A winter cover is supposed to protect the boat. All rights reserved. Copyright © Herculite 2021. Also, remember that outdoor boat storage requires shrink-wrapping the boat, parking it under a boat storage canopy, or otherwise securely covering it during the winter to prevent water intrusion and weathering. The right cover should fit snugly, and be made for the exact year, model, and manufacturer of your boat. The most common of these is the Dri-Z-Air Dehumidifier. And of course, just how much space your boat takes up has a huge impact on storage costs. Remember, however, that few marinas will launch and retrieve your boat for you, so you still need to own a tow vehicle capable of pulling the rig to the boat ramp and then back to its resting spot. The rain rots it. 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). Keeping your boat dry for winter & off season storage September 29, 2009. Following a spring commissioning checklist is the best way to get your boat ready for the upcoming spring and summer boating season. One option is to cover the deck boards with a … But it spends all of the open water season on a lift with a custom cover on it. For engine and mechanical spaces there are engine room heaters as well. I also saw a 60 x 40 tarp on sale for less than a hundred. This will ensure a snug fit that will keep moisture and dust out of the boat’s interior. 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. Some winters I have noticed water coming in through the chainplates, so I fixed that by recaulking under the chainplate covers annually. Otherwise, storing a boat indoors is ideal. Finally, some facilities don’t allow boat owners to work on their boats on the site and you may have to pay a pro to do maintenance like oil changes. Flip the Styrofoam over every other day so that both sides are exposed. If power is convenient for winter storage, use a dehumidifier - or even a low-watt incandescent light bulb - to prevent condensation that occurs in a covered boat with temperature changes. 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. If you want to use your boat before or after business hours you may need to plan ahead a bit and call ahead of time, so they can fork-lift your boat off the racks and into the water. Also, be sure to use a cover that’s made of high-quality fabric which is waterproof, UV resistant, and mold and mildew resistant. Boat Covers, 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. To do the job, it should keep water, snow and ice out, yet not encourage excess condensation, which will lead to mildew. Boat covers should be water tight, but loose enough to allow air to circulate. hang a white pipe or hose over the gunnel on the shadiest side or end . Slip holders who have a lift may also opt to store the boat in place on the lift through the winter. When storing your boat in the water in a wet slip, the costs will vary by geography and boat size. When he returned, he found a greenhouse of black mold and mushrooms growing inside his boat, making it a complete loss. When you have it in storage, keep it dry. 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. 3 Ways to Keep Dry Under Your Deck If you want to buy a manufactured system rather than build your own as we show here, you have a lot of choices. If you don’t have room for your boat at home but want to keep it outside, consider an outdoor boat … One potential down-side is security, so the facility should be fenced, locked, and have some form of security system or video surveillance. However, keep one other factor in mind. When boat covers that aren't fully waterproof become saturated, and don't dry out thoroughly, mold and mildew can start to accumulate. https://www.liveabout.com/keep-your-boat-dry-and-prevent-mildew-2915362 Indoor boat storage is a more expensive option, however, it also offers the most protection for your boat. With DRYBOAT®, we’ll have you back on the water at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional repair methods. HangTyte™ uses a rope ratchet system for fast removal, while keeping the cover supported to eliminate pooling and mildew. 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 Outdoor Storage at a Facility. To get a general idea of the potential costs, you can figure on spending somewhere between $50 and $200 per foot of boat indoors and $20 to $50 per foot of boat for outdoor storage, per season. 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 … Try this method for a week. The best way to prevent this is to thoroughly dry out your boat before installing the shrink wrap. These bows "tent" the boat cover up in order to let the rain run off without pooling. Reality: Boat covers don’t create condensation; they only trap the surrounding environment. Start by brushing up on the basics of launching, driving, docking, anchoring, and retrieving your boat. You may also consider using small fans to circulate the cabin air. Don’t use sprays for outdoor gear as they cannot fully seal your boat cover. Hangtyte Boat Cover Suspension System - … It seemed like a good idea at the time: tarp your own boat, save money. Whether you are using a tarp or shrink wrap, use a cover made to fit the boat. The lesson? 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. DRY YOUR BOAT. If you have a good boat now, you won’t have a good boat after 2 summers in a slip. The idea of good boat ramp etiquette involves boaters practicing "good manners" at the launch ramp. A travel cover is far tougher and laced with reinforced straps and hardy snaps for highway speeds. hang a 3" black pipe or hose over the gunnel under the cover. When it comes to indoor boat storage, expense and availability are the biggest down-sides. It doesn’t make sense to risk saving a couple hundred bucks at the expense of ruining a boat worth tens of thousands or more. If a boat gets put away dry, it will stay dry unless it gets disturbed or the surrounding environment changes. Cover Vents (on top of support polls) and the suggested fan also help as well. Buying a cheap boat cover or using a universal cover may seem like a good idea, but it’s a costly mistake. Even if the … So far I have been successful at keeping it mold free. When you are absent from your boat, low-level heating devices, such as the West Marine Air Dryer and the Goldenrod Dehumidifier are a great way to chase the damp away. It's also a good idea to leave all the hatches open between trips, provided you have a secure place such as a garage, where you keep your boat. Boat storage prices tend to reflect the local economy, so in areas with a low cost of living, the expense will be far less than in a high-rent district. 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. I figured my boat was under 30 feet, so a 60 x 40 should cover it. Exposure to the sun and other weather elements will have the greatest effect on how well your boat looks over time. The best way to prevent this is to thoroughly dry out your boat before installing the shrink wrap. If it gets put away wet, it will still be damp once it’s uncovered. Once this system is pulled tight, HangTyte™ will keep your cover taut and the inside of your boat dry. Some folks keep a bucket of charcoal in the boat. And it should come off when you want it off, not as the result of a winter storm. Most importantly, the cover should last through the entire winter. The exact cost of boat storage depends on two main factors: your location, and the size of your boat. Should you cover your 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. The water covers the hull with green slime. Another way to prevent mold is with chlorine dioxide technology, which has been shown in tests to reduce mold spore counts and odors. At the dock, evaporating moisture with an electric cabin heater is a good way to keep surfaces dry. In the meantime, is there anyway to keep condensation from forming under the boat cover and making the boat wet? Store the boat on a trailer and if possible, put the trailer … Add a Fan. Either way, your choice of storage method is important — it can affect domestic bliss, neighbor relations and, long term, the resale of value of your boat. 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. First I try to keep it dry before I put the cover on. These "unwritten rules" include prepping your boat in a staging area before launch, and getting your boat in and out of the water quickly and efficiently. For this reason commercial storage facilities are often a popular option in metropolitan areas. De-winterizing your boat includes caring for three major onboard systems: engines, plumbing, and batteries and electrical. 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. I fought mildew on my old boat until I installed these. The complete protection from weathering can extend a boat’s lifespan astronomically. The more air circulation, the better. The objective is to keep your interior dryer and less polluted. If it is, you can often pay a relatively low rate to leave the boat and trailer in a parking area at a local marina that has a boat ramp, year-round. 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. Most importantly, the cover should last through the entire winter. Cleaning and preventing the spread of fungus can be a huge hassle, especially when dealing with a very large piece of fabric. It’s that simple. Showtime Theme Park and Event Tent Fabric, download our free eBook, "What You Don't Know About Custom Boat Tops/Covers Can Be Costly". It varies in different parts of the nation and according to your boat’s size. Moisture control is key to mold control. Here are some common myths to be aware of as you do your research. There's a difference between a travel cover and a mooring cover. Remember, however, that there will still be yearly haul-out fees for maintenance. It warms the air and circulates the air under the cover. Almost all marinas and boat yards offer it, as do commercial storage facilities. While this will allow a little cool air into the boat, the circulation of that fresh air is what ultimately helps dry out your boat since warm air can hold more moisture than cool air. To clean, a solution of lukewarm water and mild natural soap such as Ivory™ may be used. I also replaced my vents with solar vents. Assuming that’s not an option, however, that same question we asked earlier is sure to come up: “where is indoor boat storage near me?” But in this case it may be a much more difficult question to answer. Boats are subjected to a series of wet and dry cycles and other environmental elements, ranging from hot and humid days in the summer to potentially freezing temperatures in the winter to salt air, dirt, hailstorms, bird droppings and more year round. 3. I … If you’re not sure which cover to buy, ask the manufacturer and/or a reputable retailer for a recommendation. Thats what we about feel the warm breeze living young and wild and free." A winter cover is supposed to protect the boat. My boat is dry as a bone when in the water but it collects about 5 gallons in the bilge over the winter on the hard. And it should come off when you want it off, not as the result of a winter storm. If vents are not an option, then try to find a boat cover that uses breathable fabric. Some boaters also don’t like having to plan ahead to use their boat. 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. Air is allowed to enter around the motor(s), circulate around the console and vent out just under the T-top. A professional shrink-wrap job is by far the best way to cover a boat for winter storage. Crank you trailer jack up as high as possible so all water drains to the rear of the boat. Adding plenty of vents to the installation will help remaining moisture to escape. Proper Ventilation for Your Boat. As we mentioned earlier there’s a wide variation in cost depending on boat size and geography, however, remember that covered boat storage is more expensive than open storage and indoor dry boat storage costs significantly more than outdoor boat storage. It’s relatively safe and protective for the boat, and inexpensive compared to most alternatives. 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. To keep your boat cover looking its best, regularly brush off any loose dirt with a soft brush and rinse with lukewarm water. This makes finding the right boat cover a must in order to protect your investment. How will I find boat storage near me? If power is convenient for winter storage, use a dehumidifier - or even a low-watt incandescent light bulb - to prevent condensation that occurs in a covered boat with temperature changes. Many have a swimming pool or club house, WiFi, fish-cleaning stations, boat storage boxes mounted on the pier (usually called “dock boxes”) and other amenities that can make your boating adventures even more fun and relaxing. One way to reduce humidity or moisture below deck is to ventilate your boat. Keeping a boat in a slip is beating it like a rented mule IMO. 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. The best way to wrap a boat for winter storage is to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional. Right about now, you’re probably thinking “where is there outdoor boat storage near me?” Or if price is a major factor, maybe you’re thinking “where is there cheap boat storage near me?” We can’t answer those questions specifically, because we don’t know where you live. I own a mooring cover (like many of us) to keep rain and grime off the cockpit and it's on the boat whenever it's sitting still on the trailer. If your boat will be stored inside, a good cover will help protect it from dust, mice, etc. ... onboard or under cover. If you want the whole marina advantage AND want to keep your boat nice, dry stack is the only way to go. Just make sure to get the right one for the job, as cabin heaters and engine compartment heaters (also called bilge heaters) have different uses and features. Also, remember that storing your boat in a marina usually comes with some perks. 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. Dry Outdoor Storage at a Facility. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(98736, '80726494-ce33-4930-9e91-3021ad1f1162', {}); Topics: Also does not hurt to pull the … Probably a month out from finishing. "That's what we about living by the sea, sippin on some rum under the shade of a tree. Conversely, if you store your boat permanently in a wet slip you won’t have to worry about finding and paying for winter storage separately. I put the cover on mine as well. 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? If, for example, your marina loses power and the agitator stops working, the hull could become frozen in place and ice damage can occur. It should be thoroughly dry with just a couple of hours in the sun, or within a day if under cover. The best way to protect your boat from the elements is to cover the entire vessel with a polyvinyl or tarp cover. Set the Boat Level. Just keep in mind that your boat won’t have much protection against pests, thieves, vandals and inclement weather, though you can buy a cover to mitigate these risks. Electric boat heaters can be used in the cabin to warm the living space or in the engine compartment to keep the engine warm and dry. One way to reduce humidity or moisture below deck is to ventilate your boat. Should you cover your boat? This allows water or moisture to evaporate and exit the boat. Do I need additional boat storage compartments for all my gear, or can it remain on the boat? So if you pay for year-round storage you don’t have to worry about paying for a wet slip through the summer months, and your boat stays protected from the elements all year long. The best way to wrap a boat for winter storage is to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional. 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). In most cases if you store your boat in an indoor dry stack facility, it lives there year-round. I use this from about October until April. However, keeping the dorade at least partly open results in a MUCH dryer boat, since we are drawing in dry outside air, heating it—which drops its relative humidity—and forcing moist warm air out through other ventilators. © 2020 National Marine Manufacturers Association. My boat spends it winters indoors with the cover off. Yes, keeping water, snow, and ice out is important, but so is letting the cover breathe to prevent “locking-in” moisture. Unless, of course, you have your own garage the boat fits into—in that case, keeping your boat right there at home is a no-brainer. One other detail that can affect storage costs is whether or not your boat is on a trailer. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. Another way to prevent mold is with chlorine dioxide technology, which has been shown in tests to reduce mold spore counts and odors. Marine Fabrics, Herculite: Manufacturing in America Since 1954, Five Common Misconceptions about Boat Covers. If it will be stored outside, a quality cover will help protect it from inclement weather. The best way to wrap a boat for winter storage is to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional. Just keep in mind that your boat won’t have much protection against pests, thieves, vandals and inclement weather, though you can buy a cover to mitigate these risks. My pontoon is stored on the lift all winter and when I take the cover off - no mold. Myth: Some boat covers create condensation. We do, however, have some good news for you: anywhere you find boats, it’s usually pretty easy to locate inexpensive outdoor boat storage. Unfortunately, unless you keep your boat in a covered “dry stack” facility (sometimes called a “boatel,” where the boats sit on huge racks inside of a covered building), it can be very difficult to find indoor boat storage. Either on the trailer or Dry stack for me but plenty of people keep them on the water in fresh water. As a very rough estimate you can use a figure of $50 per foot of boat for minimal indoor or covered boat storage costs, but in more expensive areas, it can cost as much as $200 per foot for a season—or even more. 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. put it on the side that gets the most sun. Get community news, buying bargains, and how-to guides at your fingertips. Set the boat level to the ground to prevent hull stress or even warping. This video shows how to make boat cover bows out of PVC. The quickest and most convenient method is to use waterproofing solutions for boat covers. The range can go anywhere from a couple hundred dollars for a small, trailerable boat parked in a fenced field over the winter, to thousands of dollars for indoor boat storage, to tens of thousands for very large boats kept in a wet slip. 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). We’ll come and set up our system to repair your wet coring, stringers, decks, transoms or swim deck. 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. Keep the interior of your boat free from moisture and mold with these three easy tips. Boat Handling: 5 Ways to Improve Your Boating Skills. 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. The sun bakes it. To do the job, it should keep water, snow and ice out, yet not encourage excess condensation, which will lead to mildew. If you perfect these boat handling skills now, your more experienced boating peers will give you the wave of approval next time they pass you out on the water. But often enough it is not 100% dry and I have to put the cover … I use a Davis Instruments store dry air circulator - cost $60. Keep my boat covered when it isnt on the lake, but am in the process of building a gargage to put it under also. 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. If a boat gets put away dry, it will stay dry unless it gets disturbed or the surrounding environment changes. Whether you’re buying a boat cover for the first time or replacing an older one, it’s important to understand what to look for among the various options you have to choose from. GET BACK ON THE WATER! 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. If the cover doesn’t fit right, water and debris will get inside your boat and potentially ruin it. T-Top Boat Covers are specifically designed to hang 6” to 8” under the T-top. 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. So most boat owners opt for dry boat storage during the off-season, especially in parts of the nation with harsh winters. In popular boating areas there are also plenty of fenced lots used for boat storage in the off-season, and for boat trailer storage during the summer months. If you don’t have room for your boat at home but want to keep it outside, consider an outdoor boat … If the Styrofoam does dry, it will feel lighter; cover … It sits on the boat floor and is low amperage. Let’s start by differentiating between the three main options for boat storage: Some people store their boats in the water all year long. The sun will heat the black pipe more than the white pipe ,causing it to draw … If it gets put away wet, it … Elevate the Tires of the Boat During Storage. With even a small amount of ventilation the warm, moisture laden air rises and vents out the opening – taking the water with it. During the boating season, mold, mildew and rust can grow and take hold in as little as a couple of days depending on the climate. Adding plenty of vents to the installation will help remaining moisture to escape. All rights reserved. It does. If you’re wondering, “where is covered boat storage near me?” then you have some searching to do, but remember, in parts of the nation where boating is popular there are usually plenty of options. Now that you know the five common misconceptions about boat covers,download our free eBook, "What You Don't Know About Custom Boat Tops/Covers Can Be Costly". If closed, the edges of the covers will take "forever" to dry. Use liquid solutions for sail covers which also add a UV protection coat. When it comes to outdoor boat storage, advantages include low expense and easy availability, especially if the boat is sitting on its own trailer.