Boat Storage Mistakes: 7 Costly Errors to Avoid

Highway 75 Parking on Boat Storage Mistakes: 7 Costly Errors to Avoid

Owning a boat is a dream come true for many, but that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you make a few simple mistakes during storage.

Proper boat storage is more than just finding a place to park your vessel for the off-season; it’s a critical part of protecting your investment and ensuring your boat is ready for the water when the weather warms up.

Unfortunately, many boat owners, especially those new to the lifestyle, make common errors that can lead to thousands of dollars in damage.

From cracked engine blocks to rampant mold growth, the consequences of improper boat storage can be severe. The good news is that most of these problems are entirely preventable. By understanding the most common mistakes and taking the time to prepare your boat correctly, you can avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your vessel.

This guide will walk you through the seven most costly boat storage mistakes and provide you with the knowledge you need to keep your boat safe, secure, and ready for your next adventure.

1. Skipping Proper Pre-Storage Cleaning

It’s easy to want to cut corners after a long boating season, but skipping a thorough cleaning before storage is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. It might seem harmless, but leaving salt, dirt, and grime on your boat can cause serious damage over time.

Salt is incredibly corrosive and can eat away at your boat’s gelcoat, metal fittings, and other components. Dirt and debris can trap moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow.

An even bigger mistake is leaving food, drinks, or even scented items on board. These are an open invitation for pests like rodents and insects to make your boat their winter home. They can chew through wiring, destroy upholstery, and leave behind a disgusting mess that is both difficult and expensive to clean up.

Before you even think about putting your boat into storage, you need to give it a top-to-bottom cleaning. Wash the hull, deck, and all exterior surfaces to remove any salt and grime. Clean out the interior completely, removing all food, trash, and personal items. Wipe down all surfaces, vacuum the carpets, and make sure everything is dry. It’s a bit of work, but it’s a critical first step in protecting your investment.

2. Improper Winterization and Engine Care

If you live in a climate with freezing temperatures, proper winterization is not optional—it’s essential. This is arguably the most critical part of boat storage, and getting it wrong can lead to catastrophic engine damage. The most common mistake is not completely draining the water from all systems. When water freezes, it expands by about 10%, and that expansion can easily crack an engine block, burst pipes, and destroy your boat’s plumbing.

Every drop of water needs to be removed from the engine, bilge, livewells, and any other system that holds water. After draining, you need to flush the engine with a non-toxic antifreeze to protect it from any residual moisture.

Another common error is forgetting to add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Over time, gasoline can degrade and leave behind gummy deposits that can clog your fuel lines and carburetor. A fuel stabilizer prevents this from happening and ensures your engine will start smoothly in the spring.

Finally, don’t make the mistake of trusting an inexperienced friend or trying to do it yourself if you’re not 100% confident in what you’re doing. Winterization is a detailed process, and forgetting a single step can have disastrous consequences.

If you’re not an expert, it’s always best to have a professional marine mechanic handle the winterization process. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your engine is protected.

3. Using an Inadequate Cover

Your boat’s cover is its first line of defense against the elements, and choosing the right one is crucial. A common mistake is using a cheap, generic tarp instead of a proper boat cover. These tarps are not designed for long-term outdoor use and will often tear, leak, and trap moisture, creating a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.

They also do a poor job of protecting your boat from the sun’s damaging UV rays, which can cause your gelcoat to fade and your upholstery to crack.

A high-quality, custom-fitted boat cover is a worthwhile investment. It will be made from a breathable, water-resistant material that will keep your boat dry while still allowing air to circulate. This ventilation is key to preventing mold and mildew growth.

If you opt for shrink-wrapping, make sure it’s done by a professional. Improperly installed shrink-wrap can trap moisture and, in a worst-case scenario, can even be a fire hazard if the plastic is ignited during the heating process.

It’s also important to make sure your cover is properly supported. Snow and ice can be incredibly heavy, and if your cover is not supported by a sturdy frame, the weight can damage your boat’s stanchions, windshield, and other components. Don’t make the mistake of thinking any old cover will do. Invest in a quality cover and a proper support system to keep your boat protected all winter long.

4. Neglecting the Electrical System and Battery

The electrical system is one of the most sensitive and often overlooked parts of a boat. During storage, moisture and corrosion can wreak havoc on your wiring, connections, and electronics. A common mistake is leaving the battery connected during storage. Your boat’s electronics will continue to draw a small amount of power, and over a few months, this can completely drain your battery, leaving you with a dead battery in the spring.

To prevent this, you should always disconnect your battery before storage. For best results, remove the battery from the boat and store it in a cool, dry place. Connecting it to a trickle charger will help maintain its charge and extend its life. You should also take the time to inspect all of your electrical connections and protect them from corrosion.

A quick spray with a moisture-displacing lubricant can prevent rust and ensure a good connection when you’re ready to get back on the water. Don’t let a dead battery or a corroded wire ruin your first day of the boating season. A little bit of electrical maintenance before storage can save you a lot of headaches later.

5. Improper Support and Positioning

How your boat is supported during storage is critical to its structural integrity. A common and dangerous mistake is improper placement of jackstands. If the stands are not positioned correctly, they can create pressure points on the hull, leading to distortion or even cracking. The stands should be placed as far out from the boat as practical to provide a wide, stable base, and there should be at least three stands per side for boats over 26 feet.

Another frequent error is placing the jackstands on unstable ground. Asphalt can soften in the sun, and dirt or gravel can become a muddy mess in the spring rains. This can cause the stands to shift, and in a worst-case scenario, your boat could fall.

Always place a piece of sturdy plywood under each jackstand to distribute the weight and provide a stable footing. It’s also a good idea to use safety chains to connect the stands, which will help prevent them from spreading apart. Don’t risk the structural integrity of your boat by cutting corners on its support. Take the time to position the jackstands correctly and ensure they are on solid ground.

6. Ignoring Moisture and Ventilation

Moisture is the enemy of a stored boat. It can lead to mold, mildew, rust, and a host of other problems. A common mistake is sealing the boat up too tightly without providing any ventilation. While you want to keep rain and snow out, you also need to allow air to circulate to prevent condensation and humidity buildup. This is why a breathable boat cover is so important.

Even with a good cover, it’s a good idea to take extra steps to control moisture inside the boat. You can use dehumidifiers, moisture-absorbing products like Dri-Z-Air, or even just a few open boxes of baking soda to help keep the air dry.

Make sure all drains are clear and that there is no standing water anywhere in the boat. Check the bilge, livewells, and any other areas where water can collect. A little bit of moisture can quickly turn into a big mold problem, so be proactive about keeping your boat dry.

7. Choosing an Unsecured Boat Storage Location

After all the work of preparing your boat for storage, the last thing you want is for it to be stolen or vandalized. A final, and critical, mistake is choosing an unsecured location for your boat storage. Leaving your boat in a driveway, a backyard, or an unmonitored lot is a major risk. It becomes an easy target for thieves who can strip it of its valuable electronics, equipment, or even the entire boat and trailer.

When choosing a storage facility, security should be a top priority. Look for a facility that has robust security measures in place, such as perimeter fencing, controlled-access gates, 24/7 video surveillance, and good lighting.

An on-site manager provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a storage location based on price alone. The extra cost of a secure facility is a small price to pay to protect your valuable investment.

Protect Your Investment, Avoid the Headaches

Proper boat storage is an essential part of responsible boat ownership. By avoiding these seven common mistakes, you can protect your boat from damage, extend its life, and ensure it’s ready for the water when you are. It all comes down to being proactive and taking the time to do things right. From thorough cleaning and proper winterization to choosing a secure storage location, every step you take is an investment in the future of your boat.

Don’t let a simple mistake turn your dream boat into a costly nightmare. If you’re not comfortable with any part of the storage process, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

At Highway 75 Parking, we offer secure, reliable boat storage solutions to give you peace of mind. Contact us today to learn how we can help you protect your investment and avoid the common pitfalls of boat storage.

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Why Choose Highway 75 Parking?

At Highway 75 Parking, we prioritize convenience, your safety and peace of mind.

Our facility is designed with truck drivers in mind, offering:

• Ample, Well-Lit Parking Spaces: Ensuring visibility and reducing risks of accidents and theft.

• Advanced Security Measures: Including multiple surveillance cameras monitoring the entrance and main lot.

• Convenient Location: Strategically situated along Highway 75 just 7 miles north of the Walmart Distribution Center at 2849 SE Washington Blvd in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Choose Highway 75 Parking for a secure, reliable, and driver-friendly parking experience.

3849 SE Washington Blvd

Bartlesville, OK 74006