BOAT STORAGE

STORAGE SUGGESTIONS

• Fiberglass boats will "chalk" in time if left in the sun.
If possible, store them in a garage,
car port or cover them with a
breathable tarp.
• When storing your boat, open
all hatches to vent the boat and
prevent moisture which can cause rot,
rust or corrosion. Pull the plug to drain water.
To make sure that you replace the plug before using the boat, attach it to the boat key ring, or
someplace where you can’t miss it.
• Do not store boats under trees. Falling leaves will stain a boat (particularly fiberglass).
Tree sap and bird droppings are also tough to remove.
• Store removable seat cushions inside after cleaning & scrubbing them, treating any mildew spots that
have occurred, and drying them thoroughly.
• Check battery fluid and restore it as required. Check battery terminals and clean with a terminal
brush to maintain good electrical connections.
• Check boat accessories. If you have wood oars or paddles, check them for
roughness, splinters or cracks in the blade.
Replace if required. Check plastic or metal
paddles or oars for signs of wear
that might cause them to fail.
• Check your ropes, lines,
anchors, boat poles, rod holders
and other fishing and boating
accessories. Repair or replace any damaged equipment.
• Check the condition of your life preservers (personal flotation devices – PFD’s), and replace
when required. Sun, saltwater & age will damage PFDs. Note that you must have one for each
person on board, including children, and they must be properly sized for each person.
• When storing your boat, remove the electronics to prevent theft. Keep such instruments inside
to protect them. When removing electronics, protect electrical connections with de-moisturizing
compounds or sprays. Check your lights (bow starboard – green – and port – red and 360 degree
white light) to ensure that they are working.
• If trailering, use a trailer with adequate bunks or beds on which the hull rides, all positioned
appropriately to support your boat. This is most important when fitting a boat to a trailer the
first time. (For a complete guide on trailering, visit TakeMeFishing.org)
• Visually inspect the rest of your boat trailer at this time also. Check tires, tire pressure, hubs,
grease fittings, rust or corrosion on any part of the trailer, tongue, trailer hitch chains, lock, trailer
lights (night, right turn, left turn and braking lights).
• Lastly, check to make sure that your boat sticker or state certification is up to date along with the
trailer license registration.