to get started in storing your boat for the winter. We are happy to provide a safe and security storage solution for you.
