This is our third in a series of winter storage tips to help you protect your boat during the harsh winter months.
Winter Boat Storage Tip #3: Don’t let pockets of rainwater collect on your boat cover.
Don't let rainwater collect on your boat cover.
Your
boat cover should be properly supported to prevent rainwater from collecting in puddles on top of the cover. These puddles collect dirt and promote the growth of mildew. Eventually these stagnant pools of rainwater can cause the thread and cover material to rot.
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Support your boat cover with a support frame from a marine store or a homemade PVC boat cover frame. Make sure there are no pockets where rainwater can collect. Put a tuck in the cover or reinforce the frame where necessary. You can even use life jackets or seat cushions to keep the cover from sagging in specific areas.
This is our second in a series of winter storage tips to help you protect your boat during the harsh winter months.
Winter Boat Storage Tip #2: Brush the snow off your boat cover every time it snows.
Never let the snow build up on your boat cover.
The weight of snow—especially wet, heavy snow—can damage the
boat cover and compromise the quality of protection that the cover provides.
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After each snowfall, brush the snow off the boat cover. Make it part of your routine along with clearing the driveway and sidewalks. You can use a push broom to drag the snow off the cover.
Don’t let the snow pile up more than a few inches. The more snow on your boat cover, the heavier it weighs and the more likely it will damage the cover.
Don’t wait for the snow to melt off the cover. If it melts and then freezes again, it will turn into ice, which is even heavier than snow and harder on your cover.
This is our first in a series of winter storage tips to help you protect your boat during the harsh winter months.
Winter Boat Storage Tip #1: Never cover your boat cover with a tarp or plastic sheet.
Never cover your boat cover with a tarp,
except for temporary protection.
Why not? Because the
boat cover is designed to “breathe,” or allow moisture to evaporate. With a tarp on top of the cover, the moisture becomes trapped beneath the cover, resulting in moisture damage and promoting the growth of mold and mildew.
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Another reason not to cover the boat cover with a tarp is because tarps are tough to secure tightly enough to keep the wind from lofting the tarp. When the wind catches the tarp, it rubs on the boat cover and wears down the material, leaving thin spots and even holes.
A quality boat cover, on the other hand, is designed for a tight, secure fit. As long as the boat cover is installed correctly, the wind will not be able to tear at or destroy the cover.
The one exception to this rule is if you need to temporarily throw a tarp over the boat cover to protect it for a short period of time, for example, if you are painting the house or doing other home improvement projects near the boat or if you need to protect the boat cover from sap dripping from the trees (although it’s best to avoid parking your boat under trees that are known to drip sap).
Support your boat cover with a PVC frame.
A boat cover support prevents sagging.
Why Use a Boat Cover Support?
To keep water and snow from collecting on your boat cover, you will need to use some type of boat cover support. This support system will keep the cover from sagging and will prevent excess moisture buildup.
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You can either purchase a ready-made boat cover support system, or you can make your own with materials from your local hardware store. Making your own boat cover support is fairly easy, and you can easily customize the fit for your boat.
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Tips on Building Your Own Boat Cover Support
1 1/2 inch PVC pipe is a popular choice for a boat cover frame. It’s sturdier than one inch PVC pipe, so it’s less likely to break under the weight of snow and ice.
Use one long pipe from bow to stern and add several pipes as cross braces from side to side down the length of the boat. Arched PVC pipes can help prevent puddles from forming on your cover. Moisture will slide right off the boat cover and onto the ground.
Here’s another tip to protect your boat cover and boat: If the windshield or other edges are too sharp, cover them with padding, such as foam insulation tubes slit down the middle. This keeps your cover from tearing on sharp edges.
Storing your boat at home is convenient and inexpensive, making it the ideal storage option for many boat owners.
Boat storage at home, such as in the driveway or garage, is convenient for those who have this option available to them. There’s no need to pick your boat up at the storage space before you head to the lake. You can also do any cleaning or maintenance work at your own convenience.
The downside is that storing your boat at home takes up extra room. If garage or driveway storage is inconvenient, consider building a storage shelter or a shed on your property. You could also consider paving a small area to the side of the house or garage where you can park your boat.
If you decide to construct a shelter or make an asphalt or concrete pad, find out whether your local legislation will require a building permit. Check with your local government for laws concerning property development in your area.
Use a quality marine boat cover to protect your boat from damage caused by the elements, especially if you store your boat outside. Another option to consider if you have limited storage options on your property may be to rent or trade favors for storage space at a friend or neighbor’s house.
If you own property on the water and have access to a private dock, you can simply wet dock your boat during the boating season. This is the most convenient option, since your boat is already in the water and ready to go. If you trailer your boat to other locations, having a boat launch near the dock will come in handy.
You may want to consider indoor marine storage during the off-season if you don’t have an enclosed space to store your boat at home, especially if your area is known for its harsh weather during the winter months.
