Winter storage - give me some input

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

So I have two choices, winterize the boat, and shrink wrap it, and store it outdoors. My other choice is to store it indoors in a heated storage space (doesn't drop below 15C). Should I still winterize the boat if I do this, or can I just store it indoors.

My other question is about the tires, should I put the trailer on jackstands to take some of the load off the tires so that they don't flatspot? Should I be concerned about storing the trailer outdoors in the winter?

Tanker Toad · **Joined:** Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:58 pm **Posts:** 71

Three very good threads to start with on your quest for winterizing information

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6800&hilit=blocking

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4642&p=46255&hilit=+winterizing+jack#p46255

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4727&hilit=winterize+indoors

230 Mike · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 4:39 pm

My vote is to always store indoors if that's an option. Whether or not to also winterize depends on how confident you are that the heating system won't fail. I put mine on jack stands the first winter, but haven't since and have seen no ill effects (including flat spots).

SeaBoo · **Joined:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:42 am **Posts:** 93

If you can store it inside. I myself would go ahead and winterize it, I'd rather spend the money and time doing that then for some reason having an extended power outage, losing the heat source, and it freezing. If you plan for the worst it probably won't happen, but if it does you are still in the clear.

I store mine outside and park the trailer tires on plywood (I've heard it helps prevent dry rot, IDK if it does but it makes me feel better).

fiznuka · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:04 pm

Choice is clear :roll:

Winterize and store inside. Three hundred dollars for peace of mind for a $70,000 boat :wink:

Wouldn't even think twice about it.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

It seldom freezes here - i still store mine inside (not climate control though) and winterize. Last season was my first with a fuel injection system, so i do need to figure out how to fog the engine.

In short - store inside nd winterize. I have never put the trailer on stands - after 15 years of boat ownership - never had any issues. If a concern - go pull it two feet after a month or so.

Misterbulbous · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:17 am

I would definitely winterize. You'll sleep better. I store mine in my garage, but even here in Kentucky we had a situation a year or two ago where we lost power for ~30 hours and my garage got down to about 40°. Actually had my kerosene heater running in the garage instead of keeping the house warm!

St. Louis Dave · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:52 am

I store inside heated and don't winterize, plus I'm located right on Lake Michigan! I was very pleased when I asked the right questions to the owner of the marina about their plan for long term power outages. They have the generators and portable heaters needed to keep the building at an ok temp for prolonged periods of time. I'm confident I will not have any issues.

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

fiznuka wrote:

Choice is clear :roll:

Winterize and store inside. Three hundred dollars for peace of mind for a $70,000 boat :wink:

Wouldn't even think twice about it.

This is true.........

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:15 pm

When I saw the title of this thread, I though that Jafo4U had pulled up another old thread during his boring night-shift but no, it is our first winterization thread and it is not even Labor Day yet!!

Rich_230 · **Joined:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:49 pm **Posts:** 4

I would also store it inside if you can afford to. In our neck of the woods, we have Caves where you can store a boat for around $60/mo., which is quite a bit less expensive than my normal 10x30 ft. storage I keep mine in.

I have always winterized and stored indoors.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

298VISTA2000 wrote:

When I saw the title of this thread, I though that Jafo4U had pulled up another old thread during his boring night-shift but no, it is our first winterization thread and it is not even Labor Day yet!!

Very funny and I pray for boring days let me tell you.

powellcrazy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:43 pm

I used to store in heated indoor storage, now, shrink wrap and store in back yard. Cheaper, can work on boat any weekend or time I choose, can take shrink wrap off and go boating without trying to get out of storage, which required a few week notice.

I shrunk wrapped the jet skis this last sunday, boat next month.

www.iFourWinns.com

Winter storage - give me some input

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