How to Store a Catamaran

Correctly storing a catamaran extends the life of the boat by many years. Keeping the boat in a controlled environment where it is not vulnerable to corrosion and damage will help you protect your boating investment while making your life easier. Follow these steps to correctly store a catamaran.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Decide on the length of the storage. If you plan to sail your catamaran on a regular basis then you should find a simple storage solution that gives you and the boat easy access to the water. On the other hand, if you find you do not sail the boat often, then you can explore some longer-term storage options. Either way, it's important to correctly evaluate your needs before you store the boat.
2. Strip the boat for storage. Regardless of if you're storing the boat for the long or short term, you need to make sure you get the boat in a state that it can be stored in. For longer storage, strip the boat of all lines, lower the mast and remove the rigging. For shorter storage stays, simply pack up the lines, raise the rudders and remove the tiller to get the boat ship-shape.
3. Cover everything. It's impossible to overestimate the value of covering your catamaran while it's being stored. You should remove the sails and store them in sail tubes. Lines and blocks should be kept in a bag, in a dry place. And, perhaps most importantly, you should get catamaran-specific covers to keep the pontoons and the trampoline out of the elements.
4. Know your storage environment. Especially if you store the boat in a marina, where people and boats pass on a daily basis, you should know the condition that the boat is stored in. Similarly, find out what kind of insurance coverage the boat gets in its storage place, in case of fire or other accidents that might damage the boat.