All rights reserved. If the Styrofoam does not begin to dry, it will be easiest to replace the old Styrofoam with new and place a new plastic covering over it. With boats shrink-wrapped for the winter, use vents in the shrink film to let air circulate under the cover (leave a boat hatch open for air to get inside). If, for example, your marina loses power and the agitator stops working, the hull could become frozen in place and ice damage can occur. Following a spring commissioning checklist is the best way to get your boat ready for the upcoming spring and summer boating season. Reality: Boat covers don’t create condensation; they only trap the surrounding environment. These qualities will go a long way in protecting your watercraft, and also determine whether your cover will last for a single season or a decade. Store the boat on a trailer and if possible, put the trailer … The sun bakes it. One way to reduce humidity or moisture below deck is to ventilate your boat. Yes, keeping water, snow, and ice out is important, but so is letting the cover breathe to prevent “locking-in” moisture. My boat spends it winters indoors with the cover off. One option is to cover the deck boards with a … And it should come off when you want it off, not as the result of a winter storm. Add a Fan. The complete protection from weathering can extend a boat’s lifespan astronomically. The blue tarp method helps to protect your boat, but if the tarp isn’t supported and secured just right, leaks, rips, and complete collapses are common. The longer you wait to cover your boat, the greater the risks that your boat will be damaged (and the higher the costs will be to repair the damage). When boat covers that aren't fully waterproof become saturated, and don't dry out thoroughly, mold and mildew can start to accumulate. With even a small amount of ventilation the warm, moisture laden air rises and vents out the opening – taking the water with it. It does. For slip holders storing a boat in the water year-round may be more convenient than pulling the boat for dry storage through the winter, but it does carry some risks. I also saw a 60 x 40 tarp on sale for less than a hundred. And of course, just how much space your boat takes up has a huge impact on storage costs. If a boat gets put away dry, it will stay dry unless it gets disturbed or the surrounding environment changes. Step 2 Long term maintenance: Employ the use of a marine type dehumidifier in your boat or RV For long term usage, or for those times that you can't ventilate a boat or RV dehumidifier will help reduce the humidity in you boat … I use this from about October until April. Otherwise, storing a boat indoors is ideal. If the cover doesn’t fit right, water and debris will get inside your boat and potentially ruin it. Ventilation is such an important part of mold prevention that you may want to consider adding one or more small fans inside the hull in order to keep air moving and eliminate moisture completely. A professional shrink-wrap job is by far the best way to cover a boat for winter storage. Some winters I have noticed water coming in through the chainplates, so I fixed that by recaulking under the chainplate covers annually. If your boat will be stored inside, a good cover will help protect it from dust, mice, etc. There’s a tragic tale described in boating magazine about a guy in the Florida Keys who wrapped his boat up tight to protect it from the wet summer season while he went out of town for six months. A winter cover is supposed to protect the boat. The blue tarp method helps to protect your boat, but if the tarp isn’t supported and secured just right, leaks, rips, and complete collapses are common. So far I have been successful at keeping it mold free. The best way to wrap a boat for winter storage is to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional. The idea of good boat ramp etiquette involves boaters practicing "good manners" at the launch ramp. To do the job, it should keep water, snow and ice out, yet not encourage excess condensation, which will lead to mildew. Boat Dry™ is a great solution to help keep your boat, gear, bilge, storage compartments and life vests, etc., safe and dry in between uses. Boat storage both in season and during the winter months is an important consideration for boaters, but the issue raises a lot of questions: how much are boat storage costs? These have small fans that work in sunlight and I find that they really help dry things out and keep air moving under the cover. Whether you’ve bought a new boat and it’s still in storage, or you’re planning to store your boat once the summer is over, don’t assume just because it’s in storage that it doesn’t need to be covered. Indoor boat storage is a more expensive option, however, it also offers the most protection for your boat. This is usually considered an acceptable practice in temperate areas where winters are relatively mild, or if you completely winterize your boat in its slip and then add an agitator (ice eater) to keep the water from freezing around the boat during the cold months of the year. When it comes to outdoor boat storage, advantages include low expense and easy availability, especially if the boat is sitting on its own trailer. Should you cover your boat? A winter cover is supposed to protect the boat. This makes finding the right boat cover a must in order to protect your investment. Moisture control is key to mold control. The more air circulation, the better. If it gets put away wet, it will still be damp once it’s uncovered. HangTyte™ uses a rope ratchet system for fast removal, while keeping the cover supported to eliminate pooling and mildew. Remember, however, that there will still be yearly haul-out fees for maintenance. Let’s start by differentiating between the three main options for boat storage: Some people store their boats in the water all year long. Sneed: The most important tip I could recommend for keeping a boat looking like new is to either cover it or keep it inside when it’s not in use. Keeping a boat in a slip is beating it like a rented mule IMO. Probably a month out from finishing. When it comes to indoor boat storage, expense and availability are the biggest down-sides. Dry storage for boats is generally considered to be any sort of storage where the boat isn’t kept in a wet-slip, in the water. The best way to wrap a boat for winter storage is to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional. Dry Outdoor Storage at a Facility. Cover Vents (on top of support polls) and the suggested fan also help as well. The best way to prevent this is to thoroughly dry out your boat before installing the shrink wrap. I use a Davis Instruments store dry air circulator - cost $60. One other detail that can affect storage costs is whether or not your boat is on a trailer. I … Also, remember that storing your boat in a marina usually comes with some perks. How will I find boat storage near me? The cost of storing a boat year-round is no different during summer and winter months for most dry stack facilities, and if you store your boat on land through all four seasons, again, the above mentioned prices can give you some guidelines. To clean, a solution of lukewarm water and mild natural soap such as Ivory™ may be used. Almost all marinas and boat yards offer it, as do commercial storage facilities. For most people, there comes a time when the boat must be put away for the season, the cabin locked up and all is left to fend for itself through the slumber of the winter. Either on the trailer or Dry stack for me but plenty of people keep them on the water in fresh water. If vents are not an option, then try to find a boat cover that uses breathable fabric. For this reason commercial storage facilities are often a popular option in metropolitan areas. To keep your boat cover looking its best, regularly brush off any loose dirt with a soft brush and rinse with lukewarm water. Flip the Styrofoam over every other day so that both sides are exposed. Proper Ventilation for Your Boat. Another way to prevent mold is with chlorine dioxide technology, which has been shown in tests to reduce mold spore counts and odors. In most cases if you store your boat in an indoor dry stack facility, it lives there year-round. put it on the side that gets the most sun. The objective is to keep your interior dryer and less polluted. Open the port hatches and windows of the cabin to allow hot humid air to flow out and to keep moisture out of boat compartments. One potential down-side is security, so the facility should be fenced, locked, and have some form of security system or video surveillance. It should be thoroughly dry with just a couple of hours in the sun, or within a day if under cover. https://www.liveabout.com/keep-your-boat-dry-and-prevent-mildew-2915362 Start by brushing up on the basics of launching, driving, docking, anchoring, and retrieving your boat. I don’t remember the exact cost of getting your boat shrink wrapped that year, but I clearly remember the word “hundred” being used in the price. Dry outdoor boat storage is certainly a more popular option. It seemed like a good idea at the time: tarp your own boat, save money. Use liquid solutions for sail covers which also add a UV protection coat. If a boat gets put away dry, it will stay dry unless it gets disturbed or the surrounding environment changes. Never fear, dear boater—we’re here to answer all these questions and more, when it comes to boat storage and boat storage facilities. DRY YOUR BOAT. While many people view boat storage as a way to mothball their boat for the winter, savvy boaters see it as a way to keep the boat action-ready for the next outing — whether that outing occurs next weekend or next spring.