Boat & Trailer Storage Guidelines

Americans have a long history of boat ownership, whether for fishing, sailing, waterskiing or cruising. Many boaters trailer their boats to various locations. Others keep their boats at a slip and trailer them home at the end of the boating season. Regardless of their owners' boating habits, boats and trailers are expensive assets, and boat owners should store them properly to protect them from the elements. Here are some common-sense guidelines for storing your vessel and trailer.

Summertime Trailer Storage

Don't leave your trailer to bake in the sun.

If you keep your boat at a slip, your trailer will sit unused until end-of-season haul-out. Don't park it in the weeds behind the marina; instead, store it inside your garage or at a storage facility. If not, exposure to the sun's rays will begin fading the paint and damaging the tires. Your trailer could also become accidentally damaged if marina staff members need to move it. Summertime trailer storage is generally inexpensive, because most storage facilities are nearly empty during the boating season.

Summertime Boat and Trailer Storage

If you trailer your boat, you'll be storing it between uses. Store it in your garage or purchase a heavy tarp to cover it. This will protect it from dripping tree sap, bird droppings and sun damage. Keep your trailer tires properly inflated and the wheel bearings well greased. In a high-traffic neighborhood, you may wish to lock your trailer. Use a heavy-duty combination lock with a hardened shackle, one that cannot be easily removed, even with a set of bolt cutters.

Preparing Your Boat for Winter Storage

As winter approaches, your boat needs special care. Remove all perishables. Wash the hull to remove any marine growth that might have accumulated. Winterize the engine, add fuel stabilizer to the onboard fuel tank, or remove your portable fuel tank. Remove any portable electronics such as your GPS, handheld marine radio or stereo system. Store them in your home. Remove your battery or batteries and store them indoors as well. Remove your porta-potty or have your holding tank pumped out.

Preparing Your Trailer for Winter Storage

Lube your trailer jack and tongue latch.

If you'll be storing your boat at a storage facility, you'll be leaving it there for perhaps several months. Check your trailer's tire pressure and wheel bearing lubrication. Lubricate the swinging jackwheel on your trailer tongue and the trailer tongue latch. When you arrive at the storage facility, chock the trailer wheels and use heavy timbers or a concrete block to support the trailer tongue. Don't depend solely on the jackwheel.

Winter Boat Storage

Once your boat is stored, remove any pennant holders or radio antennas and store them in the boat. Make one last check to ensure you have removed all of your electronics. Cover the vessel with a snap-down cover or tarp. Be sure to open the drain plug. If there is any residual water inside, you want it to drain out, not freeze. Prearrange a pickup time for the following spring.

Final Considerations

Steer clear of storing your boat where pigeons live.

Reserve your storage space well in advance, because it may be limited in many areas. Make certain your boat insurance policy covers accidental damage to the craft while it's being stored. If time and distance permit, stop at the storage facility at least once during the off-season to check on your vessel. Do not store your boat in any facility hosting pigeons. Pigeon droppings are corrosive enough to eat through metal, and will stain and ruin a boat cover.

Resources

• Sailing Breezes: Winter Storage Primer