Outdoor Boat Storage – Surviving the Winter Months

As the cold off-season months approach, boat owners must decide how they are going to store their craft. In addition to deciding where to store your boat, you also have to know how to properly winterize your boat.

Living in a climate with frigid winters dictates that you take your boat out of the water for a number of months each year. Your first decision will likely be whether to find some space to store your boat indoors, or whether to brave the elements and stow it outside.

Clearly if you use an outboard motor with your boat, you can store the motor indoors and the boat itself outdoors. This might be a fairly simple solution. However, if you are thinking about outdoor boat storage and your craft has an inboard engine, there are additional factors to consider with your decision.

It is perfectly safe to store your boat out of doors during the cold months, even if you experience low temperatures and significant snowfall. However, if temperatures tend to fall in the minus zero range for long periods, it may be difficult to avoid damage.

Freezing can damage engines and other parts, resulting in costly repairs that must be taken care of in the spring. Thus, most of us can use outdoor boat storage, but owners living in extreme climates probably want to consider another solution.

Always check the manufacturer's recommendations when winterizing for outdoor boat storage. If you have any questions, consult with your dealer. Make sure that any products you use in the winterizing process are manufacturer approved, as the use of other products may void your warranty.

Engines may need to be drained or winterized with special oils and coolants. Any sensitive or expensive equipment that can be easily removed from the boat should be stored indoors in a secure location. You will need to cover the boat completely with a durable tarp. Do not buy cheap plasticized tarps for this purpose. Go with heavy-duty canvas, and make sure it is large enough to completely cover the boat with overage on all sides.

When warmer weather arrives, promptly uncover your boat and fully inspect it for any damage. Pay particular attention to any signs of rot or animal intrusion, and cracks due to the cold. Have any damage repaired as soon as possible, and certainly before putting the boat into the water.

If you follow manufacturer's instructions for outdoor boat storage, cover your craft with a high-quality tarp, and regularly check on the boat during the winter, you will have no problems and be on the water at the first sign of spring.

Fiberglass Boat Repair: Learn the Basics

Fiberglass boats are vulnerable to certain sorts of damage. Fiberglass hulls can dent, crack and splinter in a collision with rocky shores, underwater obstacles, even a wooden dock. With age, fiberglass halls will form small cracks that can let moisture into the boat, even without a collision. Another common complaint is the blisters that can appear in the fiberglass; although these do not affect the seaworthiness of a boat, they are unsightly, and many owners find them distressing.

Most fiberglass boat repair involves using an epoxy or polyester resin to repair and seal cracks, and reconstructing larger areas of damage with fiberglass cloth or foam. The repaired area is then repainted and/or covered with several coats of polyurethane. The basic process consists of the following steps.

The damaged area must be sanded, beginning with coarser sandpaper, and finishing with a fine grain. Always wear a respirator when working with any form of fiberglass; the fine strands of glass can cause serious and permanent lung damage if inhaled.

Next, the damage is overlaid with fiberglass cloth or foam, if more than small cracks are involved. Cloth is good for larger cracks or holes. Foam will be needed to rebuild an area if the hull must be shaped or is severely dented.

The epoxy or resin used in fiberglass boat repair functions as an adhesive and sealant. Both are messy, but in addition, resin has strong fumes, is more difficult to work with, and does not adhere as well to non-fiberglass surfaces. It is, however, much less expensive.

After the epoxy has set, the repair must be sanded smooth and painted with a marine paint. Polyurethane may also be used on the hull when making a fiberglass boat repair. Several coats of either will be needed; follow the specific product instructions for drying time and treatment between coats.

Boat Storage Buildings – What Are Your Options?

You have a boat and you need to store it for the winter. There are all sorts of buildings that you can use for that purpose, whether you prefer to store your boat near or away from the water. This article will briefly outline the types of boat storage buildings that are often used, how you can get one yourself, and some points to be aware of.

The old standby for storing your boat is the wooden boathouse at the lake. This tends to be a simple structure with an opening on the lakeside to let the boat in, and the other 3 walls windowless to avoid prying eyes from seeing what is inside.

The rafters within the boathouse are usually exposed to allow you to hoist a wooden boat from the water and hang it when not in use. This is fine, but be aware that wood and water (or ice) are not good friends. Both the boathouse and boat are at risk from being so close to the water. But if you have a fairly small, inexpensive boat, this may be your best choice.

Less traditional, but broadly available, are the easy bolt-together metal boat storage buildings that are sold by many portable automobile garage manufacturers. Some of these are fairly typical design with a peaked roof, and some are a single large arch. If you are not attached to the traditional look, the single-arch ones have the advantage of strength and simplicity. Not being on the water, these are less convenient and take up a chunk of space, but they can be used for many other purposes as well, when your boat is not being stored. These can be a pretty good buy.

For a small boat, almost any sort of building that will fit it will do fine, and many people use garages or purchase pre-fabricated sheds. For those with larger boats, a common solution is to store the boat in rented indoor space at a marina or a warehouse along with other boats. This can be great because the buildings are usually dedicated to boat storage, although it adds a rental expense to your budget. Others rent space at a small self-storage facility, which can work out very well too.

In short, the best storage building for your boat is the one that keeps you, your boat and your property safe and worry-free. That leaves you free to dream up your boating adventures for the fair weather months coming up sooner than you think. Happy boating!

Aluminum Boat Repair: Tips to Do it Right

Aluminum boats can suffer a variety of different sorts of damage. Most have to do with leaks and corrosion. Improperly mounted riveting often results in leaks, as will any seam that is improperly sealed or that has a damaged seal. The corrosive properties of water, especially salt water, can make the metal fragile, and will eventually eat right through the hull.

The first step in aluminum boat repair is assessing the full extent of the damage. Even if you're aware of an area of impairment, it is still a good idea to do a complete inspection of the boat, both interior and exterior, to discover any additional damage. Of course you will check for any water seeping in when you are on the water, but also pull your boat out of the water and inspect the outer shell as well.

Understand too, that some leaks can be so small they are difficult to see, or are hidden under a seam. Take note of this as you inspect, as well. You should not undertake any work, or let anyone else start making repairs, until you are satisfied the damage has been completely identified.

Next, make sure that all surfaces are properly prepared. They need to be dry and completely free of any residue from cleaners, solvents, oil, silicone grease, etc. Weak spots should be fully sanded and any friable metal removed, or the repair will be weak in the damaged area and likely give way again in the near future.

Ensure that the work that is done is of high quality. If you are going to do the work on your own, be honest with yourself about the extent of your skills and knowledge. Fully understand the problem, the solution, and the tools required before starting.

If you are hiring a professional, ask them about their experience with this particular type of repair. You may also want to request some references in order to talk to previous customers, especially those with similar boats or damage.

Finally, make sure that the work is finished properly and completely. Fully inspect all repairs before putting the boat back together, obscuring the repaired area with carpets or other items, or putting it in the water. Do this especially if the repairs are below the water line. Observe the repaired areas frequently and carefully on the first use of the boat.

Done properly, aluminum boat repairs can add years to the life of your vessel. Improperly completed repairs can result in further damage, and even a serious incident while on the water. Make sure the work is done right the first time.