Boat Storage Tips

You probably spent way more than you wanted on your boat. There is no denying the costs that go into owning and operating a boat each year. So when you go to store your boat during our Canadian winters, you want to make sure you do it right. Follow these boat storage tips before you store.

Boat Storage Tips

Prepare

Get started with the interior of the boat:

Remove all the fabrics from the inside, cushions, pillows, anything mesh. This will help prevent mould.
Use a moisture absorber in the interior to suck up any excess moisture. Kitty Litter works really well here.
Remove any electronics that are not “part” of the boat.

Engine:

Coat the engine with a rust preventer.
Use a fuel stabilizer inside the tank to prevent corrosion. Preferably, have the tank full to also help with corrosion prevention.
Take out the battery and place it on a trickle charger.

Outside:

Give it a good clean and a wash, and get rid of any scum from the lake/ocean.
Apply a fresh coat of wax.
Get a boat cover, much like a car cover, this will help keep the outside elements out.

Store It

Find a self storage facility that offers storage for boats. Otherwise, many marinas offer out-of-water boat storage for the winter season. Keep in mind, that this will unlikely be covered, and your boat might be exposed to the elements. If you have the room, use your garage, it offers peace of mind and you can control more of the storage factors. Wherever you choose to store your boat, make sure that you purchase storage insurance. If something happens outside your control, you will be happy you are covered. Keep in mind, that home insurance may NOT cover your boat, so double-check with your agent.

sweda

Mike Olsen

18:58 16 Oct 19

This is inexpensive storage that operates 100% as advertised - they do not offer 24/7 access and do not charge 24/7 access pricing. They are incredibly responsive to requests to unlock doors and provide access. It is not fancy but if you need a clean, dry place to store your stuff, you can't beat these guys. Don't expect bells and/or whistles but you also won't be paying for them.

Dave Shirlaw

01:54 10 Jun 19

Have to phone to have buildings unlocked. Annoying.

megan chow

23:06 21 May 19

sara ~

01:04 25 Sep 18

Prices are 1/2 the price of other storage units but it shuts down (locked gates) from 10 am - 6 pm except if you have the enormous ground level outside facing units. Those hours are impossible. The technology getting items up to the second story is an actual forklift thats made stationary. You balance your items up the forklift (and you raise the wooden pallet up yourself) Then you must walk up stairs and hope their is a dolly available to wind precariously around tiny turning hallways. Budget carpentry and ancient carpet in the units. The trolleys sound and feel like their from 1980's and are either coached to disobey or they keep their own counsel. They say its secure but I had a neighbor pick something up and they weren't even asked for permission. I explicitly stated only I was to have access. They said they do not let it happen. The locks are your own, but the flip closure is attached by 3/4 wood screws easily and possibly quite quietly could be opened and emptied with no one batting an eye. A kid could detach it with anything. They have "24 hour security" which means a guy lives on site. Does he/she have CCTV access? Probably not, nor would you want that job. Are there motion sensors? Not likely as sometimes the lights won't turn on and finding a switch in the straggly wandering corridors is impossible. They do not offer insurance. You have to sign forms saying all the things you will and won't do, but they are not liable if anything happens: theft, fire, water, vandals, pests etcSo despite all those complaints, its still 4/5 only because of the prices.